> Alain: I prefer HTML, however, because plain-text > mail is rather limited and un-structured compared to > the multimedia and structuring possibilities of HTML, > with or without CGI programs. Uli: Now you're tempting me ... HTML is great for web pages, but if you receive it via e-mail, many people get gibberish, or have to fire up a separate program to view it. Alain: While it would be conceivable to use HTML in our E-mail (because we are a small group), I am sure that this idea will NOT fly. The reasons you gave above are some of the objections. Bandwidth is also a problem. Uli: Also, most stuff can be done as effective by just scattering a few tabs or spaces through text. Alain: Smileys are ok and I love expressing myself in writing, but one must nonetheless admit that text-based exchanges lack many of the communication cues that make multimedia and in-person meeting so much more rich. Humour or sarcasm, for example, are often misinterpreted when the medium of exchange is text-only. Alain: Bottom-line, for me, is that each means of communication has its advantages and its disadvantages. E-mail is great for loosely structured exchanges, on any topic, at any time, in any manner that suits the writer. HTML, on the other hand, is best for info presentation that summarizes our current status, activities, fruits of our labours, etc. (e.g. web site). Add forms and CGI programs to the HTML-mix and you have innumerable ways of sharing structured information. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com
