Is the contact list organized alphabetically, or by recentness of contact, or frequency of contact, or what?

And how does a person get on the "quick contact" list? Sometimes people get put on the list and I don't know how or why it happened.

You mean in Gmail?

The contact list in Gmail is organised alphabetically, yes.

<< And how does a person get on the "quick contact" list? Sometimes people get put on the list and I don't know how or why it happened. >>

By default, contacts who are mailed frequently will appear on the Quick Contact list. This can be altered by changing the "show in quick contacts?" option on the main Contacts screen.

Once a person is on that list (yes, I am talking about G-mail), does he/she drop off over time if contact ceases?

thanks folks...

I would still like to know if names are removed from the list after a period of disuse, or if they stay there...