There is less need for plain text now than in 1994 when it became, for me,
the prescribed method.  Many programs could not differentiate and if HTML
were sent, all the commands came with it.  Since HTML is the preference for
advertisers since it permits graphics, it has grown in desirability and the
double mailing of the same message in both formats permits Listserv to strip
the HTML and send just the plain text.  I have not known of a recipient
having the ability to accept just HTML, but then my main list runs on
version 1(d).  The worst problem I see with HTML is that digests often do
not recognize it and those messages that are sent in HTML only, often still
get all the commands printed and not hidden. 

Perhaps you should find out if your digest will convert HTML to plain text
or, in the alternative, will show all of the HTML commands.  It is for this
reason, I still prefer plain text.

Barbara Passmore

-----Original Message-----
From: LISTSERV list owners' forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2005 8:19 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [LSTOWN-L] HTML or Plain Text messages

"LISTSERV list owners' forum" <[log in to unmask]> wrote on 
07/07/2005 06:33:55 AM:

> >>I am trying to determine what is the best format to send list
> >>announcements in, should they be sent in HTML or plain text?
> >
> > The best option is to send in HTML and ensure that a plain-text 
> > version is
> > also available in the same e-mail.
> 
> I'm just curious, what is "best" about HTML? I see no use for it in 
> email, and Michael, your email didn't provide any reason for using it.
 
It's prettier.

That's it.  Simple appearance.  But in this day and age, snazzy appearance 
seems to be mandatory.  Content comes second.  I personally hate getting 
newsletters as HTML and one very large computer publication (they publish 
many different technology magazines and have two words in their name) 
switched me to HTML formatted newsletters and I could never get it 
switched back. After several notes back and forth with the online editor 
they gave up, so I unsubscribed from all their electronic and paper 
publications.

The same info is available elsewhere.