Re: [PHP] PHP RFC # 0001 --- List Etiquette - PHP

On Nov 28, 2007 10:56 AM, Jay Blanchard <jblanchard@pocket.com> wrote:
> [snip]
> So the summary of my proposal is as follows:
>
> 1.) An issue has been identified with the list whereby
> improper archival will likely lead to repeat questions and unnecessary
> traffic to the list.
> 2.) I propose that we discontinue the act of subject
> modification to indicate a change in status of the issue (SOLVED,
> ALSO, ANOTHER PROBLEM, etc.) unless a completely different problem is
> reached or question is asked. This will allow a step-by-step document
> (of sorts) to be created and made "searchable" on the web.
> [/snip]
>
> This has been the expected behavior (adding [SOLVED]) for a long time
> though it does not occur as often as it should. It has been in the
> NEWBIE GUIDE for a long time and has been a de-facto standard on IT or
> computer related mailing lists like this for years.
>


Jay,

See how simple it was to remove the [SOLVED] tag and maintain the
track of the discussion?

I'm aware that the NEWBIE GUIDE has that entry. For those not aware:

9. It's always a good idea to post back to the list once you've solved
your problem. People usually add [SOLVED] to the subject line of their
email when posting solutions. By posting your solution you're helping
the next person with the same question. [contribued by Chris W Parker]

However, doing this defeats the purpose of a mailing list archive,
and prompts unnecessary repetition of help requests for an issue that
may have been "discussed to death" just five days prior. Again, the
[SOLVED] tag is great on a forum, where you can quickly scan for that
topic that you know has a solution. However, on a mailing list it
only serves to create confusion, separation of problem and solution,
and exasperation on behalf of the searcher when viewing the issue on a
search engine or in the archives.

If we expect people to first attempt to help themselves, we should
not knowingly contribute to their inevitable failure.

--
Daniel P. Brown
[office] (570-) 587-7080 Ext. 272
[mobile] (570-) 766-8107

If at first you don't succeed, stick to what you know best so that you
can make enough money to pay someone else to do it for you.