Subject: Should I thank for posted advice?

25. *****
 Q: Should I post a thank-you note about a response I have got on
the Usenet news.

 A: Good manners never hurt, even if not everyone automatically
expects to be thanked for posting advice. However, if you do, there
are some very important considerations to think of.
   If you wish to send a thank-you response, use email, and email
only. Do _not_ post your individual thank you note to the Usenet
news. Many newsgroups have over a hundred thousand readers. Hence
posted thank-you notes are, quite rightly, considered superfluous
traffic.
   If you have received emailed advice from many quarters and wish
to thank collectively, please do not do that either on the Usenet
news. One notable exception. If you summarize for the benefit of the
other readers the information which you have received.
   If you use email, then tell your benefactor what you are thanking
him/her for. Some users handle so much Usenet postings and email
that unless you do they will have no idea what your thanks is
related to. They'll just be baffled.
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