Tim,
I think we're debating two different points here. I'm saying it's
easier to hit the reply button in Outlook if what you're making is a
top-post. (I'm also often posting from my blackberry, where it's
IMPOSSBLE to bottom-post.) I'm also saying that the way _I_ read the
list, top posting is not an issue for me.
You're saying it's easier for you to read bottom-posted messages and
that you sometimes don't reply to a message if you can't figure out the
original question. I don't see these two points as contradictory in any
way. I see them as backing up my point that it is a matter of
preference.
As to my point of "requiring top posting might decrease the number of
responses" point being specious (which means it looks good, but is
actually deceptive), I do disagree with that based on this: If I was
forced to bottom-post, I would post less. (Remember on the blackberry
you CAN'T bottom-post.) I can't be the only person that is like that.
What I'm hearing YOU say is that more bottom-posting/quoting would
increase the number of posts from you. (And you can't be the only
person who is like that.) So...
I think we would lose some and gain others if we enforced one way or the
other. The only question is how many would we lose and gain?
_I_ tend to prefer the "can't we all just get along" method. If
somebody's particular style (not just bottom or top posting) of replying
is hard to read, how about we send them a friendly note telling them
that, rather than enforcing a particular way?
Just my $0.02.
---
W. Curtis Preston
Backup Blog @ www.backupcentral.com
VP Data Protection, GlassHouse Technologies
-----Original Message-----
From: EMC NetWorker discussion [mailto:NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU] On
Behalf Of Tim Mooney
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 1:32 PM
To: NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Subject: Re: [Networker] Top-posting and quoting
In regard to: Re: [Networker] Top-posting and quoting, Curtis Preston
said...:
> If we required (or strongly encouraged) bottom posting, then some
people
> might just not post, and we don't want that, right?
I personally think that's a specious argument with plenty of
counter-arguments, but ultimately my opinion on this issue doesn't
matter.
Since Stan runs the list and Temple hosts it, I think it's a decision
for
the folks at Temple.
I know that when I ask a question on a mailing list, I do everything I
can
think of to make it easy for someone to read my question and try help me
solve the problem I'm asking about. If I make it too hard for someone
to use a bit of their spare time (which is always a very scarce and
valuable commodity) to help me out, then I've just reduced the chances
that I'm going to get help with my problem.
In the past several months, there were plenty of posts to this
list that I've just glanced at and then deleted without trying to help,
primarily because it wasn't going to be easy to read. Top-posting
often figured into that decision.
Tim
--
Tim Mooney Tim.Mooney AT ndsu DOT edu
Information Technology Services (701) 231-1076 (Voice)
Room 242-J6, IACC Building (701) 231-8541 (Fax)
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5164
To sign off this list, send email to listserv AT listserv.temple DOT edu and
type "signoff networker" in the body of the email. Please write to
networker-request AT listserv.temple DOT edu if you have any problems with this
list. You can access the archives at
http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/networker.html or
via RSS at http://listserv.temple.edu/cgi-bin/wa?RSS&L=NETWORKER
To sign off this list, send email to listserv AT listserv.temple DOT edu and
type "signoff networker" in the body of the email. Please write to
networker-request AT listserv.temple DOT edu if you have any problems with this
list. You can access the archives at
http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/networker.html or
via RSS at http://listserv.temple.edu/cgi-bin/wa?RSS&L=NETWORKER
|
