Date:         Tue, 13 Dec 2005 11:54:47 -0500
Reply-To:     Richard Ristow <wrristow@mindspring.com>
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Richard Ristow <wrristow@mindspring.com>
Subject:      Recommendation against off-list responding
In-Reply-To:  <439E3CC0.4020900@flinders.edu.au>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 10:15 PM 12/12/2005, Kylie Lange wrote, regarding inquiry
"matching text values with blanks"

>I've received an off-list response to this that works perfectly, so my
>question can now be ignored.

Good.

In general, though, I'd encourage on-list responses, especially initial
responses. (I've sometimes gone off-list with interchanges that became
extended.)

- If you respond on-list, the rest of us will know that there's been a
response, and will know not to post ourselves. Kylie let us know in
this case, but responding on-list in the first place is easier.

- Or, if there's something wrong with the response, or it invites
amplification, the rest of will know that, too, and have an opportunity
to continue the discussion.

- And, while most topics on the list are initiated by specific
questions, the list isn't a question-and-answer resource, but a
discussion forum. Others, not just the original questioner, should have
the opportunity to learn from answers.

-On-list,
  Richard