Email style and format

12 December 2004 · 0 comments

Arguments rage about email: Plain text or HTML? Top posting, bottom posting or interspersed replies? I fall firmly into the plain text with interspersed replies camp. The only newsletter where I choose HTML format rather than plain text is the ever fabulous TidBITS newsletter which uses restraint to produce a format which really works. What’s [...]

Arguments rage about email: Plain text or HTML? Top posting, bottom posting or interspersed replies? I fall firmly into the plain text with interspersed replies camp. The only newsletter where I choose HTML format rather than plain text is the ever fabulous TidBITS newsletter which uses restraint to produce a format which really works.

What’s more, I’ve been using the TEN format for the CommunityNet Aotearoa Panui newsletter which I produce each month. The TEN standard is designed to ease navigation of plain text email newsletters by all readers, including people with visual impairments using special access technologies.

I’m a little disturbed therefore to read Email Access: From The Perspective Of An Individual With Visual Impairment written by Sachin Dev Pavithran, where he describes difficulties with both plain text and interspersed replies in email.

Email has become a common means of communication for everyone, including people with disabilities. Sachin Dev Pavithran shares his perspective on using email with assistive technology. In his article he discusses:

  • The advantages and disadvantages of HTML format
  • The advantages and disadvantages of plain text format
  • The obstacles he faces using email
  • Which is better: HTML or plain text?

[Via: WebAIM Newsletter December 2004.]

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