Is it true that it is not desirable to send HTML e-mail messages? I
got an answer (still no solution) from one of the Microsoft people
about trying to set HTML as a default, and she said I shouldn't do
it. Yet at this point I am the only one of my friends & acquaintances
that doesn't have a pretty font type & color, and I haven't had any
trouble receiving these, and I know many are sent to whole groups of
people. Aren't they in HTML? (I can't ask how they do it because none
have Apples, and I'm beginning to wonder why I do -- it has certainly
not been "intuitive" as promised.)
It is my understanding that I can't do this (change the font & color)
unless my message is in HTML.
This is one of those "can of worms" debates that will pop up every so
often in newsgroups. What I tell you is only my opinion as is what
anyone else tells you is his opinion no matter how much either of us
quotes the "rules".
Granted, years ago some folks composed some rules of etiquette about
sending email and posting in newsgroups. (These folks were wise but they
were not gods and you -are- allowed to disagree with them so long as you
have reason to back up your thinking.) I believe these are still good
guidelines today although back then the guidelines were developed
primarily for very low bandwidth (modem) communications. Today, I
believe these rules are still valuable because of the sheer volume of
data that active Internet users receive.
These are my own rules of thumb:
1. If I don't know who will receive my message I will use the lowest
common denominator mail format, which is plain text. No HTML, no color,
no fonts other than my plain text font such as Courier (typewriter
font). Plain text will reliably display on anyone else's computer. HTML
will not.
2. When posting to newsgroups I use only plain text. See #1.
3. If I'm comfortable and I know my recipient (family member, friend,
long-time pen pal) is comfortable with HTML emails then HTML is OK.
However...
4. I will never rely on HTML to get my point across to someone. If I
want to emphasize how important something is to somebody I can bold a
word, italicize a word, enlarge a word, put the word in a script font
and make it three times larger than the rest of the other text but all
this is lost if my recipient decides to view my message in plain text.
5. HTML is necessary for displaying pictures within your emails. If you
send pictures with descriptions to people then you will have to use
HTML. But never send pictures to newsgroups unless they are "binary"
newsgroups. Binary in this context simply means something other than
text such as pictures or attachments.
6. In newsgroups as with most email that I receive I want to know what
you're talking about right away. I use subject lines with meaning such
as "I need help attaching files to an email" as opposed to "HELP! HELP!
I CAN'T MAKE THIS WORK!"
7. Emails can be re-read and so I think too much information is not
really a problem. But break down your information into easy to read
chunks.
8. I don't care to read your cutsie signature with a witty random quote
nor do I care to see 50 lines of your company's privacy policy about why
I should print and eat your email if it's not intended for me. I do
greatly appreciate, however, that you sign your email somehow and if you
expect me to respond then always include a telephone number or expect
that I will be emailing you a reply.
(This is just personal: I like to know your name and I like to respond
by saying "Hi <your name>!". Hi! I'm bill!
)
9. Email is not urgent. It moves quickly between servers but you can
never guarantee when someone will read it. If you need me to respond in
five minutes or sometime today then call me.
10. When responding to lengthy emails or newsgroup posts (such as this
one), please snip out all the material that doesn't apply to your
response. Snip liberally. If you must quote everything then add your
comments inline to mine rather than stacking your message on top of mine
or posting it beneath mine.
11. Top posting vs. bottom posting is the biggest can of worms when
speaking about newsgroup etiquette. My opinion and why I like my opinion
whether others do or not is:
I don't care either way so long as you've snipped liberally and I can
read the first paragraph of your response without having to scroll my
window on my 9-inch MacPlus screen.
12. When in Rome... Lurk on a newsgroup or mailing list for a while
before posting. Get the feel of the group. Is it civil or chaotic? Are
your feelings easily hurt? You may not want to participate or you may be
very eager to participate. Add your unique contribution to the group
(it's welcome!) but post appropriately.
13. Don't "troll". Can you "reinforce your argument rather than raising
your voice"? That's conversation and discussion. Or do you call people
idiots and post pro Microsoft slogans in the Apple newsgroups for no
reason? That's trolling.
I'm sure I could go on with how to manage your finances and which
churches you should or should not attend but I'll stop here. I'll end
with saying that I believe even on the Internet the golden rule still
applies: "Do unto others..."
Hope this helps! bill
