I see I'm not the only open that can't stand reading the Alumni-chat list since people just can't take the time to edit the subject or trim there reply...

The Alumni-Chat Archive: [Alumni-chat] Three requests about using this chat list:

Michael Brower: [Alumni-chat] Three requests about using this chat list: Hello, fellow Alums,

I have a concern -- even a complaint -- and 3 suggestions on how to
make it easier to use and read this chat room.

Several people in the past week or so have simply hit the "Reply"
button and then typed their own new message on top of all prior
messages carried forward. Sometimes this is to some extent
appropriate, when they are indeed commenting or building on the last
previous message. But sometimes they are typing in a completely
different message, such as announcing the publication of a new book,
which is perfectly appropriate and welcome here in my own view, but
which has nothing to do with the previous message(s). So in such a
case, hitting "Reply" and including the prior messages makes no
sense. I would not mention this here if it were rare and unlikely to
happen again. But in fact, it has already happened here several
times and it is very common on other email lists and chat rooms so it
is highly likely to happen here again, too.

Here are my three suggestions which I would request us all to follow.

1. When posting on a new subject, do NOT hit "Reply." Instead,
simply send a brand new email to:
alumni-chat at w3.antioch.edu.

2. When commenting on the last previous posting, it is OK to hit
"Reply." But if you do, PLEASE trim out all of the prior messages
which may have been attached and even most of the specific message
you are replying to, especially if it is long. Perhaps you can leave
only a sentence or two that you are specifically replying to. Or,
you can open your message with your own simple summary of that part
of the prior message(s) you want to comment on. Or, you can do this
in a new email sent to:
alumni-chat at w3.antioch.edu.

3. In each and every case, please check your "Subject" line and make
sure it is up-to-date and appropriate.

Thanks for reading. And, if you agree, for following ground rules
such as these.

Mike Brower '55