[Users] Top posting: not only "poor netiquette" but CONFUSING!!

Paul Hands phands@cadence.com
04 Jul 2003 09:53:28 +0100


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Hi,

I'm not convinced about the top post vs bottom post argument.  I don't
have a problem either way, but actually prefer top posting as the most
recent info is first to be seen - easier if you're following a thread. 
I sometimes feel that the decision to make bottom posting was forced on
the community- probably while it was still young and small.

It IS, however, the standard, accepted netiquette.

So why does evolution's composer put the cursor at the top - making top
posting the default?  :-)
Knode - my news browser puts the reply cusor at the bottom - enforcing
the netiquette.

The answer is that for email, top posting seems to be OK, perhaps even
the accepted norm.  For news, the accepted norm is bottom posting. 
Evolution is a mail tool, not a news tool.  Email lists fall between the
two camps - so maybe both forms are OK??

Paul (tongue firmly in cheek!)


On Thu, 2003-07-03 at 19:02, Elton Woo wrote:

> I notice that quite a few users in this list top post their replies. IMVHO, 
> this is not only "poor netiquette" but _extremely_ CONFUSING.
> 
> For those of you who *don't* understand why, here's an example:
> 
> 
> A: Because it's dangerous.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Q: Why shouldn't one cross the street when the light is red?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> A: No.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Q: Do you always answer a question before you have even
> _read_ what is the problem?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> A: Yes.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Q: Is the above confusing?
> 
> 
> 
> A: ... probably not ....
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Q: Get the point?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> cheers,
> 
> Elton Woo ;-)
> 
>    http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/stats/team/team_4504.html
> "We ALL should make life EASIER for each other."
> LINUX Reg'd User #193975. AMD-K7 ATHLON on board.

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Hi,<BR>
<BR>
I'm not convinced about the top post vs bottom post argument.&nbsp; I don't have a problem either way, but actually prefer top posting as the most recent info is first to be seen - easier if you're following a thread.&nbsp; I sometimes feel that the decision to make bottom posting was forced on the community- probably while it was still young and small.<BR>
<BR>
It IS, however, the standard, accepted netiquette.<BR>
<BR>
So why does evolution's composer put the cursor at the top - making top posting the default?&nbsp; <IMG SRC="cid:1057308516.2700.13.camel@pc-phands.uk.cadence.com" ALIGN="middle" ALT=":-)" BORDER="0"><BR>
Knode - my news browser puts the reply cusor at the bottom - enforcing the netiquette.<BR>
<BR>
The answer is that for email, top posting seems to be OK, perhaps even the accepted norm.&nbsp; For news, the accepted norm is bottom posting.&nbsp; Evolution is a mail tool, not a news tool.&nbsp; Email lists fall between the two camps - so maybe both forms are OK??<BR>
<BR>
Paul (tongue firmly in cheek!)<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
On Thu, 2003-07-03 at 19:02, Elton Woo wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>
<PRE><I>I notice that quite a few users in this list top post their replies. IMVHO, 
this is not only &quot;poor netiquette&quot; but _extremely_ CONFUSING.

For those of you who *don't* understand why, here's an example:


A: Because it's dangerous.





Q: Why shouldn't one cross the street when the light is red?





A: No.




Q: Do you always answer a question before you have even
_read_ what is the problem?






A: Yes.







Q: Is the above confusing?



A: ... probably not ....







Q: Get the point?







cheers,

Elton Woo ;-)

   <A HREF="http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/stats/team/team_4504.html"><U>http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/stats/team/team_4504.html</U></A>
&quot;We ALL should make life EASIER for each other.&quot;
LINUX Reg'd User #193975. AMD-K7 ATHLON on board.</I></PRE>
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