Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2003 13:15:53 -0400
From: "Robert L. Harris" <Robert.L.Harris@rdlg.net>
To: Steven Cole <elenstev@mesatop.com>
Cc: Tomas Szepe <szepe@pinerecords.com>, bill davidsen <davidsen@tmr.com>,
       linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Re: Posting format
Message-ID: <20030724171553.GK32585@rdlg.net>
Mail-Followup-To: Steven Cole <elenstev@mesatop.com>,
	Tomas Szepe <szepe@pinerecords.com>,
	bill davidsen <davidsen@tmr.com>, linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
References: <20030723201801.GB32585@rdlg.net> <20030723212224.A527@infradead.org> <20030723220037.GC32585@rdlg.net> <20030723225333.GC16244@louise.pinerecords.com> <bfn5v6$m20$1@gatekeeper.tmr.com> <1059059667.1672.202.camel@spc9.esa.lanl.gov> <20030724154732.GJ32585@rdlg.net> <20030724160327.GB22052@louise.pinerecords.com> <1059065578.1668.234.camel@spc9.esa.lanl.gov>
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Thus spake Steven Cole (elenstev@mesatop.com):

> On Thu, 2003-07-24 at 10:03, Tomas Szepe wrote:
> > > [Robert.L.Harris@rdlg.net]
> > >=20
> > > On the other hand if everyone posted at the top it would be considera=
bly
> > > easier reading for those who have been following the conversation
> > > without having to scroll down and figure out where comments and the
> > > conversation is at.
> >=20
> > So how do you context-quote when replying at the top?
> >=20
> > Original text:
> >=20
> > 	Argument A.
> > 	Argument B.
> >=20
> > Reply:
> >=20
> > 	Reply intro text.
> >=20
> > 	Reaction A.
> > 	> Argument A.
> >=20
> > 	Reaction B.
> > 	> Argument B.
> >=20
> > I don't think so.  Awkward (mixing directions) and confusing.
> >=20
> > > For those new to the conversation they can just start at the bottom a=
nd
> > > scroll up.
> >=20
> > Ever actually tried doing that?  IMHO it's not half as practical and
> > natural as reading from the top down.  (You have to keep scrolling,
> > searching for block starts.)
>=20
> I think Tomas has just hit upon why top posting is fundamentally wrong.
>=20
> Indo-European languages read left to right, Semitic languages read right
> to left, and some Oriental languages read top to bottom, but no human
> languages I'm aware of read bottom to top. =20
>=20
> Consider a Cafe sign:
>=20
> C
> a
> f
> e
>=20
> That is readable.  How about:
>=20
> e
> f
> a
> C
>=20
> Not very readable unless you spend extra processing time to think about
> it. Reading bottom to top is counter-intuitive and wastes time. Speaking
> of which, apologies to all who feel they've wasted time by reading this.
>=20
> Hmm, it looks like you top-posters out there are in good company.=20
> Marcelo seems to be taking the lead.  Grumble.
>=20


I'm not saying you should write your paragraphs backwards such as your
Cafe sign.  It's more of an organizational thing than an order of
reading thing.  When I sort my ToDo list I put the things most important
on top, when I sort my mail, I put the things I need to read on top,
etc.  This way the most important piece (the newest comment in this
case) is on top and I don't have to go digging for it.

Not everyone puts inline responses and they're not always needed.  If
you place some a good idea is one a co-worker uses:

  See inline comments below.

4 works, 1 line.  Tells us there is content he added mixed in.
Otherwise I don't have to waste time and effort digging through the
rants, flames and fluff wondering "is there something down here?"...


:wq!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert L. Harris                     | GPG Key ID: E344DA3B
                                         @ x-hkp://pgp.mit.edu=20
DISCLAIMER:
      These are MY OPINIONS ALONE.  I speak for no-one else.

Diagnosis: witzelsucht  =09

IPv6 =3D robert@ipv6.rdlg.net	http://ipv6.rdlg.net
IPv4 =3D robert@mail.rdlg.net	http://www.rdlg.net

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