top posting, HTML posting and "the closer"

[Robert P. J. Day]

On Wed, 30 Mar 2005, Thomas Cameron wrote:

> RDay -

yes?

...

> I have never had a problem reading top posted messages, HTML
> formatted messages, or messages with silly disclaimers.  I know I'm
> not the sharpest tool in this particular shed.  It surprises me that
> some people on this list who are obviously as or more intelligent
> than I am get so stirred up about it. And it saddens me when people
> on this list whom I respect on a technical level make rude comments
> and call names.
>
> I completely support gentle reminders when someone who is new to the list
> makes a mistake.
>
> But the hostility and rudeness just hurts the community.

you're missing the point, and i've posted on this previously.  on the
one hand, you have newcomers who, being newcomers, might post in HTML,
or top post, or something like that, and someone else will suggest
politely they not do that, and they say, "oh, sorry, i didn't know, i
won't do it again", and they stop doing it, and everyone's happy, and
we all get back to work.

on the other hand, you have newcomers who, being newcomers, might post
in HTML, or top post, or something like that, and someone else will
suggest politely they not do that, and they say, "well, *that's* how
we do it where *i* come from!  and i *like* doing it that way!  and i
don't see why *i* have to change!  and you should all get used to it
cuz *i'm* going to keep doing it!"

and *those* people are assholes.  and they're the ones who cause these
threads to go on and on and on ...

if you bother to go back thru these threads, people are rarely
insulted for being newcomers.  they're insulted for being dickheads.

there's a difference.

rday