[horde] [imp] default reply behavior in dimp/imp

[Simon Brereton]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: horde-bounces at lists.horde.org [mailto:horde-
> bounces at lists.horde.org] On Behalf Of Brent

<SNIP>
> The problem is that most users know Outlook, and Outlook has a Reply
> button which means "Reply to Sender".  That label/button is ingrained
> into people...you can't change it.  So, when a Horde user sees a
> "Reply" button, they will logically assume it is going to the person
> that sent the message.  Sure, there is a pop-up that indicates what
> is going to happen, but habits are hard to break.  I think there
> should be another button like Outlook has for "Reply To All"; or if
> you insist on the one-button-to-rule-them-all, make the button text
> say something like "Reply To..." and force the user choose what they
> want.
>   I don't think any button with logic behind it should automatically
> make a default selection, especially with a heated debate about what
> the default should be.  Developers seem to like their feature, while
> users/administrators want to change it.
> >
> >> wants to do and in my opinion everybody who do not realize the
> >> difference between both should not use a computer at all
> >
> > You do realize that like 98% of computer users doesn't know the
> > difference between forward or reply, don't you? Or even what *is*
> the
> > mailing list?
> 
> And THIS is the reason for the default.  The Horde list people grew
> tired of people hitting "Reply" and not having it go to the list and
> then had to explain to the user how to use the list appropriately.  I
> can deal with switching between email clients and an extra click to
> do what I want, but most people don't pay attention, which is the
> point you make above:  "98% of computer users doesn't know the
> difference between forward or reply".
> 
> I'm all for progress in the UI, and I personally don't mind the new
> feature.  As as administrator, however, the change is actually quite
> drastic and that's why people are asking for the previous behaviour.
> It won't matter how much information you send out to your users
> pimping the new features of the uber-Horde, the first time a high-
> level exec hits "Reply" and says something disparaging to the sender
> of the message and didn't notice it went out as "Reply to All"
> who/what is going to be blamed?
> 
> I think there's a Dilbert cartoon in there somewhere.

I couldn't agree more.  I'm not sure that I personally care one way or the other.  But I know users care a great deal (there's a Chief Exec in the UK at the moment getting roasted because of an email he replied-to-all when he wanted to forward it and he's using the ridiculous defence that his account was hacked).  Not that this would have prevented his stupidity.  But as an admin, I'd like to be able to go into the configuration and set the default behaviour.  I use IMP, Gnome, Gmail, Outlook,  Evolution and a couple of mobile clients all day long and the two I find most annoying are the ones with this behaviour.  Programmatically, it isn't difficult, and if I had the skills, I'd patch it myself.  If the Horde team aren't willing to compromise their principles, I can live with that - I just hope someone can provide a patch.  But ultimately, I'd like to see it as a configuration option.

Simon