Another reason why we sometimes HAVE to reply to the list

[George Fowler h(317)726-1482 o(812)855-2829]

Alex Rudd posted a very reasoned exposition to the list as to why it is
preferable to reply directly to individuals rather than wasting all that
bandwidth by replying to the list. I agree, BUT there's one strong reason why
I, and I presume many others as well, am sometimes OBLIGED to reply to the
list. I get the list without headers pertaining to the original posting. Many
times the poster does not identify his/her email address within the body of the
posting (no signature appended either, alas). If I do not know the individual,
I have no means of replying directly, and if I am so moved, or have something
useful to say, the only means of replying is directly to the list.
     I have complained about this before. Everyone should make SURE to include
his/her email address at the bottom of any posting!
     There's also the question of judgment. Consider the recent posting on
consonant clusters (sequences) in Russian. I actually replied directly to the
original poster (who gave an email address in the original posting! Molodets!),
but I enjoyed reading all the other suggestions. This strikes me as a
reasonable case.
     Apropos of short headers, I have done nothing to configure it that way; it
simply happened. This must be characteristic of other subscribers as well; I
know some people get a screenful of headers, as I have seen them when messages
have been forwarded to me.
     I close with my signature file! <Short version!>
     George Fowler
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George Fowler                       GFowler at Indiana.Edu [Email]
Dept. of Slavic Languages           1-812-855-2829 [office]
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Indiana University                  1-812-855-2624/-2608/-9906 [dept.]
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