On Sun, 19 Jan 2003, Peter Finderup Lund wrote: >> The web CGI on XFree86.org that allows people to submit bug >> reports here. Also, I believe the list allows people to email >> reports here without being subscribed. >> >> When someone on the list reads a report, there isn't always an >> easy way to know if the reporter is subscribed or not to the >> list. As such, a reply might get sent back only to the list, and >> the original reporter might not ever see it. > >That's what dawned upon me, too, a couple of days ago. > >> Any ideas for how this situation might be improved? > >Is it possible to send a prewritten mail back to people the first time >they post here (if they are not subscribed)? > >Is it possible to include [UNSUBSCRIBED] or similar in the subject?
Personally, I'd like the [XFree86] in the subject to take a hike. It's totally unnecessary. People use it for sorting email into folders, but GNU mailman managed mailing lists contain another header which is just for this purpose. In procmailesque: :0: ^X-BeenThere:.*[EMAIL PROTECTED] xfree86 That files this mailing list into a folder named "xfree86" with procmail. It is a shame that GNU mailman mailing lists default to this braindead Subject: [listname] behaviour, when there are other mechanisms that are JUST as simple to sort out mail into folders and without cluttering the subject line (of which is short enough as is, in particular for those who read mail on an 80x25 display). Oh oh. I've done it now. I started the [listname] in the subject line is evil thread! You know, the one that happens on every mailing list at some point in time or another, and results in a massive flamewar that goes on for 3 days to a week until it ends when someone invokes Godwin's law? Well, since this similar issue came up on the devel@ mailing list last week, I thought what the heck, why not mention it here too. ;o) So, my preference would be to have zero [anything] clogging the subject line, since those things don't really have anything to do with the "subject" or "context" of the actual message, which is what the Subject: line is intended for. Sorting mail can be done with the proper headers. On the [UNSUBSCRIBED] idea - again, not needed in the subject line. Why not just have the CGI webform add to the top of the body of the message: "This message was submitted via web form, and the user may not be subscribed. Responders should keep the poster in the carbon copy field to insure they receive responses" or something to that effect perhaps. Anyway, it's just an idea. As for the [listname] damage, I've got a procmail rule that removes that stuff from any mailing list on the receiving end rather than the sending end. So, I'm ultimately happy either way. ;o) >Would it be a good idea if the XFree86 error messages didn't >state an email address but a URL to a webpage that contains >explanations, info on the most common errors, a suggestion to >search the mailing list, links to the archives and only THEN a >link to the subscription page for xfree86? (it should skip the >page with all the mailing lists on the site) That is a GREAT idea! In fact, it is so good, I think I'm going to patch up our X server to do just that in the future. If the XFree86 team would accept some vendor/distro neutral patches that would enable any vendor to override those messages and point people to elsewhere, I'd be more than glad to whip up such a solution and submit it. If anyone is interested, lemme know your suggestions please. -- Mike A. Harris _______________________________________________ XFree86 mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://XFree86.Org/mailman/listinfo/xfree86
