Top Eleven Inane Questions (in no particular order)

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

1) Is there a viewer?
2) Why can't I print borderless?
3) Why can't I open files from a different version?
4) Why can't I save across a network?
5) How do I save as PDF?
6) Why does my printer not work with Publisher? It works with
Word/Excel/Access, etc.
7) Why are my Publisher 2000 files so large?
8) I have Picture It Publisher. Why can't I open pub files?
9) Why can't I see any pictures?
10) I can't change pages in my document!
11) It tells me it can't open publications from a different version, but
the versions are the same! Why?!


All are usually subject-line-only and none state what version is being used.
I've probably missed a few, but those are my top ten.

 

[Mary Sauer]

Maybe once a month you can supply a Publisher FAQ... with the answers. Inane to you
maybe, but to those who need this help... Why do you hang out here?

 

[Erika]

1) Is there a viewer?
2) Why can't I print borderless?
3) Why can't I open files from a different version?
4) Why can't I save across a network?
5) How do I save as PDF?
6) Why does my printer not work with Publisher? It works with
Word/Excel/Access, etc.
7) Why are my Publisher 2000 files so large?
8) I have Picture It Publisher. Why can't I open pub files?
9) Why can't I see any pictures?
10) I can't change pages in my document!
11) It tells me it can't open publications from a different version, but
the versions are the same! Why?!


All are usually subject-line-only and none state what version is being used.
I've probably missed a few, but those are my top ten.

That's it! That's the FAQ we've been looking for! These are the
questions that are repeated over and over by newbies. Type in the
answers and post it somewhere. Notify the newsgroup once a week "Be sure
to check our FAQ first at xyz.com before you post your questions here."

 

[Mike Hall]

1) Is there a viewer?.. Yepper..
2) Why can't I print borderless?.. Because my inkjet printer won't
allow it..
3) Why can't I open files from a different version?.. didn't know that
I couldn't..
4) Why can't I save across a network?.. the CAT5 cable is too long and
has kinks in it..
5) How do I save as PDF?.. have enough problems saving as ,pub..
6) Why does my printer not work with Publisher? It works with
Word/Excel/Access, etc. .. my mom said never to answer trick
questions..
7) Why are my Publisher 2000 files so large?.. too many pics pasted
in?.. 8) I have Picture It Publisher. Why can't I open pub files?.. I
do?.. I can't?.. 9) Why can't I see any pictures?.. not getting caught
with this one.. there aren't any, are there.. 10) I can't change pages
in my document!.. change them into what?.. 11) It tells me it can't
open publications from a different version, but the versions are the same!
Why?!.. SP2 did it..

All are usually subject-line-only and none state what version is being
used. I've probably missed a few, but those are my top ten.

Great quiz.. how did I do?

Mike

 

[JoAnn Paules]

You aced it! Congrats.

 

[DavidF]

Mary, I agree that these questions are far from inane, and that Sarah is
being her usual irrational, negative self. With that said, I think it would
be very helpful to include these questions in a FAQ page. While you already
have a FAQ page at the PublisherMVPS.com site, it could be improved. If you
go the FAQ page and look at the FAQ sections, maybe its me, but I can see no
logical or obvious choice to get answers to Sarah's top ten.

http://www.publishermvps.com/Default.aspx?tabid=28

While the different sections do offer some good information, perhaps add the
FAQ format David Bartosik uses for the Publisher Web Design section:

http://www.publishermvps.com/Default.aspx?tabid=30

Once it was developed and posted, it wouldn't take much if any maintenance,
and would be easy to add questions, as David has.

Anyway, I am not suggesting that YOU do this in all your free time <g>, but
if someone did it, then it might save a lot of time in the future, and
address the frustration people like Sarah is feeling. Who knows, if the MVPs
give her a link to paste and post, maybe she will quit dumping on people...

back to lurking now...

DavidF

..

Maybe once a month you can supply a Publisher FAQ... with the answers. Inane to you
maybe, but to those who need this help... Why do you hang out here?

 

[Mike Koewler]

David,

Good idea, but if these posters cannot take the time to scan the last
day's messages, why would they think to check a FAQ? I've seen the same
question posted an hour after it was answered in another thread.

Look at it this way: the newbies to this group won't read Sarah's post
any more than they will read the 20 answers to there questions that have
appeared in 20 different posts in the past ten days.

Mike

 

[Mary Sauer]

Hello DavidF,
I don't maintain the web page, I barely can maintain the miserable site of my own.
Doing it will be helpful if posters would refer to it. There are variables,
especially the Norton issue. One poster had the problem with McAfee.

I will work on this when I can remove the chain from the kitchen stove. I am being
invaded by relatives and assorted other folks. Why is it grown children decide they
are now guests and not helpers? Thanks for giving me a chance to whine...


