--On 11 March 2002 00:22 -0600 Tim Cook <twcook@iswt.com> wrote:
Here's a suggestion that I see works well on another list (linuxmanagers) that is the same or very similar to what you suggested.
The questions are posted to the list. ALL responses are sent only to the original person asking the question. That person is tasked with sending a reply where the subject line is prefaced with the word "SUMMARY". This summary contains a concise list of the responses received and which one(s) were attempted and the results of those attempts.
I think this is an excellent proposal.
This procedure: 1. cuts down on list traffic 2. puts responsibility on the person asking the question to contribute back better detailed results 3. creates a very useful archive
Disadvantages: 1. May inhibit productive discussion?
2. Risk loosing pearls of wisdom if summary of off-line response not forthcoming 3. Requires discipline early on - perhaps people indicating that they will follow the protocol should put something like WILL SUMMARISE in the Subject line The list archives should end up showing a one-to-one correspondence of SUMMARY and WILL SUMMARISE messages and we'll all live happily ever after ;-) Dangling WILL SUMMARISE messages will haunt the original poster for the rest of time ..... Paul -- The Library, Tyndall Avenue, Univ. of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TJ, UK E-mail: paul.browning@bristol.ac.uk URL: http://www.bris.ac.uk/