On Mon, Sep 22, 2003 at 09:59:59AM -0700, Kenneth Smith wrote:
> The Bottom response was a method originally when we had 14k modems to
> force the responder to be sure they cut as much of the Fluff out of the
> message as possible.

I know I'm fighting a losing battle but I can't resist.  It has
nothing to do with connection speed, IMHO.  Compare this
interaction:

  http://mail.mems-exchange.org/pipermail/mems-talk/2003-July/010566.html
  http://mail.mems-exchange.org/pipermail/mems-talk/2003-July/010571.html
  http://mail.mems-exchange.org/pipermail/mems-talk/2003-July/010579.html

with this one:

  http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2003-September/037909.html
  http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2003-September/037911.html
  http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2003-September/037918.html

I find the latter much easier to follow.  See also:

    http://www.dickalba.demon.co.uk/usenet/guide/faq_topp.html

I'll give up now. :-)

  Neil