My guess is that a large part of Lilypond mailing list messages deals
with issues related to graphic output (lilypond is a sort of
typesetting system, isn't it?)
If this is correct I think emails would take advantage of inline
images because these elements can make more clear messages.
Attaching images at the end of messages is less effective for the
person that writes the msg. and for the person that reads the message.
When I attach an image to a message, then I need to refer the image
using the file name; when you have multiple attachment this is not
easy and error prone. On the other side, the reader of the message
has to open each image and be sure to watch the correct one while read
the text.
Using inline images you see the image exactly where you discuss it,
you don't need to refer it by a file name. If you check the following
link you will see an example of what I'm saying (I didn't know yet it
was a bad practice!):
http://lilypond.1069038.n5.nabble.com/music-patterns-and-octave-td188281.html#a188313
The same thing is valid for the inline code vs attaching source code.
Text formatting probably it is a bit less important. I use it with
parsimony but it give me the possibility to better highlight the
important part of the message etc. etc. When I cannot use it I use
ascii symbol (_ * etc).
Obviously this is what I personally consider improving the quality of
the message for the specific case of the Lilypond ML. In other context
the needs are different and I could prefer more primitive instruments.
So, *if* available technology gives us the possibility to use inline
images etc. I would definitely go for it.
* * *
David Linn has written:
[...]
> 3) My personal choice of MUA is Heirloom mailx (formerly nail), an enhanced
> version of the Berkeley mail(1) program. That said, the list manangement
> mail for the Lilypond lists goes to Gmail, precisely so that I am able to
> deal with the ... variety of formats people send to the Lilypond lists.
uhmm..... what David Linn does with the ML looks very reasonable to
me. It is easy to do and it give him the possibility to handles all
the formats variety.
* * *
Even if I believe the previous mentioned things will improve the
quality of the conversations, I'm very happy of the ml like it is now.
There are a lot of real experts helping people to solve issues and
explaining things. The fact that they, the experts, use primitive
email instruments and force me to do the same is the lesser evil
:))))))))))
g.