RSS vs eMail
Over on SiteProNews Peter Lenkefi has published on article about RSS, and what it needs to push it out of obscurity and into the lime-light. Only about 70% of valid email makes it through the spam filters and white-lists and other techno-traps out there. I no longer will send a long response to an email query, without first sending a short message to be sure further effort will be worth-while. I don’t know how many times I’ve sent a long, well-thought response, just to get an automated email telling me I had to jump some hoops or follow their damn procedure before the intended recipient would be bothered with reading my email. B.S. I NEVER respond to those.
RSS is better in many ways, but only 20% of web users have any RSS feeds. Lenkefi explains why it has taken so long for RSS to make so little progress, and what needs to change. In large measure I agree, but there is one area where RSS just can’t replace email, and email needs to be fixed. Those are one-time contacts. If I have a problem with a product, I want an email telling me how to fix it. I don’t want to establish a long-term relationship with tech support, or add them to some permanent white-list. I want my problem solved, then adios! But if I can’t be sure they will get my email, or that any response will get through to me, email is more obstacle than help and I’ll just use the phone — if they don’t answer it with a damn machine…