[mythtv-users] Kudos and mythtv-users culture

[Meatwad]

Bill Barowy wrote:
> My first post to this forum. 

And a very intelligent one at that. Welcome.

> On another topic:
> On Friday 28 September 2007 08:00, mythtv-users-request at mythtv.org wrote:
>> And Bearcat, I've been on a semi-private list since '96 where
>> top-posting will get you the ClueBat which is generally adorned with
>> asphalt, rock salt, rusty nails, razor wire and a splash of vinegar. I

You may want to check your mailer settings as I'm fairly certain I wrote 
the above.

> A meta question:  Is any mailing-list  cultural norm really representative of 
> a  majority who participate or is it that of the most dominant, who post the 
> most, or perhaps who complain the most, or perhaps who bully the most, who 
> set the standards?  I've participated in another list in which some of the 
> most prominent members just left, never to return, because a less productive  
> but more aggressive person essentially drove them away.

In my experience, there are no hard and fast rules. I referenced the 
list above simply to indicate the wide gamut of cultures that are out 
there. In their case the number of *quality* postings, and dominance 
rules the roost. Complainers and bullies get run off. I certainly hadn't 
meant to translate their "enforcement" to this list which is of an 
entirely different nature altogether. Mea culpa.

> IMHO bottom posting is really not all that convenient as a norm.  I use kmail 
> for a client, and since I'm usually following a thread anyway, it becomes a 
> pain to rescan through text already sent to find the next contribution, 
> *especially if entire messages are quoted*.  I find it more convenient to 
> read top posters -- but it's even better when a *relevant* short quote of the 
> prior message is referenced at the bottom.

Four reasons I can think of: The high volume interferes with realtime 
reading, this list is used as a technical reference and bottom-posting 
makes the archives easier to research, the list owner has stated his 
preference for it in the past as Brian points out, and most importantly 
because (it seems to me after four years) the people that help out the 
most on this list prefer it.

If someone can be buggered to put a little effort into crafting emails 
to technical support lists (top or bottom) that little effort can be 
seen by all and will encourage others to help.

--
mw