Re: House Call

["Robert Holmgren" holmgren@xxxxxxxx]

** Reply to message from "Patricia M. Godfrey"
 on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:28:53 -0400


> Irene Silverman wrote:
> > I am following this advice but WITH the request for a house call. I
> > apologize, but honestly I don't want to learn how to do it, I just want
> > it done.
>
> And then, when you have to replace that Mac (even Macs die or
> become obsolete), you'll have to pay someone all over again. I
> understand that people often have impossible schedules (I do
> myself), but... Well, what's the old cliché about teaching
> someone to fish?

Umm... I'm stumped -- what is the old cliché about teaching
someone to fish?

Irene, I can certainly understand the sentiment that "I don't
want to learn how to do it, I just want it done". Perhaps you
saw Dick Cavett's 1970 interview with Katherine Hepburn, during
which she reproved the stagehands for a faulty microphone,
saying "Don't tell me what's wrong, just fix it!" That is, I
suppose, a large reason why people buy Macs -- "Macs just work".
Regrettably, XyWrite does not "just work", even on a DOS or
Windows PC. The main (some might say only) reason to use it is
configurability -- which is not merely an option but a
necessity. So if you want Mac convenience, you're using the
wrong word processor. Doubtless you have your reasons for using
it, but... the fact is, nobody is coming to your house (or at
best, it's unlikely). So, if this is important to you, then you
need to set aside an hour or two and do some learning and then
some implementing. Otherwise it isn't likely to happen. The
nice part is that people here are happy to help and guide you.

-----------------------------
Robert Holmgren
holmgren@xxxxxxxx
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