I really don't think anybody is concerned about how fast the email downloads anymore.
Rather it is more of a matter of how long it takes us humans to process the incredible volume of information we are expected to process. I have no problem either 'top posting' or 'bottom posting' - but I agree it would be good for the NaNog list to decide on a policy. I say we all vote. The ultimate question on email etiquette is naturally how to properly identify inline commentary. Top-post is definitely the most efficient for that. For instance, if I have a lengthy correspondence with a peer who may or may not speed English, the top-post is always respected, and from there it is quite easy (because it is in the top) to note that other commentary is inline - and (as I mentioned before) - to remove unnecessary material while leaving short portions of material relevant. To get back on topic about using email efficiently and get away from peoples personal preferences, I will say the following. #1) I have no disagreement about whether to top-post or bottom-post on this list or any other - given that there is a policy in place. Maintaing communications is the most important thing. #2) I still do not understand how 'bottom posters' reference material from prior e-mails in their replies? Perhaps I am just ignorant. I often have lengthy business and technical communications which some times require a bit of snipping here and there - the best way to notify somebody you have <SNIPPED> the prior conversation is to say it right up front? #3) These kinds of things become even more important when working with non-native English speakers. #4) I still seem to believe (maybe I am wrong) - that 'bottom posters' thing that an individual email to list is supposed to be an 'archive' - I wholly disagree. On Apr 11, 2011, at 11:49 PM, Tim Chown wrote: > > On 12 Apr 2011, at 07:33, Michael DeMan wrote: > >> Call me and old 'hard case' - but I prefer that when I get information via >> email, that if possible, the relevant information show up immediately. >> >> Call me lazy I guess - but I would expect that most folks on this list have >> also understood good user interface design, and that the least amount of >> work that needs to be done for the receiver to be able to get their >> information is frequently the best solution. > > Well indeed, top-posting is just so much more efficient given the volumes of > email most of us probably see each day. > > Back when receiving an email was an event, and your xbiff flag popping up was > a cause for excitement, taking time to scroll/page down to the new > bottom-posted content in the reply was part of the enjoyment of the whole > 'You have new mail' process. But I'm afraid times have changed; > bottom-posted email is now an annoyance to most just as a slow-loading web > page would be. > > Tim
