Re: Private E-mail

[Alan Enns <aenns@unixg.ubc.ca>]

I really don't think that the problem is the email packages so much as the
users.  There are many packages out there to choose from, most of which are
quite straight forward for anyone who has used a computer or written a
letter (we're physicists, engineers and scientists, for goodness sakes!).
I found that Eudora for PC or Mac works very well and was easy to learn.
Download the latest version and manual from: http://www.qualcomm.com/

The problem is that there are some individuals out there who don't seem to
realize or care that Melissa's messages are actually aimed at them.  Common
offenses are: sending encoded mail (these people THINK they know what
they're doing, but...);   replying to messages on a personal level (see Dan
B.'s drivel to Joyce -TWICE today after Melissa's most recent message!);
failure to proofread messages (is that English and if it is, what does it
mean???);  failure to trim useless headers and/or the original message with
the ten or so replies that are being replied to (anyone reading the reply to
the reply to the reply probably has kept up with the discussion and thus
does not need 'background info' while those not interested will see
're:re:re:original question' as the subject and will skip it altogether; and
sending mail complaining about useless mail (that covers this note!)  :-)

Of course, I'm only preaching to the converted, aren't I?  Melissa has
covered these points numerous times, so what's the solution?  Sending direct
reminders/complaints to repeat offenders?  Perhaps if we tell offenders how
their wonderfully crafted messages actually come across, they might start
paying attention to what they're sending out.  Maybe bouncing Melissa's
message directly to these folks (en masse, of course) might make them listen up?

Alan Enns
aenns@unixg.ubc.ca

ps This note may seem out of line, but lately I've been on the verge of
unsubscribing due to the high noise to signal ratio.  I thought that before
I did that, I should say something...  Boy-oh-boy, I was really venting
there, wasn't I?