[Python-ideas] Consistency in naming [was Re: ...ALL CAPS] (off-list)

[Ned Batchelder]

On 2/3/19 6:01 PM, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
> (1) Taking the group discussion off-list should be done rarely, and
> usually only for personal messages that shouldn't be shared
> publically, or by mutual agreement for off-topic discussions.
>
> I can't see Ned's original comment in either my inbox, or at the
> archives, so it seems that he took the discussion off-list. I don't know
> why. It doesn't strike me as either personal or off-topic, so taking it
> off-list seems to be both unnecessary and a little rude to the rest of
> the group -- why were the rest of us excluded?
>
> But since Ned apparently intended to take it off-list, it is only polite
> to respect that your reply.
>
>
> (2) The long-standing tradition is to put "OFFLIST" at the *start* of
> the subject line, not the end where it is easy to overlook.
>
> To make it even more clear, we should explicitly state that the
> message is off-list at the top of the message.
>
> (Especially if you intend the message to be confidential.)

I replied to James privately because I felt that the question of 
"Python's decline," and James' reasons for believing it to be so, were 
not on-topic for a list about suggestions for improving Python.  It also 
seemed to me that it could easily devolve into an unproductive 
discussion for such a large group.  But, it was probably also of 
interest to the group, many of whom were probably wondering the same 
things I was, so I can see how it could have stayed in the list (where 
it now is.)

It also seemed to me to be a topic which could easily result in James 
feeling at a disadvantage, being on the other side of a subjective 
debate from the bulk of the group. I had hoped to discuss it with him in 
a setting that was less likely to get heated.

I didn't mean to be rude to anyone.

--Ned.