On Thu, Jan 01, 2009 at 11:18:28PM +0000, James Freer wrote:
> > (Please don't top post unless there's a really good reason, e.g., visual
> > handicap and the like. See http://howto-pages.org/posting_style/ )
> > Scott Robbins
>
> Scott
>
> Many thanks for that link... i've been looking for such an explanation
> for yonks.
>
> I thought it had more to do with the fact that email clients set the
> default to bottom posting. Sorry i've erred!


Actually, most email clients top post by default--again, in business,
this often makes sense. Even mutt, considered an elite geek mail
client, sets the cursor at top by default.

This makes sense to me, as I can go through the letter and answer it as
I read it.

It's becoming more and more prevalent, perhaps because of the growing
number of Windows users turning to Linux (though even on MS tech lists,
I believe it's still frowned upon) or perhaps technology is making us
all lazy. I don't blame MS for setting the cursor at the top, I blame
them for html mail, another sin. :)

On Linux_newbies, when I answer a question, I often state that I don't
follow top posted answers, which usually leads to a long and pointless
thread. There are about three or four other experienced people who
usually chime in, trying to point out what's wrong with it.

On the Linux list, which is co-owned by the author of that article, most
moderated posts (and new members are moderated) simply don't get posted
if they top post.

On this list, where one of the most knowledgeable people on the list top
posts, we're a bit less stringent. However, if I'm answering a
question, I do try to point it out.

Anyway, glad you found the article useful.


--
Scott Robbins
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and upper with that nancy-boy accent. (everyone looking at him)
You Englishmen are always so... (pauses) Bloody hell! (ticks off
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