From: Paul Louden <paulthenerd_at_gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:02:13 -0500

> I also don't agree that bottom posting is just easier for the writer. I
> claim it's also easier for the reader in some situations. If you're only
> replying to one point in the message and your reply is complete, there's
> no need to read the message you're replying to, therefore, it's easier
> on the reader not to have them skip through that text.
If you're only replying to one point, only include the one point in your
quote. This is clearly stated in the list etiquette. Quoting the entire
message at the bottom is surely far, far worse than quoting a single
point, appropriately.

This is actually the biggest problem, possibly: People seem to be
overlooking the fact that we state clearly that you should be quoting
for context, rather than quoting the whole message. We aren't asking you
to put entire emails at the top of each post. In no situation, ever,
should whole emails be repeated unless 100% of the content of that email
needs to be quoted for some reason or another.

So, if you're comparing it to reading through the entirety of the
previous message quoted at the top, you're comparing it to something
that is also against the rules of this list, a rather silly comparison
since we're asking people to follow all the posting guidelines, not just
part.
Received on 2007-09-10