ton wrote:
> When I use "reply to author" on messages from the listserver
> the message will be adressed to the original autor of the
> message and not to the listserver unless I specifically change
> the outgoing address to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> If this is the case everywhere most replies to messages will
> be posted directly to the original authors and will not show
> up on the list.
>
> Please comment.
That's right, and it's probably a good idea anyway, unless you
feel that your direct response should also be seen by all to
instigate further comment.
Traditionally, mailing list netiquette suggests that when someone
asks a question, you respond to the author directly, and after a
few days, the author should summarize the responses in a message
to the list with "SUM:" or "SUMMARY:" preceeding the subject
line. Those who ask questions and don't post summaries soon find
that no one answers their questions. This keeps the list load
down with the useful information neatly and succintly presented
in a summary that is easy to find later (e.g. the keyword "SUM"
in a search yields you all the good stuff without the fluff in
between.) And BTW, a good "summary" means an edited review of
responses, not just tacking all responses together in one
message.
Exceptions abound, of course, but the only time you ought to make
one is if you feel your public response is needed to widen or
narrow the topic. (or spin off onto a completely new thread
altogether!) Or when you are commenting to a comment which wasn't
posted as a question. Or because you feel like it. But do keep
the concept of "public question-private response-public summary"
in mind; it makes for a better discussion forum.
- Bill Thoen
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