MESSAGE
| DATE | 2005-03-03 |
| FROM | Billy
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [hangout] We have truly lost it ....
|
Martin, Jared wrote:
> I've found that my Blackberry doesn't terminate lines the way you like, but
> what about this line from Outlook? What happens if I send it as rich text or
> html?
Please don't.
> Here are my arguments of why I feel you can't expect the world to use
> linefeeds at the end of each line in e-mails:
Very good.
> * Understand the implications of being in the far minority - Although
> OpenSource is great, a person using Linux/Opensource must still understand
> that the large majority of the world does not.
I'm holding YOU to a higher standard. This is an extension of respect.
> I don't see how you can expect the world to change their procedures when
> writing e-mails, when the large majority of people do not have the
> linefeed-less reading disability you're mentioning.
For the 4th time, it's not a reading disability.
The majority of people using email are idiots.
Rise above the mediocrity if you want to be respected.
> And Opensource has just
> as many programs that support this as any other source. A similar situation
> is when mac users send mac formatted documents to our firm and expect our
> users to be able to open and use them. In my opinion, mac is great if you
> have the pockets for it, but mac users, like linux users to a lesser degree
> must understand that most users do not use the same formats, and should take
> it upon themselves to make up for the difference and understand that to be
> part of the current drawbacks of using a stable computer.
> * Any rule of eitiquette regarding linefeeds at the end of each line must
> be antiquated - We are way beyond the days of typewriters when you used the
> enter key at the end of each line. Keep up with the times.
This is not the law of the net. The law of the net is Postel's Law.
Look it up and you'll learn more than you would if I simply told you what it
is.
> True, most hackers would use linefeeds, but most of them developed their
> e-mail writing habits when this was a nesecity, and although there was a day
> when hackers held a large percentage of those using networks, those days are
> long gone. We constantly have to ask ourselves are our decisions made to make
> life easier for ourselves or for the users we are programming/working for?
I don't work for you. I don't have to tolerate your ignorance of netiquette.
When you get on the net, you're entering a long-established community with a
culture and rich traditions. You're expected to behave according to
established norms so as not to annoy us. Deliberate dismissal of this culture
as 'antiquated' can be construed as an act of agression. When in Rome....
> The same principle applies. This becomes even more clearer when you consider
> the fact that the very concept of e-mail is to be an electrinic form of the
> normal (snail) mail system which standards do not permit linefeeds/carraige
> returns at the end of each line, but only at the end of the paragraphs.
snail mail isn't digital, layout is physical, and requires no control codes
(other than normal English punctuation). This is obvious.
> * Having linefeeds about every 80 characters makes editing a real chore -
> Every time I go to add something in I have to change the linefeeds throught
> the entire document. This is a menial task which should be handled by the
> software.
If it isn't, then YOUR software sucks.
See if you can find a "rewrap" somewhere.
> * Get a new e-mail client - I dare say most of the e-mail software in use
> today handles this issue gracefully. I don't see how you can expect the world
> to spend their precious time insterting characters into their e-mails that
> the large majority of readers will never see, and which, those who do see it
> could remedy the problem by simply using a more sophisticated e-mail client
> or patch the one you're using.
I am using Thunderbird 1.0 and mutt4. These are both less than a year old.
The issue cannot be handled gracefully by an non-psychic program.
> Of course I realize that in this group I am probably in the minority and for
> that reason I aquiesce and inserted the linefeeds as you requested.
>
> Just my humble opinion. I'm expecting a smart response exposing my youthful
> ignorance once again, but I suppose that's how one learns.
That's the spirit.
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