Hi,

 Funny you should ask. I'm just in the middle of quantifying all the
reasons why one would prefer HTML. I'm working with designers as opposed
to engineer types on the layout template for the email we are going to be
sending. Here are some reasons for HTML.

1/ Some mail browsers including many (perhaps all) versions of Outlook
default to a variable width font. If you place columns of numbers/words in
a plain text email the columns will appear badly misaligned. You can
simply wrap the columns of information in HTML <PRE> tags and Outlook
switches to a fixed width font. Of course you could go and specify the
exact fixed width font but you'd got to know what you are doing and make
sure you pick fonts that are available on all OS platforms.

2/ You can play with fonts. This makes a simple text email much easier to
read. Headings can be bold and in larger font sizes. Colour can be used.

3/ You can include a few pictures. Not much more to say about that.

 ==============================================================================
| David Mayerlen
| Mayerlen Consulting Inc // The Canadian Speculator
| [log in to unmask]             www.specstock.com
| 905.833.7495
 ==============================================================================



On Tue, 28 Nov 2000, Russ Hunt wrote:

> I'm interested in why someone would prefer HTML if the information is
> actually all there in the ascii text?  Why not send plain text to
> both?
>
>                                   -- Russ
>
> > >   We've just started using Lsoft, in the Listplex version. I want
> > >   to use thsi list to send information in HTML to a group. But
> > >   sadly, not all recipients will be able to read html-information
> > >   and will want to  receive plan text mails. I think it's OK to
> > >   send two different mails to the different users, but how can I
> > >   make a distinction between these two usergroups, so I can send
> > >   my text-message to text-users and my HTML-message to the
> > >   HTML-users?
>
> > Just off the top of my head, have two separate lists. Use one list
> > for those who prefer the HTML content andd the ohter list for those
> > who prefer the standard text content.
>                                 __|~_
> Russell A. Hunt            __|~_)_ __)_|~_    Professor of English
> St. Thomas University      )_ __)_|_)__ __)  PHONE: (506) 452-0424
> Fredericton, New Brunswick   |  )____) |       FAX: (506) 450-9615
> E3B 5G3   CANADA          ___|____|____|____/    [log in to unmask]
>                           \                /
>       ~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.StThomasU.ca/~hunt/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
>