[lug] e-mail etiquette

[Glenn Murray]

I usually put the reply below, and so should everyone else (:>).
Here's why.

1.  I read messages by thread.  When moving from one message to the
    next I know what was just said and I don't need to be annoyed by
    it again.  This is especially true when the quotes start stacking
    up.  All that stuff is reference; an appendix.  Sometimes it 
    is okay to put one or two quoted lines at the top to provide 
    context.

2.  The best way is the "mixed" response, but this is the worst way, too.
    It is the best way when you want to give step-by-step instructions
    in response to step-by-step questions.  Sometimes I actually
    compose messages (i.e., pleas for help) so they can be responded
    to in this way (say by putting stuff into numbered paragraphs).
  
    This is the worst way, too, because I use it when
    I am replying to a Compleat Idiot and I have a need to show him
    Point by Point where he has gone Completely Wrong.  Reading one is 
    like hearing a high school debate that has degenerated 
    into one-liners.  It discourages composition.

    Another disadvantage is that it encourages people to try to
    maintain what should be several threads in one thread.  Like my
    saying here:  How the heck do you change the major mode of an
    Emacs buffer while you are in it?

3.  When I read messages I want to have the new content on the top
    where I can read it immediately.  I do not want to search for it.
    Life is short.

Glenn Murray
www.mines.edu/~gmurray/public_html/Welcome.html

On Thu, 4 Oct 2001, Kyle Moore wrote:

> I have a couple of etiquette questions I can't find answers to. I guess
> it isn't really important but I am curious what other people think.
> 
> 1. Is it email or e-mail?
> 2. When quoting the original message in a reply is it correct to put your
> message above or below this quoted content?
> 3. What is the appropriate signature identifier? I understand that some
> systems use "---" as an identifier that what comes next is the signature.
> 
> ### Not completely related ###
> 4. Is it web site, website or web-site?
> 
> ---
> Kyle Moore
> 
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