[XCSSA] Stop mailing list bloat!

[X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio]

On May 22, 2009, at 11:40 AM, X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio  
wrote:

> X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio wrote:
>>> Please, please, PLEASE edit your responses instead of just top- 
>>> posting
>>> with the ENTIRE LIST DIGEST.  I'm tired to getting 50k digests with
>>> only two messages, but they BOTH QUOTE THE ENTIRE DIGEST  
>>> CONTAINING THE
>>> PREVIOUS MESSAGE.
>>>
>>> A. It makes mailing list discussions difficult to follow.
>>> Q. Why is top-posting contrary to good netiquette?
>>>
>>
>> While I apprecaite your spirit and passion for the topic (though I  
>> don't
>> necessarily agree to always bottom post, particularly when other  
>> people do
>> not follow suit or do not understand), I feel the need to counter  
>> your
>> request by saying please avoid using all caps for entire setences.  
>> I think
>> your point can be quite realized with good use of rhetoric, logic,  
>> and
>> reason.
>>
>> A. It makes my eyes bleed. And I really do have a more difficult time
>> reading your sentence. You also come off as a douche.
>> Q. Why should I avoid using caps?
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> XCSSA mailing list
>> XCSSA at xcssa.org
>> http://xcssa.org/mailman/listinfo/xcssa
>>
>>
>>
>>
> Most of us on this list (I think) are computer professionals.  From my
> experience at the meetings, I believe most of us have CS or  
> engineering
> degrees.  As such we tend to look at the world a little differently  
> than
> others.  Please review: http://www.dtcc.edu/cs/rfc1855.html.  This is
> not a mandatory RFC, but it has many good points.  Please take it,  
> read
> it, evaluate it, and do with it as you wish.  In e-mail all caps is
> shouting.  No one likes to be shouted at.

Although the document does not explicitly say always top post:

"If you are sending a reply to a message or a posting be sure you  
summarize the original at the top of the message, or include just  
enough text of the original to give a context. This will make sure  
readers understand when they start to read your response. Since  
NetNews, especially, is proliferated by distributing the postings from  
one host to another, it is possible to see a response to a message  
before seeing the original. Giving context helps everyone. But do not  
include the entire original!"

It implies doing so, but where the comma is and with the or seems to  
indicate to top post OR include enough of the message. So that could  
use some rewording if we are strictly following the guidelines. I  
think I'm splitting hairs here :) And yes, I am doing so a little bit  
intentionally :) Personally, I don't care one way or another. I  
generally favor bottom posting but follow whatever method someone else  
does in a reply. So if they top post, so do I. I think top posting  
makes sense for small, casual, conversation as well.

However, I agree no one lines being shouted at completely. In fact, I  
always thought of this list as a more laid back one in regards to  
conversation and banter. We aren't working on the Linux kernel, or  
developing software. We talking about things, usually related to  
hardware or alternate OSes, that are cool. By in large, those of you  
whom I at least know personally, I consider friends and tend to  
converse as such.

*shrug* $0.02

Tim S.