Date: Thu, 7 May 1998 18:40:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Studded <Studded@san.rr.com> To: freebsd-bugs@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: misc/6537: New improved motd, take 2 Message-ID: <199805080140.SAA13724@freefall.freebsd.org>
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The following reply was made to PR misc/6537; it has been noted by GNATS. From: Studded <Studded@san.rr.com> To: Doug White <dwhite@resnet.uoregon.edu> Cc: freebsd-gnats-submit@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: misc/6537: New improved motd, take 2 Date: Thu, 07 May 1998 18:40:50 -0700 Doug White wrote: > > On Thu, 7 May 1998, Studded wrote: > > Thanks for kicking this around, however my grammar-teacher instinct wants > to bash this a bit ... > > > Please see the Releases page at http://www.FreeBSD.ORG/releases/ for > > any security advisories or updated information regarding this release. > > This doesn't quite flow right, and it implies a one-or-the-other feeling. > How about replacing `or' with `and': Because I don't want people complaining when they go to the page and don't find one or the other. :) I also want to make it as friendly and non-threatening as possible. > Please see the Releases page at http://www.FreeBSD.ORG/releases/ for > any security advisories and updated information regarding this release. > > Or try this simplification: > > Please see the Releases page at http://www.FreeBSD.ORG/releases/ for > updated information regarding this release. This is better than the second one, but the idea of making it "security.. or updated info" was to imply that it's important enough to check out that URL without creating a sense of panic. > Is this too generic if I s/updated/important/?: > > Please see the Releases page at http://www.FreeBSD.ORG/releases/ for > important information regarding this release. > > Am I spending too much time on this? :-) No, I don't think so at all. As I said the first time around, your idea of using the motd to communicate this information is a very good one. Creating just the right atmosphere while also communicating the importance of the subject matter is a delicate balance. > > If you require technical assistance: > > 1. Please consult the releases page mentioned above. > ^^^^^^ > I think Please is a little redundant here. Just > > 1. Consult the Errata section of the Releases page mentioned above. > > should be sufficient. We're offering a list of suggestions, not imploring > the user to do something, like we are at the top since we would really > like them to check this page first-thing out-of-the-box. Actually your second point reinforces the importance of making the request polite but firm. "Please do this.." gives a sense of "here is how we have prepared for the goal of you helping yourself, so go do it" in my mind... it also makes it more friendly. > The change to #2 is fine. I assume everyone is okay with dropping the > sysinstall bit. Why drop it? The average new user isn't even going to know where to begin looking for '/stand/sysinstall.' Doug To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-bugs" in the body of the message
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