List etiquette question

[John Burton]

Jeff Vian wrote:
> [... much stuff snipped...]
> 
> I concur with what you say above.  However, the one thing that those who
> argue for top posting fail to address it the fact that communication is
> ALWAYS sequential.  I have yet to be impressed by the ability of someone
> to answer a question that has not been asked yet.  We are not mind
> readers, nor are we able to travel through time to find out what
> problems are occurring in the future so we can solve them now.
> 
> The same applies to any communication.  Information out of context and
> in reversed sequence is at best confusing.  Top posting tends to put it
> "out of context".
> 
> As many others have said, those who 'always' top post will frequently
> get ignored by many who would otherwise help (myself included).
> 
> Each can do as they choose, but the fit and acceptance within the
> community is determined by how well the individual conforms to the
> "norm" for that community.  
> 
> 

I'm not arguing for or against top posting, or bottom posting. I arguing 
against blind adherence to custom and tradition. The key to all of this 
is clear communications. If I am replying to something specific you 
said, then it is appropriate to bottom post & insert as needed. If I'm 
providing more general information that simply references what you have 
said, then top posting is just as appropriate and in many cases makes 
the communication clearer. If you can see the intent of the message when 
you open it, great (significant trimming, bottom posting, insertions, 
etc). If you have to scroll through endless pages of untrimmed posting 
just to get to a 1 line "I agree", or "Good Point", or even "Oops, the 
correct URL is..." then perhaps bottom posting is not the way to go.

People should be able to use their judgement as to what method best 
communicates what they have to say.

John
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