Re: Email addresses in GNOME manuals...

[Pat Costello <Patrick Costello sun com>]

> 
> Hi Sasha,
> 
> As you know, the current templates for GNOME online manuals include a
> section for the email address of the author. I'd like to suggest that we
> make this address optional in the templates. There are two reasons why
> I'm suggesting this, as follows:
> 
> * Since the Sun docteam address has been circulated on manuals, we've
> seen a considerable increase in SPAM to that address. I'm sure other
> authors have noticed the same thing.
> 
> * The author's email address detracts attention from the real link that
> users should be using to provide feedback, ie. the GNOME Feedback Page.
> We have received feedback about applications and manuals directly to the
> email address given at the top of the manual and when I've tried to
> forward the feedback onto the developers, I've found that a lot of email
> addresses for them are obsolete. It would be better if the only point of
> contact the user has is via the Feedback page. That way, the feedback
> gets directed to the appropriate person automatically. 
> 
> What do you think? If you agree, I can update the templates to make it
> clear that the author's email address is optional. 
> 
> Regards,
> -Irene

I have to echo Irene's comments. I've received some very dubious spam via the 
email address that we have put into GNOME documentation. OK, we can delete spam 
and no harm done, but it is irritating. I think Irene's second point is 
potentially more serious. We have already received several requests for 
technical support from GNOME users, via the email address on GNOME manuals. At 
the same time, we have had no feedback at all about the manuals themselves. 
Therefore, as the GNOME desktop becomes more popular, as inevitably will happen, 
then this trend could generate a stream of support requests to the documentation 
teams. Let's make the author's email address optional. 

Pat