Thus spake Steven Cole (elenstev@mesatop.com):

> On Thu, 2003-07-24 at 10:03, Tomas Szepe wrote:
> > > [Robert.L.Harris@rdlg.net]
> > > 
> > > On the other hand if everyone posted at the top it would be considerably
> > > easier reading for those who have been following the conversation
> > > without having to scroll down and figure out where comments and the
> > > conversation is at.
> > 
> > So how do you context-quote when replying at the top?
> > 
> > Original text:
> > 
> > 	Argument A.
> > 	Argument B.
> > 
> > Reply:
> > 
> > 	Reply intro text.
> > 
> > 	Reaction A.
> > 	> Argument A.
> > 
> > 	Reaction B.
> > 	> Argument B.
> > 
> > I don't think so.  Awkward (mixing directions) and confusing.
> > 
> > > For those new to the conversation they can just start at the bottom and
> > > scroll up.
> > 
> > Ever actually tried doing that?  IMHO it's not half as practical and
> > natural as reading from the top down.  (You have to keep scrolling,
> > searching for block starts.)
> 
> I think Tomas has just hit upon why top posting is fundamentally wrong.
> 
> Indo-European languages read left to right, Semitic languages read right
> to left, and some Oriental languages read top to bottom, but no human
> languages I'm aware of read bottom to top.  
> 
> Consider a Cafe sign:
> 
> C
> a
> f
> e
> 
> That is readable.  How about:
> 
> e
> f
> a
> C
> 
> Not very readable unless you spend extra processing time to think about
> it. Reading bottom to top is counter-intuitive and wastes time. Speaking
> of which, apologies to all who feel they've wasted time by reading this.
> 
> Hmm, it looks like you top-posters out there are in good company. 
> Marcelo seems to be taking the lead.  Grumble.
> 


I'm not saying you should write your paragraphs backwards such as your
Cafe sign.  It's more of an organizational thing than an order of
reading thing.  When I sort my ToDo list I put the things most important
on top, when I sort my mail, I put the things I need to read on top,
etc.  This way the most important piece (the newest comment in this
case) is on top and I don't have to go digging for it.

Not everyone puts inline responses and they're not always needed.  If
you place some a good idea is one a co-worker uses:

  See inline comments below.

4 works, 1 line.  Tells us there is content he added mixed in.
Otherwise I don't have to waste time and effort digging through the
rants, flames and fluff wondering "is there something down here?"...







:wq!
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Robert L. Harris                     | GPG Key ID: E344DA3B
                                         @ x-hkp://pgp.mit.edu 
DISCLAIMER:
      These are MY OPINIONS ALONE.  I speak for no-one else.

Diagnosis: witzelsucht  	

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