Discussion List Netiquette, Was: WTB: DEC PC04 Paper Tape Reader/Punch

[Sridhar Ayengar]

Marden P. Marshall wrote:
> I'm not trying to be a hard ass here, but please try to look at it from 

You may not be trying, but that's the way it's coming off.

> my perspective.  I was looking to buy a DEC PC04, so I sent out a 
> message with the subject: "WTB: DEC PC04...".  So now when I see a 
> response to that message in my inbox, I'm expecting to open it and read 
> about buying or selling a DEC PC04.  Instead, I read about repairing 
> readers.  I'm sorry, but I don't see the relationship.  Nor do I see 
> where it is my responsibility to alter the subject line of a message 
> thread that I originated.  That is the responsibility of the person / 
> persons who redirected the thread.

You shouldn't have any problem asking for the others involved in the 
discussion to please alter their subject line.  That's perfectly 
reasonable.  Complaining about topic drift is *not the same thing* and 
*is not reasonable*.

> Also keep in mind that the practice of keeping the subject line in-sync 
> with the message content is for the good of the whole community.  For 
> example, the new subject of reader repairs which took over my original 
> message is a very worth while subject and should in no way be 
> curtailed.  But the fact that no one bothered to give it a dedicated 
> thread with an appropriate subject line means that there are some out 
> there that may never read it, instead deleting it because they thought 
> the message was to do with someone wanting to buy something.

And there had been anyone to offer you a PC04, I would've fully expected 
them to offer it to you in private email to avoid wasting everyone's 
bandwidth.

> This is just simple common curtsy that is for the benefit of all.

I'm male.  I bow.  I don't curtsy for anyone.

Peace...  Sridhar