Comments on: Please, no HTML! http://universitydiary.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/please-no-html/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:35:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Ultan http://universitydiary.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/please-no-html/#comment-678 Ultan Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:28:35 +0000 http://universitydiary.wordpress.com/?p=442#comment-678 ASCII characters won't give you maximum compatability in terms of communication at all, but exclude most people from communicating in their native language. However, I'm not a fan of HTML formatted emails either - they're annoying, the formatting adds no value, and it can also play havoc for users with visual disabilities. That said, we are moving towards a scenario of richer user experiences, way beyond HTML capability. Furthermore, some HTML syntax - for links - is definitely preferable in e-mail instead of attaching huge files to the e-mail when they should really be referenced on a server. From a user experience viewpoint your device should render the text the way you want it, if it can't, then maybe it's the *device* that's being pedantic. You can't expect senders to know.... ASCII characters won’t give you maximum compatability in terms of communication at all, but exclude most people from communicating in their native language.

However, I’m not a fan of HTML formatted emails either – they’re annoying, the formatting adds no value, and it can also play havoc for users with visual disabilities. That said, we are moving towards a scenario of richer user experiences, way beyond HTML capability. Furthermore, some HTML syntax – for links – is definitely preferable in e-mail instead of attaching huge files to the e-mail when they should really be referenced on a server.

From a user experience viewpoint your device should render the text the way you want it, if it can’t, then maybe it’s the *device* that’s being pedantic. You can’t expect senders to know….

]]> By: Jason Ruane http://universitydiary.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/please-no-html/#comment-677 Jason Ruane Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:04:19 +0000 http://universitydiary.wordpress.com/?p=442#comment-677 I didn't even like it when the world moved from monospace or fixed-width font systems. I preferred it when sending a mail from a fixed width system, such as a VAX terminal would probably arrive in a similar machine at the destination. There was a subtle comfort in its simplicity; lowly whitespace characters could be used for things akin to comedic timing in speech. I guess I am the arche-TYPE-al fan of Courier 10, appreciative of ASCII art and bandwidth efficiency. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII_art I didn’t even like it when the world moved from monospace or fixed-width font systems. I preferred it when sending a mail from a fixed width system, such as a VAX terminal would probably arrive in a similar machine at the destination. There was a subtle comfort in its simplicity; lowly whitespace characters could be used for things akin to comedic timing in speech.
I guess I am the arche-TYPE-al fan of Courier 10, appreciative of ASCII art and bandwidth efficiency.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII_art

]]> By: Scott Mahler http://universitydiary.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/please-no-html/#comment-676 Scott Mahler Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:29:36 +0000 http://universitydiary.wordpress.com/?p=442#comment-676 As a computer programming myself, I have to agree with you. While I appreciate the attempt at originality, there are many potential problems, especially when you consider the fact that most of these people don't really know what they are doing. As a computer programming myself, I have to agree with you. While I appreciate the attempt at originality, there are many potential problems, especially when you consider the fact that most of these people don’t really know what they are doing.

]]>