[pct-l] Posting Etiquette: Some tips especially for Gmail Users

[Betty Wheeler]

Dear Dan, Al and all,
I see these "please trim your posts" requests regularly on PCT-L, and it
occurs to me that *some people may not be aware of the exact steps they
need to take to do this, particularly in Gmail,* which hides the quoted
text and subject line when you are composing a reply.

So --* If you are using Gmail, PLEASE follow these steps in replying to
PCT-L:*
*
*
*1. Delete the text of the message you are replying to:*

   - After you hit "reply" to respond to a post on the PCT-L, you will see,
   in the area where you type your reply, a small gray rectangular box with
   three dots -- this is something Gmail automatically puts into your reply.
    It's easy to overlook. Do not overlook it.
   - *Click on the gray rectangular box with 3 dots.*
   - You will then see the full text of the email you are replying to. Even
   if you don't click on the gray rectangular box, and don't see this full
   text, it IS part of your reply, and everyone on the list will get it in
   their email, unless you click on the box to display and then delete this
   text.
   - *Delete EVERYTHING that is shown when you click on that box* -- all
   the text of the message you are replying to -- unless there is a very small
   part you want to leave, to give context to your message. Even if you are
   replying to an individual email, rather than to a Digest email, there is
   probably a lot of text that you don't need to include in your reply.

*2. Delete everyone except PCT-L from your reply:*

   - In the header of your reply (above your message), you will see the
   email addresses to which your email will be sent. Leave only the
   pct-l at backcountry.net email, and click the X to remove other email
   addresses.

*3. Change the subject line when you change topics or when you are replying
to a Digest email:*

   - Look for the left-pointing arrow, at the left side of the header.
   Click on that arrow, then click on "Edit subject."* If the subject line
   starts with "Digest...", please change the subject line to the actual
   subject of your message.*

*If you are replying in Gmail from an Android phone*, the process may be
different. After you hit "reply," look for a box that says "QUOTE TEXT."
This box is checked by default, which means if you don't un-check it, you
will be sending the entire message you are replying to as part of your
email. *Please un-check the "quote text" box.*

*If you aren't a Gmail user, and need help* figuring out how to remove
quoted text or change the subject line in your reply, write me off-list and
I'll help you figure it out.

Yours for better List housekeeping,
Betty