Re: New list setup

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Paul wrote:
> I'm about to finish setting up the new address for the
> MF 3D forum.  I'm interested in the group's thoughts on
> the "reply-to" address.  I've read this:
> 
> http://garcon.unicom.com/FAQ/reply-to-harmful.html
> 
> and understand the reasoning, but haven't decided what
> would be best for this group.  Anyone have strong
> feelings on whether replies should go to the author
> or to the list?
> 

I'm pretty surprised to see this.  This is the first time I've seen
anyone try to claim that (correctly) setting "Reply-To:" (which is not
a required header and so can be set to whatever the adding software
wants) is bad or wrong.  Many (if not all) of the arguments mentioned
in the page cited above are bogus.

I think that before deciding anything we need to know what software
are you going to use to run the mailing list?  Depending on the
software setting "Reply-To:" may or may not be easy to do.  Majordomo
makes setting "Reply-To:" easy on a per list basis.  Whenever
Majordomo sets "Reply-To:" it does not hide the originator of the
message, so (depending on your mail reader) you can still reply to the
originator without replying to the list.  Whatever they use for
photo-3d et al requires (at least in the version they are using or
learned to use) setting all the lists the same.

Next the purpose of the list needs to be defined.  For a discussion
list (which MF3D is) setting "Reply-To:" to the list is useful.  For a
marketplace list like sell-3d (where transactions are supposed to take
place off list) setting "Reply-To:" is annoying.

The problem with not setting "Reply-To:" and using group reply instead
is that the person being replied to (Paul in this case, me if anyone
replies to this message) will usually wind up receiving two copies of
the reply, or the list will not receive any copies.  On lists where
"Reply-To:" isn't set I can go days before I realize that I didn't
send the message to the whole list.  The purpose of a discussion
mailing list (as opposed to an announcement list) is to enable easy
discussion among the members of the list.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
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http://www.panix.com/~reynolds  |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
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