[cobalt-users] Why follow RFC 1855 ?

["Vachon, Scott" <Scott.Vachon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<on the soapbox>

I have been on several Cobalt mailing lists for over a year now. I have seen
extensive debate on why a list member should not top post, why they should
snip, etc. When I first came on the list, I posted wrong and was flamed.
But, I didn't whine about following "some dumb posting rules." I took it as
an opportunity to learn from others. That was of course my intent on joining
the lists, I needed help and guidance.
Several of you note that RFC 1855 is not a Standard. It is not even a
Proposed standard but, in fact it is listed as "Informational." Therefore
you feel you do not have to adhere to it.
Why do we have RFCs ? Well, the early net pioneers had enough foresight to
know that if developments in Internetworking and Computing were left
unchecked, eventually the chaos would crush the flow of information. It is
not so unlike the process the Founding Fathers used to form our Republic and
still use to this day. One finds a better way of doing things which promises
to that benefit everyone as a whole. It may make communicating easier and
prevent "chaos " from taking over. The RFC gives them a format for posting
an idea or recommendation and refining it. Hopefully, the benefits are
worthy of making it a standard. If not, it is often informally adopted by
net users as a "better way of doing business."
RFC 1855 is a better way of doing business. It streamlines posts by
providing a dependable format which archives easily. It cuts out repetition
and white noise. It even provides a mechanism for including emotion (yes, it
encourages limited use of emoticons) to enhance a recipients understanding
of the authors intent.
A majority of us using the lists use this format. We want RFC 1855 followed
here. If you choose to deviate from the Meta-Faq, it is a good bet you will
be warned, and then flamed. If you don't want to be a participant of this
community because of the requirements, then move on. Start a new list where
you post as you wish. None of us likes to waste time asking a list member to
snip, bottom post, etc. 
Hey, I hate writing checks but, some folks just won't take credit cards. So
if I really want the item, I have to follow their rules. Such is life !

<off the soap box, asbestos suit on>