On Wed, 27 Jul 2016 13:02:10 -0400
Brian Nash <bcnjr5@???> wrote:

> I recently replied to several threads on this list, and in many cases
> I forgot to CC the actual list, so the replies only went to one
> person.
>
> dng is actually the first mailing list I have ever used/contributed
> to, so I am not sure how I'm supposed to do a few things.
>
> Currently, I reply with the previous poster in the `To:` field, and
> then add `dng@???` to the `CC:` field manually.
>
> Is this the way I am supposed to do it?
>
> Is there any reference for proper mailing list usage?

Opinions differ on this. The answer I give you is based on the
assumption that the top priority of a mailing list is to act as a
thought-group whose whole far exceeds the sum of the parts. In other
words, a tool for all of us to get a lot more knowledgeable.

If one accepts the assumption in the preceding paragraph, there is
abso-friggin-lutely no reason to communicate directly with anyone who
is on the list, but instead simply send your reply to the list itself,
secure in the knowledge that the necessary people will read it.[1]

Most email clients have a "reply to list" functionality. Use that.
Exclusively.[1]

Some people reply to the list and insist on copying the person who
wrote what they're replying to. This doesn't make things any clearer,
but it often creates a situation where the recipient of the CC gets two
copies of the reply. Sometimes (you figure out the logic), replying to
the wrong one replies to the person only, even though the email says
"To the list".

Whackest of all are those who reply directly *To* the person, and then
*CC* the list. Say what? This creates all sorts of confusion on my end.
I doubt I'm the only one.

There is never a reason to reply to anybody but the list, and replying
to anybody but the list makes more work for the other people on the
list. [1]


[1] There are two exceptions: 1) When you want your reply to go
exclusively to one or more list inhabitants, but not the whole list.
This is typically done when the person has been using horrible
netiquette and rather than start a list-based flame war, you contact
him (and perhaps a couple eyewitnesses) exclusively. 2) When you've
mentioned somebody not on the list and want to CC that person.


SteveT

Steve Litt 
July 2016 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques
     of the Successful Technologist
http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques