On Sep 24, 2010, at 11:36 AM, Joel M. Halpern wrote:
I tend to assume that people write emails the way they would like to read
them.
Thus, if I am writing an email with a lot of detailed context from a previous
message, I include the revelant portions of the message, and reply in line.
However, when I am writing A reply that does not require detailed context,
but may depend upon some context for either those who have not been reading
everything, or the cases where the thread is complex enough that checking
which piece one is responding to (even when the subject should not have
changed) can be helpful,
then I top post.
Why do I top-post?
Because I prefer to read email in the preview pane of my email reader. It is
much faster for me to read. Top-posts I can generally read in the preview
pane with 0 additional clicks. I can go scroll down and read the selected
context if I need that.
In contrast, with a bottom post I have to scroll through the whole thread,
most of which I have read before, just to find out what this poster is adding.
Since, as a reader, I strongly prefer to read top-posts, that is how I
usually post.
I don't much care, but in general I think that a simple "WFM" or the like
should be top posted; otherwise go with what seems the most natural to read.
Regards
Marshall
In this case, it is pretty clear that the details of the earlier conversation
are relevant only to prove that a conversation is taking place, so I will
assume readers who care have read those posts, and I have deleted it all.
It is very true that if you are trying to parse a thread that you have not
been following, a thread where everyone has bottom posted, while retaining
sufficient context, is MUCH easier to figure out. I have had more than one
thread where I have had to read the top-posts backwards from the bottom to
figure out what the heck is going on.
But that, for me, is a rare case.
Other people probably read differently. So I do not claim that my reading
experience is relevant for how other people shoudl post. I will cope however
things are posted.
I do want to re-iterate two points I have seen that are important. Both are
relevant no matter what style of posting you like.
1) People need to read the whole email before composing their response. (You
can draft ideas while reading, but make sure you actually read the whole
thing before you finalise your response.)
2) People need to edit longer threads so that they do not copy large amounts
of redundant and useless text.
I will note on 1 that the satiric demonstration of this that followed shortly
after the initial note was just beautiful. Thank you.
Yours,
Joel M. Halpern
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