Re: [Evolution] Reply for list messages should go back to the list

[Pete Biggs <pete biggs org uk>]

> >    [ ] Reply button invokes mailing list reply
>
> This doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The user can *already* express a
> preference, by moving their hand an inch or two to the left or right and
> hitting a different (key|menu item|button).

But there isn't a "Reply to List" button - so instead of hitting the
reply button, you have to press ctrl-L or Message -> Reply to list.  And
no, I do not consider "Reply to All" to be suitable substitute for
"Reply to List".

> This strikes me being a "DWIM" feature so that the user only has to bash
> their head on the keyboard to get what they want.... as long as they've
> preconfigured it.
>
> In general, those who are sophisticated enough to preconfigure anything
> are perfectly capable of hitting the right buttons in the first place.
> There doesn't seem to be a lot of point in such a context-dependent
> action, for someone who knows what they're doing.

I disagree. I have to consciously think "I'm dealing with a mailing list
post, so I don't want to click reply, I need to take my hand of the
mouse before I start typing the reply and then do Ctrl-L, then put my
hand back on the mouse to EDIT the message before starting to type."  If
I happen to be typing a quick reply to something on a list there is a
distinct (and high) possibility that I will automatically click Reply.

> The real target of this automatic behaviour would be the clueless users
> who don't really think about what they're doing -- yes?

Ah, OK. I must be a clueless user then...

> Which brings us to...
>
> > Then we can debate an appropriate default for the preference.
>
> If we're exposing it in the UI *instead* of the existing 'Reply' action,
> then it really *has* to be private by default. The existing UI action
> sends private mail, and we can't sensibly change that. Least
> catastrophic failure mode and all that. So again it would only benefit
> those who are paying sufficient attention to configure it in the first
> place, which makes it rather pointless.

Virtually all of the direct replies I get from posts on this list (and
others) are from novice users - they do not realise they sent it
directly to me, they thought they were sending to the list.  All of the
direct replies from experienced users are usually followed within a few
minutes by another email saying something like "Sorry, I replied
directly to you in my haste, that should have gone to the list".

Your experience may be different, but changing the default of Reply for
a list message to be Reply-to-list would catch both of those cases - I
see very little against it. Perhaps the nag box should be the opposite
way round. i.e. it gives a warning when you hit reply and Evo chooses to
use Reply-to-list instead - the nag box can be disabled and also give a
pointer on how to turn off the feature.

P.