I must agree with the "top posting" proposition. It would seem very
counter intuitive to scroll to the bottom of a message, read the message
moving down the script and then scroll up to read the previous message,
constantly repeating the process, up down, up down sometimes almost ad
infinitum with active lists. It would seem logical to start reading the
latest addition to the list and continue scrolling down to read previous
posts if required.
As far as I can determine the "top posting" was made a "rule" by someone
that became annoyed with persons contributing to lists by "top posting"
when they had personally decided that "bottom posting" was the right
way. Numerous reasons are put forward as to why "bottom posting" is
best, most of these reasons are based on pre-internet communication
methods, reading books etc. Rules applying to typewriters, fax machines,
ticker-tape and verbal conversations shouldn't be used to control the
use of internet communications.
I personally prefer "top posting" both for reading and replying but I am
perfectly able to accommodate either, I certainly would not berate
anyone that did not comply with my preference.It would be interesting to
know if this the accepted reply format in languages other than US English.
On 12/02/2010 6:41 PM, Keith R Bainbridge wrote:
Good afternoon all, particularly the moderators
I have been criticised a few times for top posting on this list. I haven't
participated much since the last critic.
I started work in 1963. I was told that I just missed out using nibs that you
dip into an ink well.
My first recollections of keeping records were handwritten notes on plain
paper. I progressed to typing and then computerised records. Back to the paper
- we wrote down the page (of course). However the pages were filed latest on
top. The idea being that when I opened a file I wanted to see the most recent
notes to remind me what had happened recently. When I needed to know more
history I opened the older pages.
When I moved to computerised record keeping this principle has proven better
than the concept of scrolling to the bottom of the 'page' to see what happened
in my last discussion. I am not alone in this thinking. Some data managers
built specially for my work follow this principle.
Which leads me to why some dislike top posting. If I am following a long
thread the last thing I want to do is page down over the information I have
read before. I want to simply read the new bit that some kind person has added.
(If I need a reminder of what has gone before, I simply scroll. But if I am
interested in the thread this rarely happens.) If a thread becomes complex,
answers should be inserted where they are relevant.
Surely if I thank somebody for their help, they are entitled to see my thanks
quickly.
I suspect this will start a flame or two, but I am passionate about this.
Comments please.
Keith Bainbridge
PO Box 324
BELMONT Vic 3216
+61 (0)408 522 706
[email protected]
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