E-mail etiquette: To reply or not to reply, that is the question

You hit the nail on the head

You hit the nail on the head with the rude comment. A lot of editors I deal with treat freelance writers with the attitude that we are a dime a dozen. The ones that are true professionals and treat freelancers with respect work here at Computerworld!

Sounds to me like Doug's

Sounds to me like Doug's editors are being a bit rude, as well. If there's a deadline for responding, it should be noted in the email request.

It's wrong to ever assume someone is going to open email the instant it's received. Even if it's flagged as high priority (which too many people abuse), the person may be unavailable. Even if it's someone who can't stand to be out of electronic touch for 30 seconds, he or she shouldn't be checking email while in a meeting, for example, and I wouldn't expect someone to be checking it while visiting the head, either.

My mantra is, "if an immediate response is required, that's what the telephone is for; email is simply a substitution for written communications." (And by the way, if it's not critical and it's at work, don't call me, either. The telephone does get answered right away unless I recognize the telemarketer's number on the Caller ID, and answering the phone interrupts whatever I'm doing at the time.)

Doug, I feel your pain -

Doug, I feel your pain - been there many times myself! But as others have pointed out, email is UNRELIABLE and should not be relied upon for important communications.

I would inform your editor or boss that because of email unreliability (especially today with SPAM filters), s/he should follow up important emails with a call to the recipient. I'm sure as soon as they are made aware of the problem, they'll change tack.

If someone emails me

If someone emails me requesting something, I will instantly reply with an acknowledgement and estimate of a true reply. "Hi, got your request. I'll start that on Tuesday". That calms them and reduces the "send and pray" e-mail syndrome.

If they are sending a social e-mail, I usually reply with a complete answer when I have that. An exception might be, in a "Carpenter World", something like:
A. "Gathering for coffee on Tues. Can you come?"
B. "Gotta check with my SO tonight. Let you know tomorrow."

One way conversations can be nerve racking. At least let them know you heard.

Doug, you're kidding, right?

Doug, you're kidding, right? You refer to "important, time-critical email" that has "actually cost me real money" when it wasn't seen.

There should be no such thing. Email is not reliable. Period. You should know that. If you can lose money by an email not getting delivered, you shouldn't be using email. Phones, IMs, registered mail - there are lots of alternatives that suit different circumstances, but asking people to write back immediately is just stupid. Email, in case you hadn't heard, is an asynchronous communication medium when it's used properly. If you need an immediate reply or even just confirmation of receipt, use one of the alternatives.

I think you are missing my

I think you are missing my basic point here. I have had on occasion had important time-critical email messages eaten by spam filters. This has actually cost me real money vis-a-vis lost revenue. Once I know someone has received my message or attachment, then I can relax a bit until they get back to me. I do agree with you that superfluous emailing can be a problem.