I have reported this designed-in "feature" as bug:
http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=71130
I criticise the fixed placement of the box on the screen, taking up
valuable screen space, and list a number of problems this box creates
when printing.
Please vote for it if you agree, or add comments if you don't.
Another bug relating to usability of mail/news is the one regarding
double clicking taking the old window to the new window's destination as
well. I just voted for it:
http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=35389
- Robin
When reading mail or news, the bottom window has a fixed width shaded
section for Subject:, From:, Date:, To:, CC: etc. This does not scroll
as the message text scrolls, so it reduces the ability of the user to
read the message, and therefore engourages them to maximise the lower
window at the expense of the upper.
I see no reason for this box-like header at all - scrollable or
otherwise. I am perfectly happy with the way N4.x displays and prints
the headers.
A related issue is that this box-like thing is printed. This involves
shaded backgrounds, which means:
1 - The text harder to read.
2 - Toner or ink is wasted.
3 - On an ink-jet, printing takes longer - because the head has
to traverse the wider box.
4 - On an ink-jet, this area of the page becomes a bit soggy.
5 - On all printers, this area becomes harder to annotate with
a pen or pencil.
I understand the desire to distinguish the headers from the body of the
message, but the lack of scrolling means less screen space and so a
severe impediment to usage. On the printed page, I think it achieves
nothing and has quite a number of drawbacks.
