[gl4java-usergroup] Replying to the list vs replying privately

[Max G. <gi...@ye...>]

Hello!

I know that this topic sometimes sparks heated discussions but it's not 
my intention to do so. I'd just like to kindly request what I wrote below:

I'd like to suggest that answers to the questions asked on GL4Java lists 
(and, in general, on all technical mailing lists) are sent back to the 
list and not privately to the sender.

If everyone replied to the list it would contribute to the general 
knowledge base of all list members. It is often the case that someone 
asks some question and other people would also be very interested in 
hearing an answer. Plus the question AND answer is in the list archives 
and people can search list history to find both questions AND answers. I 
believe it would be beneficial for all.

On the contrary, if replies are sent to the person who asks privately, 
nobody else is getting the answers and other people who would also like 
to know the answer are either forced to ask the question again or (if 
it's not that important to them) will be just left uninformed.

The recent Mark's post was an excellent example of this. If Mark wasn't 
kind enough to supply a summary we wouldn't even know that he received 
ANY replies except the one posted to the list (and I don't know, maybe I 
was the twentieth person who sent him a suggestion and it wasn't really 
even needed anymore?)

My 2 cents :-)

Bye,
Max