I don't seem to be able to navigate through threads. e.g. sometimes comments in a thread seem to be in chronological order, but at other times not. Does this actually happen? Are threads perhaps branching structures, not linear ones?
[MW>] We each use our own email client, and they behave in different ways. Some differences are due to this. Other differences arise from writing styles. Most reply inline, though often deleting material not relevant to the reply (I sometimes do a <snip> when I do this). Others, like John are more creative, and pick out the quotes from the source email (or emails) and reorganises them to an order to support the points he wishes to make.
Top posting (hitting reply and just answering in essentially a separate email) is frowned upon, because it forces the reader to read the email underneath to get the context. However, we all do it occasionally, but usually only with one liners.
I don't know when to use Reply and when to use Reply All. Does Reply generate a comment that is visible only to the person being replied to?
[MW>] Personally, I think you should only reply to the list. I know I don’t find it helpful to receive one copy directly and another from the list.
At the end of some comments (is "messages" the term for one contribution to a thread?), I see "show original message". I'm not sure what that shows me that wasn't on the screen before I clicked on that option.
[MW>] This is your email client I think just trying to be tidy. I know Google mail does that sort of thing.
Are there instructions anywhere for using the machinery of threads/comments in this forum?
[MW>] As far as I am aware, custom and practice has just grown (though it is just good netiquette), and when people don’t pick up on it, someone says something.
Regards
Matthew West
Member – Ontolog Board of Trustees
http://ontolog-02.cim3.net/wiki/MatthewWest
+44 750 338 5279