Peter writes:

> In article <[log in to unmask]>,
>  Denys Beauchemin  <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>  > What I find strange is he has to burden the list with his private
message
> to
>  > Cortlandt.
>
>  Cortlandt isn't the only one who's doing it, and it was intended as a hint
>  for others who have the same habit.

It isn't a habit. It's the way the list is set up. If you press REPLY, only
the author gets the message. When you press REPLY ALL the reply goes both to
the list and to the original author.

While you can take the time to scratch out the original author's address in
the address boxes, I personally like getting the direct message, especially
in the midst of a conversation. The direct-to-me mail comes much faster than
does the list, thus I can often have a reply ready by the time the same
posting is distributed by the listserver.

Many years ago, the listserver was set in reverse to its current settings,
but everyone agreed to the current policy simply because too many private
responses were accidentally going to the list as a whole. Although nothing
terribly untoward was ever said in one of these accidentally public emails,
everyone felt more comfortable with the current situation.

Wirt Atmar

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