From: | Doctor Doom <JCH8169@*****.TAMU.EDU> |
---|---|
Subject: | ADMIN: Quoting Previous Messages |
Date: | Mon, 4 Apr 1994 13:04:16 -0500 |
There are a number of tendencies of list members, pertaining to
procedures followed in replying/responding to a message, that have been the
source of some degree of consternation for me. Since my recent elevation to
status to that of Dread Executor, I feel compelled to enumerate upon these
behaviors, in I have received word that they are a source of irritation to
others:
When one seeks to juxtapose one's own views with an earlier message, i.e.
reply to an anterior posting, one should:
1. When quoting former correspondence, denoting said material is facilitated
significantly by initial line characters ( ">" and "]" being
typical)
rather than simply appending one's own statements at the end.
2. Quote, that is reproduce, only those lines pertinent to your reply or
commentary, that is to say, it is /not/ necessary to replicate the entire
message.
3. Quote the earlier posting /previous/ to insertion of one's own script,
RATHER than including the preceding post at the /end/ of your message.
Hence, observers may see what instigated one's reaction, and following
that, specifically what one's reaction /was/.
4. Indicate the prior posting's authorship by identifying said message's
originator at the beginning of the earlier material, and /not/ by the
inclusion of the (typically) multiple-line signature file.
I only mention this in interests of the greater good and due to the
fact that others have made similar complaints. It is poor Net etiquette for
those who choose to plow through the volume of mail this list produces and
to have to contend with such obviously unnecessary verbiage -- especially
those members who must actually PAY for electronic mail service.
________________ _______ _______ ____ ____
\ _____ \ / \ / \ / \/ \ >>> Attack,
\ | | | |---___ | ___---| | || || | attack, and
| | | | |_____/ | \_____| | || || | if in doubt
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | | | | | | || || | ATTACK! <<<
"Iron hand in a | |___/ / \_______/ \_______/|____| |____| -=-=-=-=-=-
velvet glove." | / ||
-- Charles V |_______/ Dread Executor of Administrative Tasks for Hayden
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^