Commas

[Briar]

This came up in an Anthropology course.

[The Lady Shael]

Journalism style says the second choice. I was on the newspaper staff in high school, so that's the way I've always done it.

[windhound]

Both are technically correct I think
I do tend to use the first though, as its just more logical to me.

Compaq, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, and Toshiba all make laptops.  I add a comma after each entry then add an and when I'm done

[Gen. Volkov]

According to my English teacher, the first is correct.

[Krowdon]

I voted for the first one cause thats how I normally write it. :D

[Daryn]

always did first :)

[Briar]

In the class, there was discussion on how North Americans normally go with the first choice, while Europeans go with the second...any proof to back this up?

[Saladin]

I <3 ,

[Genevieve]

In the class, there was discussion on how North Americans normally go with the first choice, while Europeans go with the second...any proof to back this up?

The proof is that Americans do most English-related things wrong. :P
I'm Australian and went with the second one, even though it looks less logical, I think it is more correct.

[Daryn]

Australian?

[Ungatt Trunn II]

Americans may be stupid, but we have more bombs!!

I use both depending on the situation.

[Daryn]

ehhhh...

[windhound]

Sometimes these items are things you do, or places you go.
E.g. Yesterday I went to work, played badminton, went to the pub and then went to bed.
I'm going to spend my holiday walking on the beach, sleeping in the sun and reading my book.

BEWARE!
Always make sure you use and to separate the last two items in your list.
Make sure that you don't use a comma before the word and at the end of your list.

- http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/punctuation/commas/factsheet1.shtml

Put commas between items in a list. When giving a short and simple list of things in a sentence, the last comma (right before the conjunction–usually and or or) is optional, but it is never wrong. If the items in the list are longer and more complicated, you should always place a final comma before the conjunction.

    EITHER: You can buy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in Los Angeles.
    OR: You can buy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in Los Angeles.
    BUT ALWAYS: A good student listens to his teachers without yawning, reads once in a while, and writes papers before they are due.

- http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/commas.html

Seems its true.  The US system tolerates both methods.  The British system, as defined by the BBC, says you -must not- have a comma before the and.
The two systems clash in reference to the "But Always" clause, one stating you -must- use a comma to clearly define your list, the other saying hold fast to the "no comma before and" rule.

[Genevieve]

Australian?

Um yes?

[Night Wolf]

I was always taught to do it the second way but I think I probably do it the first way more often than not.