linuxgeek: Re: [LINUX_Newbies] TOP vs BOTTOM POSTING

Monday, October 26, 2009

Re: [LINUX_Newbies] TOP vs BOTTOM POSTING

Netiquette of course is great, but it assumes an even playing field. It
assumes that everyone is accessing the same material the same way which is
no longer true. These rules were written when computer bulletin boards were
the rage, before the www. Everything was text based, everyone used a desktop
computer and there was no email.

Now some people use netbooks with small screens and some people even use
cell phones. It also assumes that users are accessing the material through
the forum, but many people use email which is quite different depending on
the programme or the email site. I may be using Gmail while someone else
will use Yahoo, and another using Evolution, Kmail or Thunderbird. Each one
offers a different experience.

In forums I prefer inline posting so that you can respond specifically. This
is impractical in Gmail as the formatting goes crazy and people get all
kinds of mess on the other end. This happens because you are breaking the
html structure. The forums are mostly text based.

I prefer top posting to bottom posting because discussions can get quite
long and it is a pain to scroll to the bottom every time, especially on a
netbook. I can't even begin to imagine doing it on a cell phone. It is nice
to see the most recent discussion first because many people follow from the
start and I see no need to rehash it every single time.

If people do not want to read what you write simply because you do not
follow their rigid views then they can't be much interested in getting help,
helping others or joining discussions. That is unfortunate, but their views
are probably equally rigid on other things and discussing things with them
may be akin to banging your head on a wall since there is no give and take.

This discussion is repetitive and cyclical. People who follow the rules are
assuming (incorrectly) that the rules are rational and sensible so get their
nose out of joint. After all what's the point of having a rule if it isn't
being obeyed? If the rule isn't being obeyed then we need to find out why
and revisit the rules. Usually there is a sensible explanation.

The point is that Yahoo encourages people to get the information outside of
the forum by email in not one but two formats (digest and individual). Once
you leave the forum the situation changes and so should the rules. We still
need to be considerate and all of that, but the posting rules should be
tailored to the method by which you access the information. We need to be
practical.

Top posting from me eeePC,
Roy

2009/10/26 Clayton Bonser <claybonser@netspace.net.au>

>
>
> On Mon, 2009-10-26 at 01:44 -0500, Drmgiver wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Just pointing out that what you did was bottom post right? Oh, and I
> > would just like to point out that I cannot trim quoted text on my HTC
> > G1 as far as I know. But again, following along top posting is not
> > that difficult. For example, do you really need to look at the quoted
> > txt to follow along this conversation? Or any other email conversation
> > for that matter? Again, your not that dumb. "Oh my God I can't
> > remember what I was just talking about 2 hours ago! What am I going to
> > do?!" Really, if you can't remember what it is you were talking about
> > two hours ago, especially after reading the topic line, you got more
> > problems than anyone here can help you with.
> >
> > Justin
> >
>
> Seems to me that you just didn't get it.
>
> Here it is again.
>
> The vast majority of people who offer their help for free ask you to
> help them by bottom posting, or where appropriate, adding comments in
> line.
>
> Almost all of these people aren't just helping here on the newbies list,
> they also help on many other lists as well. Some receive over three
> hundred messages a day. The idea of trimming and keeping relevant
> comments goes a long way in refreshing memories.
>
> On the subject of your computer not having even the most basic editing
> facilities. That's your problem, and not for you to foist onto others.
> Linux software is mostly free (cost wise). Get something that works.
>
> The bottom line is this; if you can't be bothered making the jobs of
> those who volunteer time and a deep knowledge of the subject easier in
> helping you, then they may well not be bothered helping you. And if that
> becomes the case, serves you right.
> All I've heard from you sounds too much like a whine from another who
> wants to do as they please without consideration for others. Get over
> yourself. A little co-operation goes a long way.
>
> Clay.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>

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