GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 620255
non-user-friendly preferences string: 'Top Posting Option (not Recommended)'
Last modified: 2013-07-15 16:41:13 UTC
The following bug was reported in Launchpad and is being forwarded here: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/evolution/+bug/588298 Original text: "evolution has under Edit/Preferences/Composer Preferences the following: 'Top Posting Option (Not Recommened)'. While I would certainly not enable the option personally, it seems rather non-Ubuntu-like to have the '(Not Recommended)'. Maybe I am missing something, but it seems like a developer asserting his/her preference on bottom-posting rather than any 'real' issue with the functionality. I suggest the default remain the same but the '(Not Recommended)' be removed." This is reported against evolution 2.28.3 (-0ubuntu9).
I would say this string is more to do with open source mailing style because we discourse people to do top post as it breaks message flow in threaded conversation. This option is provided for Outlook addict people.
typo correction - s/discourse/discourage
(In reply to comment #1) > I would say this string is more to do with open source mailing style because we > discourse people to do top post as it breaks message flow in threaded > conversation. This option is provided for Outlook addict people. Open source mailing lists might prefer this , but an average user wouldnt understand why it is "not recommended". Does this really prevent top posting? :) I tried looking at all the preferences and this seems to be the only option "Not recommended". It is better to remove the string than to explain why it is not recommended. Further , From help documentation: "Top Posting is not recommended because placing the signature other than at the end of the message is against the mailing standards." Is it against mailing "standards" or mailing list etiquette? [probably a separate bug ;) ]
Feel free to rewrite the Evolution User Docs to the mallard format. Then we can have context sensitive help. Apart from that I'd like to keep it as <arguments all known>.
Created attachment 167166 [details] [review] Removes string Attaching a patch we applied in Ubuntu (In reply to comment #4) > Feel free to rewrite the Evolution User Docs to the mallard format. > Then we can have context sensitive help. > > Apart from that I'd like to keep it as <arguments all known>. Right , we couldnt hold our breath for that to happen.
I would rather make "Not recommended" a hyperlink to the relevant section of the user docs.
(In reply to comment #6) > I would rather make "Not recommended" a hyperlink to the relevant section of > the user docs. Bug 560321 is more relevant. - We are marking the wrong option as 'not recommended' , this option /does not/ control top posting. Signature alone is moved to the top [afaik , that isnt top posting] - Start typing at bottom is the option which is enabled by default here. [disabling this option is what results in top posting] Marking any option in the current prefs window with a hyperlink is misleadingly wrong and does not actually solve what is intended either. What can be done is: - when user tries to disable "Start typing..." option > we can pop-up a dialogue window explaining what why not to choose it. Which is a better way of trying to get folks to /not/ top-post. ;)
(In reply to comment #7) > What can be done is: > - when user tries to disable "Start typing..." option > we can pop-up a > dialogue window explaining what why not to choose it. err , i meant "why not to disable it."
We currently do not have a page about top-posting in the new user docs at http://library.gnome.org/users/evolution/3.5/ . If anybody volunteers to write it in Mallard markup, please contact me here. Afterwards it could be linked by using e_display_help (window, "help-page-name")
Obsolete in 3.8. Available options are: * Start typing at the bottom on replying * Keep signature above the original message on replying