Why does reply to messages on this list put the sender in the To

[Peter Decker]

On 7/12/05, Dark Cowherd <darkcowherd at gmail.com> wrote:

> Most lists when i hit reply it puts the list address back in the To
> address and some lists allow you to configure this.
> 
> But in this list reply sends the mail back as a private mail and there
> seems to be no option to configure this.
> 
> Am I missing something

Nope, it's a preference set by the list managers. There are two
distinct POVs on this subject, and the feeling is pretty intense on
both sides. Here are two summaries:

Reply to sender: http://www.unicom.com/pw/reply-to-harmful.html
Reply to list: http://www.blackgate.net/consulting/reply-to_munging_useful.html

IMO, the various purist postions are meaningless drivel by people more
concerned with following a ideal notion instead of being concerned
with how the software is actually used. If you think in those terms,
replies to discussion lists should go to the list, and replies to
announcement-type lists should go to the sender.

In cases where people are discussing problems and supplying solutions,
replying to the list is essential so that as many people as possible
can benefit from the knowledge contained in the reply. Private replies
only benefit the lone recipient, while list replies benefit everyone
on the list and everyone who later searches the archives.

# p.d.