Re: New Release of Mogwai ERDesigner NG

Fred Atkinson wrote:
> 	I don't see how not having to reread things that I read on
> previous posts breaks the flow of the conversation.  It certainly
> doesn't for me.  

That depends on a lot of things, including whether you're reading the
posts 
shortly after they were posted, or long enough that the antecedents might
have 
rotated off your reader.  It might also have been a couple of days or
longer 
since reading the other posts, and having a little intro makes it easier
for 
the reader.

Of course, it's always an argument whether to make life easier on the
readers 
or the writer.  Most Usenet denizens consider it polite for the writer to
make 
life easier on the readers as a matter of courtesy.

There's also the local custom factor - it's been the custom since the dawn
of 
Usenet, as attested in every FAQ I've ever seen on the topic and mentioned

upthread as well, to use trim-and-inline posting rather than top- or 
bottom-posting.  Again, the goal is to make each message easier to read,
but 
manners and custom are also relevant.

As far as readability goes, I find it jarring and often disconcerting to
read 
top-posted messages.  It's often difficult for me to establish the context
of 
a top-posted reply until I've read the entire quoted post beneath it to 
attempt to figure out the antecedents.  Given that inline posting is the 
do***ented Usenet norm and more logical layout, it always puzzles me that
some 
folks are so obstinate about using it.

Oh, well, it's the privilege of respondents to not answer such posts, and
the 
risk of flouters that they'll lose the best replies due to their lack of
courtesy.

-- 
Lew