At 01:58 even 11/2/02 +0530, MJ wrote:
Philip S Tellis wrote:
When posting a message on a mailing list, should the original poster make sure his lines wrap at a particular column, or not? If yes, which column? If yes, or no, why?
Yes. Should *try* to make sure they wrap at 50-75 for readability sake. This should be a guideline, no rule. If a poster doesn't follow it she's simply being impolite to the group (think reputation).
Can you please explain to me why is readability reduced if one does not break at a particular column (wraping is not the correct word here I suppose)? A good mail client will do the wraping where you with it to. Implying impoliteness here is unfair as there is yet to be explained a good reason for breaking. An imbecile mail client is no excuse.
The only problem which I can think of is - in case of this reply for example, I suppose my lines will get wrapped at some column by you client which will introduce non quoted short lines. Well this is not my fault as if you use no line breaking then my reply will appear correct.
I have had readability problems with broken lines at arbitrary columns (no complete & efficient use of available screen space) - no problems with unbroken lines. This is using both Eudora & Emacs.
quasi