On Mon, 21 Oct 2002 alandd@mindspring.com wrote:

> On 21 Oct 2002 11:37:53 -0700 yarddog <yarddog@yarddog.org> wrote:
> > email etiquitte dude. dont write in html. u
> > should know that by now.
>
> I most certainly agree that HTML email is should not be used as the default
> for all email communication.  Plain text is much preferred.
>
> However, I think it is large presumption to assume that everyone on this list
> "should know that by now."  How can we know that a person knows this etiquitte
> rule?  Better to teach by saying "Most email lists, incuding this one, find
> HTML emails unacceptable because..." than to deride someone that may simply be
> ignorant.
>
> Many people using HTML email don't know it.  We should teach before we attack.
>

	You'd be astonished how many people simply aren't receptive to
this, but probably not by their choise of OS/way of thinking. I'm wholly
surprised at Lee's attitude on the subject, especially as a Linux user.
For the most part, *nix users tend to be open minded and receptive, but
his 'just delete my messages' attitude makes my teeth itch.  I think
today's artillery fire should be enough to discourage readers from using
HTML. However, I do agree with the suggestion about filtering HTML, or
simply rejecting messages with embedded tags (I like that better, since
people would have to retool to post.)

- billn