Actually the request was for objectivity... but the honesty is appreciated, anyway.

Per definition, ones thoughts on most things are highly subjective - even though,as I tried as well, one can try to keep an objective view on things.
I'm not aginst the program - I am just struggling to, in my subjectively objective ways, see how it could work. Good luck regardless.

It began working when the first volunteers edited signatures and went out into the wild... no luck required.

I wo

l would argue that just because someone puts something in their signaure is not an evidence of a concept 'working'. Maybe even this poll is a reflection of that...

Anyway, to be somewhat constructive, even though that last post didn't exactly entice that as it's 'working' and '...no luck required':

Instead of just having people decide that they want to be a greeter why not place some more rule-sets around it. A rules of conduct was brought up.

Every six months, or when there's a need, go out and ask for volunteers.
Create a poll where people can vote on the candidates.
Open-source, open community. People can look up posts-thanks ratio, posting history, etc before they cast their vote.

Make the Greeter Post a sticky in the Community forum.

Silvermountain I think you may be simply overlooking the innate value of helpful links being dispersed throughout the forum. That was the simple premise here... the Greeter signatures are like a viral help desk-- spreading, multiplying and easily identified as useful resources for anyone who encounters them.

But that's already well explained in the original thread. I do appreciate any and all feedback and will return the focus to that.

What we really need is a few of the more recent Newcomers to tell us whether they found it helpful. Sadly, they might not find their way here.

This is the reason why I proposed a Maemo Greeter's Office, like a separate site where Greeters "on duty" are available to answer to newbie's questions, chat-way or irc-way.

This should be adequately advertised on the maemo.org site, and maybe could have a widget on the maemo device(s).

This is a personal reflection, but fwiw I felt a slightly larger responsibility than just spreading the links. I would have liked to be more knowledgeable and able to answer questions. If others feel the same way maybe that is something to consider when constructing guidelines for greeters and the program in general.

I'm really encouraged by comments like yours, because that assures me there really is value to the program.

I'm not sure to what extent your suggestion should be formalized though... the main thing to consider is that this concept is so basic, so simple that even a brand-new member who knows nothing of Maemo or the devices could edit their signature and immediately start helping others find their way!

However I also want to motivate Greeters to grow into superusers of some sort, as well as offer a higher level of help if they feel so led. So IMO that should be little more than a suggestion on the Greeter page. But we'll see!

I'd agree with nymajoak. There ought to be more to the greeter's programme thab just wearing the T shirt.

I came in this evening to a PM from a new user asking a question about the Maemo news. I didn't have a good answer (why isn't the news fileterd by date order?) but it was good to connect. It was pretty clear from the PM he(?)'d picked me to PM because of the greeter thing.

That means Greeters do need to be a bit more careful how we respond to new people: courtesy and patience like any 'front of house' customer service people, even if we don't have answers. In an ideal world, we'd get quickly skilled up in answering the basic questions.

Hint to Nokia: how about expediting delivery to greeters so we can answer questions?