question regarding quotes (carrying over previous posts)

[Guest guest]

Bert,

I appreciate your question about the rationale for single message posting

(SMP). I guess I didn't fully explain well in the Netiquette. Excessively long

emails don't just affect those receiving daily digests. You stated, " there are

MANY times when a partial quote of a message can really help to clarify the

context of the reply. " Though I agree that the previous post can make sense out

of some posts, but the previous post should not be needed, if the email is

written to stand by itself. The other tool that is recommended to support the

email is the subject heading. I personally think that it is okay to reference a

line or two (max). The problem we are really dealing with is the posts that

carry over the previous email, many have the two previous posts, I have seen

some

with three previous posts. You said, " It is a standard LISTSERV behavior as

well as commonly used in e-mail. " It may be that they say the reference may be

helpful. The majority of the rules of netiquette, however, focus on ways to

minimize the post size. Most state that it is common courtesy to consider the

fact that many members are on a pay by the hour Internet system, or only have

access to a computer at work, or have to share the computer time at home with

others. I have listed a few netiquette sites. They might provide more insight.

It isn't the one or two lines that are carried over that is the problem. There

are many members who reference the previous email in an appropriate, courteous

manner. The problem is one day it is two lines, the next it is three, then

four, and then there are pages and pages of posts that are smothering the real

messages. You have to agree that those are not there as a reference.

As I said, in my earlier email, I really don't think this is going to be a

problem. Since, the posts cannot be edited, the only way to delete the carried

over post is by reposting. (Actually, the author of the post can do that

themselves if they accidentally hit send with the old post) If your post lacks

fullness without referencing a line or two of the one you are answering,

certainly

go ahead and include them in your post. Don't simply include a portion or all

of the previous post as a convenience. That is really the main point.

*http://www.walthowe.com/navnet/faq/guidelines.html

*http://www.learnthenet.com/english/html/09netiqt.htm

*http://groups.google.com/googlegroups/posting_style.html

*http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml

Sincerely,

Karyn E. , RN

Exec. Director, PAI

Indianapolis, IN

The PAI serves as a means of support, information, and advocacy. The PAI

cannot offer medical advice or direction nor substitute for your health care

provider.

[Guest guest]

Original Date: Sun Jun 8, 2003 11:41am

interesting......lol......