[NTLUG:Discuss] Top Posting

[Patrick R. Michaud]

On Sun, Jul 13, 2008 at 01:15:03AM -0500, Chris Cox wrote:
> So... with that said, I think we need to be careful to not
> bash in the head of somebody who doesn't understand email/nntp
> style etiquette.  

Hear, hear!

FWIW, I also cast myself in the lot of those who will sometimes
top-post because it makes more sense that way.  I see far
too many bottom posts where the author didn't bother to
clip out several screens of text (which I then have to scroll
through) before saying something short like "I agree".
In that case I wish they would've just top-posted and
saved me the effort.

Here are my rules of thumb:
-  Inline post (and liberally crop)  if I'm replying to
   specific points.  Usually I just leave enough of the
   original conversation to make it clear what it is I'm
   responding to.
-  If I'm responding to someone who top-posted, then I
   either top-post also (to preserve the chronology) or
   reformat the message to make more sense for inline
   or bottom posting.
-  Otherwise I default to bottom posting.

I know this is probably more work than what the average
person wants to do, and it's fine with me if others don't
do it.  Overall I aim for being strict in what I produce
and liberal in what I accept -- I find that to be a good
guideline for many protocols.  :-)

Pm