[oclug] [OT] Stormix troubles...

[Raymond Wood]

On Thu, Feb 08, 2001 at 07:56:21AM -0500, Shad Young wrote:
> Oh please,
> 
> Any *nix dinosaur that refuses to use html is the one that suffers. 

I absolutely detest HTML email.  It was invented by proprietary email client
developers who needed 'yet another feature the competition doesn't have' to
market their products, but who didn't have any truly worthwhile (i.e.
non-redundant) ideas at the time.  As the Linux Doctor might say, 'HTML mail is
philosophically wrong.' :)  It simply has no redeeming qualities.

If that makes me a "*nix dinosaur", then I'll wear that label proudly.

> Back when
> I first started with this OS, was on a 14.4k modem and only had pine to chose
> from it was considered courtesy to not send html mail. These days just about
> every mail client on the planet has the capability of reading it and frankly
> the continued "courtesy ban" is just plain stupid. 

Stupidity often breeds stupidity.  The real stupidity IMO is that HTML email,
like a virus, was foisted upon the world in the first place, and that then (of
course) all other email clients had to invent/include functionality that would
permit them to deal with this 'HTML email virus'.

> If there are any who dont wish to use html, thats their problem. 

I don't use HTML *for email*.  I use it for webpages i.e. I use it 
appropriately.  That's not a bug, it's a feature  :)

> They can suffer through the tags or
> turn on html in their client and get with the 90's (let alone the new
> millenuim).

Fortunately there are other alternatives.  In my case I use Mutt which 
simply ignores the noxious HTML email component (tho it is available as an
'attachment' if for some reason access to it is necessary [which it never is]).
When I reply to such an email, it goes out as plain text of course.

Those (spammers) who send HTML-only emails are summarily deleted without
reading.  *That's* the way to deal with modern 'inventions' like HTML email - 
Just Say Know[TM]!

[snip]

Anyhow, that's my rant for the week.  Welcome back Shad (you really know how
to make an entrance, don't you :)  But seriously, I hope you will consider
sticking around for some of the 'on topic' discussions, cos some of us around
here miss ya laddie.

<I know, I know: 'aw shucks' >

Raymond