As Monty Python would say, Keith Bainbridge, "You are a very Naughty
Boy". Posted top and bottom so take your choice.
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]
As Monty Python would say, Keith Bainbridge, "You are a very Naughty
Boy". Posted top and bottom so take your choice.
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