[23119] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] -L format
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Cross, Matt)
Wed Nov 6 10:17:20 2002
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 06:54:36 -0800
Reply-To: "Cross, Matt" <MATTHEW.J.CROSS@SAIC.COM>
From: "Cross, Matt" <MATTHEW.J.CROSS@SAIC.COM>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Speaking as an e-mail administrator, I have to disagree with the idea that
formatting beyond plain text (ASCII) or sending attachments is the optimal
method. The number one reason deals with viruses. Viruses are spread
primarily by attachments that have been opened by a user. As much as I may
respect my Brothers, unless I know them, I am not inclined to open any
attachments that appear in my mailbox; I would sooner delete them. The
unknown danger with HTML being used as your format is the fact that HTML is
NOT just a formatting tool; it is a programming language, and as such, can
have commands buried into it that could be harmful. I understand that those
who use Hotmail and other web-based email clients have no choice in the
format that is used. However, I am sure that there are many more who want
to view the message in as simple of a format as possible.
Let's be honest -- do we really need special formatting such as bullets and
font colors to get our message across? No. Would they be nice features to
have? I can't argue against that. I would point to the thousands of email
lists that exist today and say, "What are they supporting?" I am on 7
different technically-weighted lists and all of them prefer plain-text; HTML
and unannounced attachments bring many complaints. So if the premier
Exchange administrators in the world are not in favor of getting rid of
plain text on their own lists, why should I support it here?
Matt Cross, MCSE
Network Design & Administration
SAIC -- Orlando, FL
Voice: (407) 243-3707 FAX: (407) 243-3351
mailto:matthew.j.cross@saic.com
Matt Cross
Section 74 Chair -- Alpha Phi Omega
(888) 270-0074
mailto:section.74.chair@apo.org
http://www.section74.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Alpha Phi Omega Discussion List [mailto:APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU] On
Behalf Of Vehlow, Richard
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 8:55 AM
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Subject: Re: [APO-L] -L format
With all due respect, this is almost 2003 and no longer 1988 (when APO-l was
founded) or 1993 (when APOSOC was founded). How much longer before we can
get with the times? If someone out of 500 subscribers still reads email on a
vintage TRS-80 with 300 baud modem, do we still have to keep the list at
their level, or can we encourage them to finally move up in technology
level?
I do a newsletter in Word format for my engineering society and send it out
as an attachment to over 200 people- some at home. I have yet to receive one
complaint that said newsletter can't be opened. I venture to say that a vast
majority of APOSOC people here are capable to receive rich mail and
attachments.
In my chapter, years ago i was laughed at when I first suggested that
chapter newsletters be sent by email. "Who would read their email" was the
quote. Within about 3-4 years, email newsletters became the standard in our
chapter, and are now widely done in most chapters at least. Likewise who
knew anything about the web in APO 10 years ago? So, I think it's not a
question of if we should upgrade but when.
-REV
-----Original Message-----
From: Packy Anderson [mailto:packy@daffy.dardan.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 8:44 AM
To: Vehlow, Richard
Cc: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Subject: Re: [APO-L] -L format
Vehlow, Richard [Richard.Vehlow@OGS.STATE.NY.US] writes:
> Right now, APO-L is in text-only mode. In Digest at least, more and more
> messages are becoming garbled due to web and word control characters and
> rich text.
>
> I have been on a couple of recent email lists where the Digest sends the
> messages out as separate email attachment files in the daily post. When
> you open them, they appear as they should be. Attachments, font styles
> and all. Isn't it about time to go to this format for the list?
>
I'd vote a hearty NO. It's bad enough that individual messages are coming
through in HTML and RTF, but if the entire digest came through as a bunch
of MIME attachments it would make this list nigh-impossible to read for
people who aren't using Microsoft Outlook to read their email. Personally,
I am unable to read almost half the email messages on APO-L from work
because of the way they are formatted; I have to save them and wait until I
get home.
-
I'd say the better response would be to remind people that APO-L is a text
only list, and that they should turn off Rich Text Formatting when they
send messages to the list. Yes, it means that they're not able to select
the font size and color for their messages, but it does ensure that
everyone on the list is able to read their messages.
-
YiLFS,
-packy
--
Packy Anderson packy@dardan.com
Science Fiction Geek Pickup Line: "I'm the droid you're looking for."
