thank you notes

[Rob Cozens]

>  > i am going to start sending my thank you notes
>>  directly to the person who sent the advice. this
>>  does mean a little extra cut & paste, but should
>>  reduce the info deluge if only by a little.
>>  has this ever been an issue in email etiquette?

Interesting idea, Erik.  I don't recall the issue being discussed on 
any list I've subscribed to previously.

I have no strong feelings about this, and will be happy to accede to 
the will of the majority.

If it were my call, however, I would say "Continue to post thank yous 
to the list." and here's why:

Suppose (a) I'm back from holiday after a few days not reading List 
messages, or (b) I'm a newbie looking for information on a specific 
thread in the List archives.  I find your post asking "where can I 
find ..." or "why doesn't this syntax work", an answer from Jan, an 
answer from Dar, and nothing.

Without your thank you in the thread, I don't know if the issue was 
resolved to your satisfaction, and if the two answers were different, 
I don't know which one worked and which one didn't.  The thank you 
serves to designate closure of the thread.

Other ancillary issues:

* If ten people answer, you will need to send ten thank yous instead of one.
* Are you then obligated to send "thanks for nothing" notes to people 
whose suggestion didn't work?
-- 

Rob Cozens
CCW, Serendipity Software Company
http://www.oenolog.com/who.htm

"And I, which was two fooles, do so grow three;
Who are a little wise, the best fooles bee."

from "The Triple Foole" by John Donne (1572-1631)