Re: HTML Mail (was: RE: Sending

On Wed, 6 Jun 2001, M. Lazarus wrote:

> James,
>
> At 6/6/01 03:05 PM -0600, you wrote:
> >Or those of us who choose to use text-only mail clients for exactly the
> >reasons of the virus floating around this list.
>
>   Text vs. HTML had nothing to do w/ spreading this virus.  It was sent as
> an attachment.

True, but my text-only client doesn't display attachments *or* open them.
Furthermore, I would have to explicitly include the attachment in replies
(though I guess the same is true of other clients).

>   IMHO, especially since they are available for a free download, it's time
> to upgrade (Eudora comes to mind as an example.)  I thought we have had the
> RPG/400 vs. RPG IV type of debates and the latest technology won?  HTML is
> not an immature technology.

Yes, but not every platform runs Eudora (I'm on linux).  Plus, I can use
ssh and use my client to read email over a phone line, or from anywhere on
the 'net.  I don't have to install any special software to read my mail
from any computer that has internet access.  While not perfect, when was
the last worm or virus that attacked pine?

Or how about my email client that runs on the AS/400?  Yes, it can be done
and no, I don't have any code to share (too bad - this is a project that
never got finished).  Not every platform that supports email supports HTML
formatting.  There is no reason why every client *should* support HTML
formatting.  This is not an issue of using immature technology, it is an
issue of being considerate to others (and coincidentally avoiding security
and privacy problems as Hans pointed out).

>   No flames, please.  You can decide to upgrade or not.  I'm just pointing
> out that HTML is becoming a lot more pervasive.  It's time to stop griping
> about it.  Hopefully the digest version can strip it out, though.

This is not intended as a flame.  Changing email clients would be a
*downgrade* - I would lose functionality.  I apologize for posting on a
very off-topic topic, but I've been well behaved so far - so maybe
everyone will forgive me.

James Rich
james@eaerich.com

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