TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Digests & Summaries From:"Maureen J. Akins" <csvmja -at- ADMIN -dot- AC -dot- EDU> Date:Wed, 23 Jun 1993 08:57:15 EST
Karen said:
>I'd rather have lots of short messages on a topic than a long summary
>to read. I am on other lists that follow this procedure, and I lose
>interest by the third screen. Also, you have to keep the whole file
>instead of just the relevant portions.
>--Karen
> karenk -at- netcom -dot- com
-------
I have techwr-l set for digests because I don't have enough time for the
volume. This is an interesting group and I've enjoyed reading the
messages. I find it easier to read a string of messages once a day than
many different ones throughout the day.
I found a way around the problem that Karen pointed out about keeping the
entire message. When I have something that I want to keep, or pass on to
others, I extract just that portion. The mail system I use will allow me
to highlight and copy specific areas. Then I paste that section into a new
message and mail it back to myself. There are other mail systems here that
can't use the Cut&Paste idea - so I've shown them how to "forward" the
message and include the original to themselves. Then they can erase the
unneeded lines in their editor. The original, usually much longer,
message can then be deleted.
About summaries in general - I believe that the content of the message
should dictate whether the response is sent to the group or if it should be
sent to the individual. Reponses to questions like "how to I undelete a
file?" or "where can I find a driver for xxxxx equipment?, are
specific questions and should be sent to the individual. That individual
should ***summarize*** (not quote each message back to us) for the benefit
of the group. Questions like "Are your working conditions as bad as mine?"
are discussion questions that should be directed back to the group.
Limiting the length of the message is difficult because a "screen" is
not the same length in each mail package. I use POPMail and my message
screen is only 11 lines. Others here use Elm and the screen length there
is about 21 lines. So I can't tell how many lines you can see on one
screen.
Maureen
-----
Maureen Akins, Support Specialist
Augusta College Computer Services, 2500 Walton Way, Augusta GA 30904-2200
Internet mailing address: makins -at- admin -dot- ac -dot- edu
PHONE: (706) 737-1484 GIST: 337-1484 FAX: (706) 737-1773
