[wp-forums] Blocking replies to diget emails

[bc works]

As a digest user perhaps my perspective might be useful?
(I believe I'm replying correctly, feel free to admonish me if not)

I vaguely recall a note whilst signing up to the mail-list about editing
down replies and changing the subject. However, the only reminder at the
lead-in of digests states:

'When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of wp-forums digest..."'

No mention of editing content. It is a convenience that the Reply-To field
goes to a functional location (which I don't personally use). IMO, people
should respect this convenience by using it properly. Unfortunately, some
people are lazy or forgetful, or simply make an innocent mistake, so we do
get these voluminous out of context replies. If I made such a reply, I
wouldn't expect any response due to confusing context. I would be so
embarrassed when I saw the result I would hope I would never do that again.

But everyone is different. As a minimum, a more explicit instruction in the
digest header might help in some cases. I personally would not have an
issue with a no-reply digest mailing, since the correct address is readily
available in the lead-in, but no doubt some people would be unhappy with
the need to change their habit, and I think there is sort of a underlying
implication with such a measure that digest users are second class list
citizens because direct replies are blocked.

I think leaving things as they are is more community spirited. While more
of a hassle, perhaps a canned response (direct to offender's email if not
even more hassle) reminding digest folks of proper reply etiquette will
keep things pretty much in line and remain community spirited. There will
always be a few that can't seem to learn, whom we should just tolerate.
Simply ignore their message if it's irritating.

-bc (Glenn)


On Sun, 24 Feb 2013 08:51:15 -0500
Chip Bennett <chip at chipbennett.net> wrote:
--------------------------------------------------

We've asked them to do so, but they don't.

I would concur with setting digest email reply-to to a do-not-reply address.
On Feb 24, 2013 8:45 AM, "Kathryn Presner" <zoonini at gmail.com> wrote:

> > Point taken, just that on the theme-reviewers list where people do it
> > and its a no no there. I will just wait till it happens too often.
>
> I agree with James that we shouldn't block them. On the flip side,
> maybe a compromise could be to encourage folks to at least change the
> subject line and trim out all the irrelevant posts when replying to a
> digest, instead of including 12 random posts and a non-specific
> subject line.
>
> ta,
>
> kp