On Tue, 06 May 2008 15:34:22 -0400 Twayne wrote: > Q: But if I already know what the question was, why force me to > read it again? I'd rather see the answer.
1. Because the list is achived and anyone searching the list may not know the question beforehand as you do. 2. Because you are not the only one reading the email, so personal preferences need to be set aside in favour of uniformity. 3. Because not all email clients are created equal. Some set the blinker at the top for reply, some at the bottom, some are even configurable. 4. Because client implimented quotation marks allow you to identify the answer from the question especially where your email client colours quoted text. 5. Because the mailing list guidelines have requested a certain way be followed and doing so will provide a more professional level of uniformity. http://www.openoffice.org/ml_guidelines.html *** Replying When replying to other people it is customary to intersperse your response with their questions, both so you can answer the actual question that was asked, and so everyone else has some idea what you are talking about. It is also customary to limit your quoting to the minimum possible to get your point across. Take the time to be considerate, remember those subscribers who have slow, expensive connections. *** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Inline_replying I will however top post on a top posting thread if i see that conforming will prevent the thread degrading into an unreadable dogs breakfast. ++++++++++ Why have i replied on this topic when it has been done to death in the past? Because newer posters/list members may not understand the reasoning behind the guidelines. So emotional preferences aside, it does actually pay to re-apply the logic whenever these arguments ensue. We will always get new list-members and new question askers who do not understand nor ever have met the technique, and allowances need to be made for them. ++++++++++ Why have i changed the subject line? Again from the mailing list guidelines: *** Stay on topic When the context of the message changes, be sure to change the subject line, or your mail may not be read by many subscribers. *** -- Michael All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well - Julian of Norwich 1342 - 1416 --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
