The arguments you cited work against ALL MIME encodings, not just HTML. Thus, if you use those arguments against HTML, you must also discard attachments of all sorts, since they use MIME. I really don’t think you want to cripple email like that.

Arguments based on size and bandwidth may have held some water a few years ago, but space and bandwidth are now pretty cheap. Your argument that HTML is objectively incorrect because you don’t like it is silly. Also, you never answered my points about the increased aesthetic and structural control that HTML provides.

Hey, if you want to continue disliking HTML email, that’s fine with me, and I won’t try to talk you out of it. If you want to claim that it’s objectively wrong, though, you’ll have to make a real case for it.

I understand that I’m not a typical e-mail user, but just because lots of people use HTML doesn’t make it correct. I don’t know of a single e-mail client that doesn’t handle plain text, and a quick explanation on how to attach files doesn’t seem too hard for non-technical users.

Plus, users with size limits on their inboxes would benefit from smaller sized e-mails.

I think the point you’re missing is that you and I are not the primary users of email. The average email user uses either a web-based email system or Outlook, both of which interpret HTML automatically. They want to be able to send URLs and images to their friends. They want to personalize their correspondence. HTML email makes it possible for them to do so easily. It also happens to be abused by spammers, but if we cut off every form of media that was abused by advertisers, we wouldn’t have much left, would we?

Also, the nutcase was not only arguing against HTML, he was arguing against all MIME encodings in email. I’m not quite sure how that fits with his desire to have all of the internet accessible through email, but that’s what he says. No attachments, no PGP encryption, etc. No thanks, I like evolution and progress in my computer systems.

If you look at this guy’s main page on his domain, he is (or was) advocating full use of the internet through email. He includes gopher-by-email, and no one has used gopher for years. Thank goodness he’s seen the light and is no longer pursuing his email-only campaign. He is, instead, cycling and enjoying being retired. I am envious.

When email was first used, HTML didn’t even exist. I don’t know of any official declaration that all email clients have to be able to support HTML. I actually don’t mind it too much, but I prefer that people do it for a reason rather than sending all their emails in HTML that are nothing but plain text wrapped in HTML tags.