In a message dated 99-10-28 00:48:50 EDT, Stephen Nowlin wrote:

<< As confusing as it is to have lengthy scrolls through line after line of
 quoted material, it can also sometimes be confusing to read a reply that
 has no reference at all to the original posting. >>

I certainly agree with this.  The only thing worse than (a) lengthy
quotations combined with lengthy new messages or (b) new messages imbedded
within lengthy quotations is (c) no context at all.  Sometimes after a thread
has extended through many messages, all with the same subject line, someone
will toss off a one-liner, such as "Me, too," "I couldn't disagree more
completely," or perhaps "You're out to lunch."  I can easily ignore these as
mere meaningless murmurs in a crowd, but when a particularly pithy or
clever-sounding note appears without a direct reference, the enigma can drive
me up the wall, as I usually have deleted the preceding messages by that time.

David Haberstich

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ museum-l.html. You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).