Reply-to netiquette (was [META] please start To: with gnupg-users at gnupg.org...)

[Jerry]

On Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:26:05 -0800
Doug Barton articulated:

> On 01/31/2012 05:05, Jerry wrote:
> > This is an "OPT-IN"list. Some lists, like FreeBSD are open, but not
> > this one.
> 
> I don't understand the distinction you're trying to make. Both this
> list and all of the FreeBSD lists require you to subscribe. In fact
> FreeBSD lists also use mailman.

OK, I thought it was self evident; however, I guess I need to explain
the difference more clearly.

I am not sure what terms mailman uses, so I will use "open-posting"
and "closed-posting" The meanings will become self evident.

The basic FreeBSD forum is "open-posting". A poster need not be
subscribed to the forum. What that means is that anyone may post to the
forum. To see a response, they will either have to convince every
responder to the post to CC him/her or view the replies on the web
interface.

Now most, but not all, forums are "closed-posting". If a non-subscriber
attempts to post to the forum, they will receive this response:

*********************************************************************
Your mail to 'Gnupg-users' with the subject

    Testing

Is being held until the list moderator can review it for approval.

The reason it is being held:

    Post by non-member to a members-only list

Either the message will get posted to the list, or you will receive
notification of the moderator's decision.  If you would like to cancel
this posting, please visit the following URL: (URL removed by me)
********************************************************************

This is an actual reply from a test message I sent awhile ago.

Now, unless the poster intended to wait an indefinite period of time,
said time varying from a few hours to a few days, depending on the
forum, there is virtually no likelihood that anyone would waste their
time posting if they were not subscribed to the forum. Now, I am sure
that someone will make the statement that they wouldn't mind waiting an
indefinite period, hoping that their message will be approved and then
hoping that the responders to said post actually do CC them. I have a
term I use for people like that.

It takes only 3 minutes or less (I once subscribed to a forum and
responded to the email in less than 3 minutes) to subscribed one's
self. If the poster cannot take the time involved to subscribe to a
list, then they don't have the time to be posting to the list.

Now, this is all very simple to me; however, I am sure that someone is
going to tell me what a burden subscribing to a list is. I actually
find that rather amusing since I wonder if they find wiping their ass
after taking a crap a burden too.

Now Doug, I hope I have explained it to your satisfaction.

-- 
Jerry ♔

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Q: What came after the "Big Bang"?
A: The walk of shame.