Re: [Evolution] help with English "top post msg"

[Brewster Gillett <bg fdi us>]

On Fri, 2010-09-03 at 10:42 +0900, nomnex wrote:
> > If I read what you say literally, it doesn't make sense to me. Why on
> > Earth would your answer be in quotes?
<snip>
> >
> Thanks Patrick "Answers interspersed with quotes
> below." is the term I was looking for.
>
> nomnex

bg:

In this instance I believe someone was using the shorthand expression
of "quotes" to refer to what are more accurately called the "backquote"
-  in other words, all that text from the previous message to which you
are replying, which in most instances should be trimmed down (unless
they are extraordinarily brief) to just those portions on which your
reply specifically comments. I guess they came to be called the
"backquote" because they come earlier than your reply message, i.e.,
back in time from where you are now.

I realize that English is not always very accessible for those for whom
it is not native.....
..... as in the wording from the backquotes above, where it says,

"Thanks Patrick "Answers interspersed with quotes
> below." is the term I was looking for."

That should not be construed as sanctioning the placement of the backquotes
*before* your answer - the (trimmed) backquotes should always come first, followed 
by your answer. And obviously, of course, interleaved, if you are composing, say, three
separate comments, covering three separate portions of the backquoted material.
That *is* the way that conversations naturally flow,
despite the protestations of the top-posting crowd.


Brewster
-- 
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W. Brewster Gillett             bg fdi us            Portland, OR  USA
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Simply because you don't like to hear it, that doesn't make it untrue.
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