Re: [Boost-users] Please don't reply to digests

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-01-08 14:32:08

Phil Endecott <spam_from_boost_users_at_[hidden]> writes:

> David Abrahams wrote:
>
>  > Please don't reply to digests.
>  >
>  > http://www.boost.org/more/discussion_policy.htm#quoting
>
> Which says:
>    Do not reply to digests if you are a digest delivery subscriber.
>    Your reply will not be properly threaded and will probably have the
>    wrong subject line. Instead, you can reply through the GMane web
>    interface.
>
> The GMane interface doesn't work for posting messages, I've tried
> it; 

So have I; it works just fine.  And if you instead use a newsreader to
read this list, you can post through the newsreader, which is much
more convenient than the GMane web interface.  That's what I'm doing
now.

> the mailing list rejects messages from non-subscribers, including those 
> that come via GMane.

That's why you have to subscribe before posting via GMane, as
described at http://www.boost.org/more/mailing_lists.htm.

> There is a trade-off here:
>
> - On one hand, replying to digests means that threaded views using 
> references: headers will not work properly.  (There is no need for the 
> subject line to be wrong, but it isn't difficult to forget to change it 
> when replying.)
>
> - On the other hand, prohibiting digest subscribers (like me) from 
> sending replies means that you won't hear from me again.  

If you're a digest subscriber, you're authorized to post via GMane.

> You may or may not consider that a good thing.  I do try to reply to
> questions on the rare occassions that someone even newer to Boost
> than me asks a question that I have an answer to, and I do so in the
> hope that this lets the more expert readers (Dave!) concentrate on
> more important things.
>
> I'd like to encourage a debate - which is considered more important,
> better threading or more contributions?  If you don't want to hear
> from me again, that's fine, I'll unsubscribe until I next have a
> question of my own to ask.

I'd like to hear from you again, but I'd also like you to follow the
posting guidelines.  I think we've provided ample ways to make it
convenient.  If I'm wrong about that, I'd like to know what the
problem is.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com