--
Mary Sauer MS MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/

Mary, I agree that these questions are far from inane, and that Sarah is
being her usual irrational, negative self. With that said, I think it would
be very helpful to include these questions in a FAQ page. While you already
have a FAQ page at the PublisherMVPS.com site, it could be improved. If you
go the FAQ page and look at the FAQ sections, maybe its me, but I can see no
logical or obvious choice to get answers to Sarah's top ten.

http://www.publishermvps.com/Default.aspx?tabid=28

While the different sections do offer some good information, perhaps add the
FAQ format David Bartosik uses for the Publisher Web Design section:

http://www.publishermvps.com/Default.aspx?tabid=30

Once it was developed and posted, it wouldn't take much if any maintenance,
and would be easy to add questions, as David has.

Anyway, I am not suggesting that YOU do this in all your free time <g>, but
if someone did it, then it might save a lot of time in the future, and
address the frustration people like Sarah is feeling. Who knows, if the MVPs
give her a link to paste and post, maybe she will quit dumping on people...

back to lurking now...

DavidF

.

 

[Brian Kvalheim [MSFT MVP]]

While the different sections do offer some good information, perhaps
add the FAQ format David Bartosik uses for the Publisher Web Design
section:

I'm working on it.
--
Brian Kvalheim
Microsoft Publisher MVP
http://www.publishermvps.com
~pay it forward~

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Do you prefer a white whine or a sparkling burgundy whine? ;-)

 

[Mike Hall]

Brian

You and the other MVP's do a great job.. let nobody tell you different..

David F

If you constructed an FAQ with 1000 issues, somebody would come up with 1001
and ask why the FAQ can't be more comprehensive..

Mike

You are right in your assumption about people reading through posts.. there
are many similar problems.. only the wording is different.. but that is how
people identify that their problem is different, even though essentially, it
isn't..

Mary

Break the chain.. arrive early Christmas morning at your kid's home and ask
when the festivities start.. .. and your website is ok.. a hell of a lot
more than most do.. the mighty oak tree starts life as an acorn..

JoAnn

A nice Medoc, Haut Medoc or St Emilion would be nice, or maybe something
classic from the Graves Region.. Chateau Carbonnieux do a fantastic red, but
it is limited in supply..

Miss

You still haven't marked my paper.. I just can't live with myself until I
know how well I did..

To all of you guys

Without your tireless support and time given, many would struggle and become
very frustrated.. reading the FINE manual can be confusing.. it's like a
dictionary.. how can you look something up if you have no idea how to spell
it..

Have a great Christmas, Holiday.. whatever it is called in your part of the
world..

Mike Hall

 

[Erika]

Do you prefer a white whine or a sparkling burgundy whine? ;-)

LOL

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Bless you Mike - and may you and yours have a happy whatever you celebrate.
And if you don't celebrate anything - have a happy one anyway.

(And I'll keep the wine recommendations handy even tho I get thoroughly
snockered on a single small glass. And then I laugh at everything.)

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

 

[DavidF]

Mike, I can't agree that posters don't read Sarah's response to their posts.
While they may not check out a FAQ page, the Help files, the MS knowledge
base or read through the newsgroup for the same, or other similar questions
prior to posting their question, I think the evidence shows that many if not
most usually do come back and read the response to their posts. Don't you
think that at least some of them would follow a link to a FAQ page if that
was included in a response to their post? Don't you think offering a link to
a FAQ page which would answer their question and introduce them to another
helpful resource would be more constructive than slamming a Newbie for
asking a redundant question or not checking the other resources available to
them?

I am not suggesting that a FAQ page is a cure all, but it could be helpful
to not only the posters, but also those of you that want to help, but have
grown frustrated and impatient with redundant questions. I guess I prefer
the 'glass is half full' perspective.

DavidF

 

[DavidF]

Mike,

I must respond because I certainly hope my suggestion about expanding a FAQ
page didn't suggest that I don't respect and value all the time and energy
the MVPs and others contribute here. I follow this newsgroup because of all
the valuable information provided.

I also am not suggesting that an expanded FAQ page is a cure all...just that
it could be another useful resource. I thought FAQ meant 'frequently asked
questions', and I suspect there are more than 10 but doubt that there are
1000.

DavidF

 

[DavidF]

Mary,

I agree that a FAQ page will never answer all the questions, deal with all
the variables, or ever replace the most excellent individualized help you
and others provide. Nor am I suggesting that it is cure all...just that an
expanded FAQ page might be another useful resource to take some of the load
off you and others that help here. I have noticed that after David Bartosik
responds with a link to his FAQ page, if the poster responds, they typically
offer a better worded question with more details about the variables
involved with their issue. I have also noticed that some posters will
actually reference his FAQ page and the steps they have taken to try to
solve their problem. So at least some of the time, folks are following the
link to his FAQ page and reviewing that material before they post their
follow up questions, and even their first question. It does seem to save him
a lot of time and frustration.

You go ahead and whine all you want to...it is a lot of work...no doubt, but
I doubt if you would have it any other way. My Mother is gone now, but she
used to complain a bit too about all the work, until we had to move her into
an assisted care facility. Then she lamented about the good old days when
she was able to provide for all the people that came home for
Christmas....as did we. I hope your family and all those folks that you
provide for this holiday season show you the respect and thanks that you
deserve. Have a great holiday, and thank you for all the work you do here.

DavidF

 

[DavidF]

Brian, you go boy... Thanks for all the work you do here, and have a great
Holiday. DavidF