Gmail and the ubuntu-users list 'Reply-To:' question

[Amedee Van Gasse]

Op 31-12-10 21:23, James Freer schreef:
> On 31 December 2010 20:06, Ric Moore<wayward4now at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> On Fri, 2010-12-31 at 13:49 -0600, Cybe R. Wizard wrote:
>>> Hi, list,
>>>
>>> I've noticed that , when I reply to a gmail eddress, the Reply-To: is
>>> set to both the list and the OP.  Is this standard practice for gmail
>>> (the default), can it be changed if so, or are the users setting it,
>>> themselves?
>>>
>>> I ask because it is my custom to /not/ send replies to the OP unless
>>> specifically asked (and I believe it is the list 'rule', too) and I
>>> don't want to fail to do so if the OP wishes for a direct reply.  I've
>>> been waffling about what to do and how and why for a couple of days and
>>> thought it best to ask you, the other list users.
>>>
>>> Please, don't send me direct replies; I read the list.    ;-]
>>
>> I use gmail (pop) and evolution. I DO see headers at times that include
>> the poster's email address in the "reply to". I figured it was their
>> preferences that made it so as I don't see it happening as a general
>> rule. Ric

> It depends on how the list is set up on the server iirc. Yahoogroups
> are all set up to reply to the list. This list along with all my
> others on this python powered thingy are reply to OP. clicking reply
> to all will send a copy to the list and direct to the OP. If one uses
> an email client one can configure it there to send to the list only. I
> raised the same question a few years ago and someone replied from my
> LUG group and explained all - sorry i can't find it to give a more
> technical view.

I use Thunderbird and it has one, two or three reply buttons, depending 
on the context:

One correspondent:
# Reply

Multiple correspondents:
# Reply
# Reply all

Mailing list mail:
# Reply
# Reply to list
# Reply all (by default hidden behind a dropdown)

In the context of a mailing list mail, I would assume that they function 
like this:

# Reply -> only to the original sender
# Reply to list -> only to the list
# Reply all -> to the original sender and to the list.

This sounds logical, but it's not always true. It seems to depend on the 
mailing list. I find that annoying. Why meddle with the original sender 
and the reply button if I have a perfectly working reply to list button? 
I assume that all sensible mail clients have a reply to list button, and 
if they haven't, then they are clearly broken and you should file a bug 
report. <end of rant>

Here are some of the mailing lists that I am subscribed to.

Reply goes to SENDER
sounder at lists.ubuntu.com
awstats-public at lists.sourceforge.net
colony-discuss at colony.be
colony-events at colony.be
linux.com.users at lists.linux-foundation.org
lpi-benelux at lpi.org
lpi-new-policy at lpi.org
munin-users at lists.sourceforge.net
spambayes at python.org


Reply goes to LIST
ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
freedos-user at lists.sourceforge.net
mobile-vikings-api-users at googlegroups.com
agile-system-administration at googlegroups.com
itpro at lists.geekdinner.be
openstandaarden at openstandaarden.be
sferocytose at yahoogroups.com
medewerkers at tik.be


At first glance it seems that really technical (and mostly Linux minded) 
lists send replies to sender, and general audience lists send replies to 
the list. That's just for what my anecdotal evidence is worth...

-- 
Amedee