Jan Alonzo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

> I think a followup "Thank you" doesn't hurt. It also signifies the
> end of the thread thereby not leaving the thread in a "hanging"
> state.

Hanging threads are okay.

"Thank you" is useful if it clearly indicates that the problem has
been solved, preferably with notes about helpful tips and resources.
Mentioning "solution" or "solved" in the message body or subject line
will also make it easier for other people to search for solutions
later on.

However, it is often hard to tell the difference between "Thanks! That
solved my problem" and "Thanks for replying". It is the latter that
gets on other people's nerves, I guess, as people who send such
thank-you messages sometimes send thank-you replies to each leaf of
the thread tree. Such thank you messages also look too much like "me
too" messages, so... Anyway, these thank-yous are best sent through
private e-mail, I think.

Well-written summaries and thank-yous are rare. I see them only
occasionally, mainly on lists with reply-off-list policies (as they
are then required as part of list netiquette). Done well, though, a
thank-you that clearly restates the problem and the solution increases
the value of the mailing list to the worldwide knowledgebase.

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applying as a Debian new maintainer | looking for a grad school
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