OT email response format (was Re: TTL computing)

From: Andy Holt <andyh_at_andyh-rayleigh.freeserve.co.uk>
Date: Tue Apr 16 06:11:37 2002

Aaargh - INCOMING!!!

Marvin Johnston [marvin_at_rain.org] said
> I disagree :). Too many times, a mile and a half of quoted text starts
> out the message. I don't care to take the time to scroll down, but
> prefer to see the meat of what is being said at the top. It is
> especially annoying when the subject line doesn't reflect the message
> content ... which is most of the time.
>
So the regular argument now resurfaces on this list.
There is an irreconcilable disagreement between the "old-style" users who
got used to mailing lists with command-line tools for whom the bottom
posting is truly more convenient and the newer users of packages like
Outlook, Netscape, or other "web-style" tools which usually handle threading
quite well and always start by displaying the top of the message - these
users tend to prefer top posting.

The old guard point out the RFC as justification for their attitude - but
then it was written before the more modern tools became popular.

In complex cases bottom (interleaved) posting is necessary, and I have used
that technique in this case (even though it is not really necessary) to
minimise the heat in the flame war.

Enough said

Andy
Received on Tue Apr 16 2002 - 06:11:37 BST