X-Message-Number: 22102
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 13:46:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: 
Subject: missing messages

> Message #22097
> From: 
> Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 13:32:33 EDT
> Subject: Re: CryoNet #22084 - #22091

> Three messages on today's posting were blank as received by
> me, Hoffman, Swayze, and  Swb1948. Can somebody tell me
> what is wrong?

Graphically oriented email software offers the option of
sending plain text or text where the font, margins, color,
and other attributes are determined by hidden "HTML tags"
which function as embedded commands. Many people don't know
how to control this feature, or don't bother to find out. As
a default, often their messages are sent in BOTH formats. In
these cases you will see Kevin Brown's CryoNet filter display
the message, "Skipping HTML Encoding" after the plaintext
version of the message has been displayed.

However, in the hardcore cases of people who ONLY send
messages encoded in HTML, Kevin's filter rejects the whole
damned thing.

Why block HTML? Because it is unnecessary, raises the
possibility of formatting errors, increases message size, and
potentially any text which has commands embedded in it can be
a source of mischief.

The old farts among us believe that text should be text, a
pure and simple means of communication. HTML is a Swiss
abomination that defies standardization, lacks essential
features found in any real programming language, and is
precisely the kind of thing you would expect to find from a
government bureaucrat. I'm always very happy that Kevin's
filter blocks HTML (and also of course blocks JPEGs and other
forms of attachment). But then, this is what you would expect
me to think, since I am an old fart at this point myself.

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=22102