4 ms·

Luckily there is a solution to this compatibility mess. https://useplaintext.email/ https://useplaintext.email/

helmholtz 4y ago
No. What if I need to share tabular data? An annotated image with discussion straight after it? Equations? People will have you make everything an attachment but that is much worse in terms of context switching. Absorbing new information is easier when the image is inline with text. Especially after it's been forwarded three times. We NEED formatted email, whether in the guise of a word document or HTML.
- Jiocus 4y ago
  Tabular data isn't hard, | Type | Host/Name | Value/Points to | | ----- | ------------- | ------------------------------- | | CNAME | s1._domainkey | s1._domainkey.example.com | | CNAME | s2._domainkey | s2._domainkey.example.com | | TXT | _dmarc | v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; adkim=s | Even .csv formatted stuff fares OK in plaintext. But I agree with you on context and having data visible right there in the email. It's often the case that people forgo using email as the functional communication technology it is and settles with attachments only and the canned byline. I want to see full markdown, mermaid and the like in email.
  - notRobot 4y ago
    1. Tabular data in ASCII like that is really bad for accessibility 2. It looks terrible on mobile: https://i.imgur.io/ovzaJDG_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium https://i.imgur.io/ovzaJDG_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&f...
    - Jiocus 4y ago
      You both have a point, but this formatting issue is because HN doesn't use `overflow: scroll` for pre/code snippets. Edit: Realized arguing for CSS properties defeats my point on plaintext. You are right, plaintext is problematic.
  - Dudeman112 4y ago
    I'm on mobile. The tabular data did not work, obviously Ironic
  - eviks 4y ago
    Except it is hard, even your simplistic example fails - I can't read it on one of the most popular devices - mobile phones Also, it's awful for any serious editing Also, add a bit of *formatting* in the cells, and all your plain readability stemming from tabular alignment is gone
- zx8080 4y ago
  > NEED formatted email Probably, NO. For business things to share some table data use ascii preformatted tables. They look nice and clean! Reference an image attached like [1] or [image-name.jpg] (see attached). Or just attach pdf if needs to pass slides. What we don't need is a formatted marketing crap!
  - notRobot 4y ago
    ASCII tables are really bad for accessibility, screen readers aren't able to read them well at all.
- denton-scratch 4y ago
  > We NEED formatted email Don't agree. Some people WANT formatted email (marketers). If you want tight control of layout, send me a PDF - that's what it's for.
silverwind 4y ago
No image support is a show stopper.
- slondr 4y ago
  I’d say it’s a killer app actually. Of course plaintext email does support images, it’s called MIME.
eviks 4y ago
There is a solution, but plain ugly text is not it, this is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

No. What if I need to share tabular data? An annotated image with discussion straight after it? Equations? People will have you make everything an attachment but that is much worse in terms of context switching. Absorbing new information is easier when the image is inline with text. Especially after it's been forwarded three times. We NEED formatted email, whether in the guise of a word document or HTML.

Jiocus 4y ago
Tabular data isn't hard, | Type | Host/Name | Value/Points to | | ----- | ------------- | ------------------------------- | | CNAME | s1._domainkey | s1._domainkey.example.com | | CNAME | s2._domainkey | s2._domainkey.example.com | | TXT | _dmarc | v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; adkim=s | Even .csv formatted stuff fares OK in plaintext. But I agree with you on context and having data visible right there in the email. It's often the case that people forgo using email as the functional communication technology it is and settles with attachments only and the canned byline. I want to see full markdown, mermaid and the like in email.
- notRobot 4y ago
  1. Tabular data in ASCII like that is really bad for accessibility 2. It looks terrible on mobile: https://i.imgur.io/ovzaJDG_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium https://i.imgur.io/ovzaJDG_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&f...
  - Jiocus 4y ago
    You both have a point, but this formatting issue is because HN doesn't use `overflow: scroll` for pre/code snippets. Edit: Realized arguing for CSS properties defeats my point on plaintext. You are right, plaintext is problematic.
- Dudeman112 4y ago
  I'm on mobile. The tabular data did not work, obviously Ironic
- eviks 4y ago
  Except it is hard, even your simplistic example fails - I can't read it on one of the most popular devices - mobile phones Also, it's awful for any serious editing Also, add a bit of *formatting* in the cells, and all your plain readability stemming from tabular alignment is gone
zx8080 4y ago
> NEED formatted email Probably, NO. For business things to share some table data use ascii preformatted tables. They look nice and clean! Reference an image attached like [1] or [image-name.jpg] (see attached). Or just attach pdf if needs to pass slides. What we don't need is a formatted marketing crap!
- notRobot 4y ago
  ASCII tables are really bad for accessibility, screen readers aren't able to read them well at all.
denton-scratch 4y ago
> We NEED formatted email Don't agree. Some people WANT formatted email (marketers). If you want tight control of layout, send me a PDF - that's what it's for.

silverwind 4y ago

No image support is a show stopper.

slondr 4y ago
I’d say it’s a killer app actually. Of course plaintext email does support images, it’s called MIME.

eviks 4y ago

There is a solution, but plain ugly text is not it, this is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.