On Tue, 2004-12-07 at 13:50 +0800, John Summerfield wrote: > Thank you Gene. > > I've never said more than "please post no HTML" and, when provoked then > provided some reasons. Then my post certainly wasn't directed at you. I think I made clear over and over that I was talking to the people on this list who take a "holier than thou," condescending or downright rude tone with newcomers. > I am offended at the rudeness of people such as Thomas. I am truly sorry if you are offended. > There are many factors > that go to _my_ choice of email client, and its ability to render HTML and > Javascript does not rank. I chose one to suit _my_ requirements. Great - I agree with your reasoning. I think that is the only way to choose any tool. BUT - if 92-93% of the list uses MUAs which handle HTML just fine, how is it reasonable that that 92-93% should change their ways to support the 7-8% of the list members who voluntarily choose to use an MUA which doesn't handle HTML? Don't get me wrong - I personally don't like HTML mail, and I prefer bottom posting. But I refuse to get all lathered up about it when some new user top/HTML posts. I might shoot them a gentle explanation of list etiquette. At worst I'll delete the message. But at no time will I be publicly derogatory towards him/her. That hurts the community. > I've been on RH lists off and on since Hurricane, and there are others I know > have been around a long time too: Robert Day, Joe Klemmer, Jo Dow. Mike > Harris used to be a regular too. That's great. I admire you and them for being here a long time. Longevity does not excuse being nasty. I've been on the Internet/Usenet since 1996. It doesn't make it OK for me to be condescending to newcomers. > We help because we like to, and we keep it up because we're stupid. Heh - I firmly believe the former and seriously doubt the latter. > Always, the use of HTML has ranked amongst the less desirable things people > do, that gets the most complaints: probably the silliest regular mistake is > emailing to the list in order to be removed. Yup. It gets frustrating, no doubt. All I am saying is, there is no reason to blast a newbie for making an innocent mistake. Me, I know I've stirred the pot, and I'll wade into the fray freely. But blasting a newcomer is just flat wrong, and it hurts the community as a whole. Thomas
