'Unnecessary' HTML (just P and DIV tags): 23
This is not necessarily a valid measure of utility. It is often
the case that HTML is displayed using fonts which are different from
those used to display "ASCII" messages. Given that those fonts are often
variable pitch and given that variable pitch fonts are known to be (for
most people) much more readable, one can argue that there is utility in
sending HTML formatted messages even if that HTML doesn't include
special rendering of text.
Most E-mail programs, if they have special font provisions at all, have the
ability for the users to set their fonts to whatever settings they choose
(size,
color, typeface, whatever). Again, the RECIPIENT should be able to set THEIR
choice (e.g. they might be colorblind, and the sender's choice of colors might
not be appropriate, etc etc.)
Likewise, a font which looks fine on the sender's machine might not even EXIST
on the recipient's machine.
If the recipient "feels there is value" in displaying incoming mail messages in
(say) 18 point script, then THEY should set their mailer to that and it
shouldn't be overriden by the sender.
The utility comes from sending the message in a format which is likely to be
easier to read as well as to be more readily understood by the reader.
I think you ought to let the READER be the judge of what the READER finds the
most readable... based on THEIR screen, THEIR vision, THEIR color preferences,
THEIR screen resolution, etc etc.
And if the reader chooses to give that permission to certain of their trusted
senders, they ought to be able to do that if they wish. But they shouldn't be
subjected to the whims and nonsense chosen by some random spammer somewhere.
(such as a spammer who decides there is "utility and value" in putting some of
their (perhaps legally required) message in 2-point white text on a white
background...)
Gordon Peterson http://personal.terabites.com/
1977-2002 Twenty-fifth anniversary year of Local Area Networking!
Support the Anti-SPAM Amendment! Join at http://www.cauce.org/
12/19/98: Partisan Republicans scornfully ignore the voters they "represent".
12/09/00: the date the Republican Party took down democracy in America.
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