Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 11:22:50 -0800
Reply-To: Dale McLerran <stringplayer_2@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Dale McLerran <stringplayer_2@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: OT: PC newsreaders and top- vs. bottom-posting
In-Reply-To: <s1ecf655.091@SLCM02.firsthealth.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Scott,
I can't comment on topic 1 (newsreaders). However, let me
address topic 2. The question of top/bottom posting has come up
before. There is no set style here. Some like to ensure that
the material that they are responding to has been reviewed before
the response is provided. I would think of that as a context
based posting style. Others employ what I identify is a filing
based posting style. When filing financial records, the most
recent records go to the front. There is yet another posting
style which you did not mention which is to interleave replies
with the original post. Interleaving, like bottom posting, is
also a context based posting style.
Which approach is more appropriate for a discussion list? I
don't believe there is a single answer. I use top posting
most of the time, but do frequently employ interleaved posting.
I don't bottom post. If a post is complex and asks many very
specific questions, I will interleave. Otherwise, I prefer
the filing system approach. I try to make such posts clear
enough to stand alone such that if someone were to read the
post without benefit of context, then they would probably
understand my post anyway. Still, in the event that context
is needed, the original post is usually left intact at the
end of my filing system posts.
I won't argue that my approach is the right approach. As I
stated up top, there has been (considerable) discussion about
posting styles previously on SAS-L. Consensus has not been
achieved previously, and I am sure never will be achieved.
Ultimately, you must decide for yourself what style you believe
works best.
Finally, I would note that there is no concensus among SAS-L
MVS'ers as to style. Even among that group, there is variety.
Dale
> >>> "Scott" <usenet739_yahoo_com_au@CRONKITE.CC.UGA.EDU> 01/18/2005
> 4:07 AM >>>
> Hi,
>
> Two quick off-topic questions:
>
> 1. Can you recommend a good PC-based newsreader? I've downloaded
> most
> of
> the freeware newsreaders, but just haven't had the time to go thru
> each
> one.
> Your recommendation, esp. if seconded by others, will help focus my
> testing.
> Prefer freeware, but cheap if good will also work.
>
> 2. Is there a consensus between top- vs. bottom-posting in this
> newsgroup?
> I've been top-posting, mainly cuz OE makes it easier to do this. But
> it
> seems like most of the MVP-ers bottom-post.
>
> Regards,
> Scott
>
=====
---------------------------------------
Dale McLerran
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
mailto: dmclerra@NO_SPAMfhcrc.org
Ph: (206) 667-2926
Fax: (206) 667-5977
---------------------------------------
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