Top-posting shenanigans (was: Re: ASR33 $1000+ And Counting...)

From: Scott Stevens <chenmel_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Thu Feb 24 21:03:44 2005

On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 19:11:48 -0500
"Charles H. Dickman" <chd_1_at_nktelco.net> wrote:

> Vintage Computer Festival wrote:
>
> >>IME *typically* the people who top-post come from an environment
> >where>they've only ever used Outlook as their email client. I'm not
> >sure why>that link exists, but it's been my observation.
> >>
> >>
> I would suggest it is because typical Outlook users have had no
> exposure to anything else.
>
> >This is *exactly* where most top-posting comes from.
> >
> >Another thing bad about top-posting is that it encourages lazy
> >behaviour(i.e. not trimming replies).
> >
> >
> >
> At my work we use Outlook and everybody does top-posting. I find it
> quite irritating, but necessary. I have tried interleaving comments
> and trimming replies and it confuses the hell out of people that are
> not used to it. Worst case is they don't even see that I commented.
> When I interleave, I have gotten into the habit of adding a line that
> says, Comments inserted below, so that it is not missed.
>
> Outlook is a beast when trying to insert comments in quoted text. It
> seems to either add a bunch of lines, or demote quotes with a simple
> backspace. Sometimes tools encourage bad behavior.
>
> -chuck
>
>

I once worked at a place where top-posting was required, and message
trimming was strictly prohibited. Someone high up wanted the whole
'history' of a business discussion to carry through each reply.

Needless to say, the company had far more serious pathologies going than
their email policies.

-Scott
Received on Thu Feb 24 2005 - 21:03:44 GMT