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TMC Survey: Do You Prefer Text or HTML for Online Newsletter Distribution?
A discussion on the Apple User Group Discussion about the future of the Apple User Group Bulletin's format sparked quite a few responses and thoughts. Thanks to Michael Horton of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group for the suggestion to make this our next TMC Survey Question.
This was our most answered question yet in the TMC Survey, obviously striking a nerve with user group officers everywhere. not only did we get more votes on the question, we received an unprecedented forty-two free-form comments.
The text format won out, but not without the proponents of each side stating their cases, some preferring the simplicity and security over text, while others choosing the eye-candy and click functionality of HTML. One thing was certain - the feelings run strong on this question.
| Do You Prefer Text or HTML for Online Newsletter Distribution |
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Response Percent
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Response Total
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Text
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50.8%
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85
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HTML
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41.5%
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70
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Doesn't Matter
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10.8%
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18
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Total Respondents:
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173
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- Need the info. I can follow a link to expand on it.
- I prefer pdfs in the original page layout. However, if there is no one who wants to take the time to do an actual newsletter layout, and what you send out is in plain text or html, then you are simply sending an email. It is not a newsletter!!
- PDF
- Many newletters from companies offer the text version sent to the email address. They put in a URL (usually at the beginning) for the HTML version for viewing, if that is the preferred version for that reader. Having a broadband connection, I USUALLY prefer the HTML. Just my 2 cents.
- My eMail application (Eudora) has trouble with some HTLM mails
- I like the format of a well crafted HTML newsletter like TAGTeams monthly news.
- Why not use the tools we have?
- Easier to read in a text based E-mail application. Faster D/L
- Text is faster to read and download and can more often be read offline than HTML-mails. If I want a web-page, give me a link :-)
- Note: The title of this Survey is "Your Preference: Text of HTML Email?" but the question is worded "What is your preferred format for an online newsletter?" To me "Email" and "online" are not interchangeable. have a good day.
- Simple to produce, no conflicts with mail readers
- I REALLY DON'T CARE, but good text e-mails with links to a website would get the same results if not better.
- convenience.
- most html mail seems to be spam
- While I don't feel strongly about it, I do like my email to be lean and clean. If you choose to do HTML I won't hate it, but overly formatted type requires more time and effort to cut and paste into other emails, publications, web sites etc. Thanks for asking.
- HTML gives a more professional, interesting appearance as long as it still contains the critical text information and doesn't become "just a pretty filler". Kathy Holton, Ambassador FinMUG
- I prefer the graphics look
- HTML messages tend to get caught in SPAM filters, are not allowed on our mailing lists, and can be used to "spoof" addresses (i.e., http://www.paypal.com is really http://www.key-paypal.com)
- Better everything! Graphics, etc.
- Can I answer on all three? Text: is fast and I don't have to worry about it's originator including code that will collect information (or would it?...hmmm) HTML: it's graphical, for a visual person, faster to read and understand with less time. Makes no difference: of course in a perfect world it wouldn't matter, like all else, its the user's perrogative! (from the vocal one in Ohio)
- I do like a well laid out page, but I think there are still too many computer users using dial up. Additionally the volunteers putting together the news letter should have something better to do with their time then to put together two different versions of a newsletter as requested on AUGD. So I vote for text.
- Spam blockers are getting more and more sensitive. Easier to send someone a non-html e-mail with a link to the Newsletter on the web site. Newsletter is constructed in GoLive CS.
- HTML /may/ be prettier, but plain text is much easier to work with when cutting and pasting into local MUG newsletters and e-mails. There are no formatting problems or other wierd happenings that HTML can introduce.
- I'm a busy guy and don't like waiting for HTML emails to open. I want news, not pictures.
- I would like to have a choice to which I could subscribe. If so, then I would pick text. It is faster, cleaner, and easier to repurpose. In email, I tend to gloss over the pictures and fancy stuff to get to the essence of the message, which may get missed if there is too much stuff in the message. If something must absolutely include pictures or whatever, then have a link to a beautiful page or pdf file. Then my email will not be cluttered and will download faster. It would also seem that text is less work to produce, and thus the messge may be more timely when it is sent.
- 1. HTML can get screwed up and create all kinds of problems in your mailbox if the code isn't exactly correct. (Especially if you delete mail manually, like I sometimes do.) (I use Eurdora)
2. I can always click a link to see graphics if I really need to see them. (Contrary to what some folks said in the list, I DO appreciate notices and newsletters without pictures forced upon me. Just sent me URLs!
3. I can read text much faster, plus scan for important points. Pictures waste my time in email.
4. Pictures are automatically stored on the HD and sometimes tossing the mail doesn't toss the associated graphics. PIA!
5. I get about 200 pieces of mail a day; I don't want to deal with colors and graphics and artsy garbage. I HATE HTML mail. :-)
- I like the pictures, I think a well crafted document like the TAGTeam bulletin is nice to look at. If people don't have time to read them, or have a dialup modem, there's always the delete button, or an alternative text version. Plus, perhaps vendors would be willing to pay to have their products displayed, or at least offer the occassional raffle item.
- Much easier to either copy and paste or forward as plain text. Some email programs will not forward complex HTML. Only way to get it out is to forward the entire email as an attachment. BUMMER!
- Because I subscribe for the news contained in the bulletin and text is just fine for that... That said, offering a choice would be nice so that those who prefer HTML can go that route too.
- Make both available. Do it by subscribing to text or html. I'd rather have it as a pdf that I get from their site with a link to find it.
- I prefer the visual aspects of HTML
- More visually appealing! Contains all that I need to see without having to click links to go elsewhere. Done right, use of color, fonts and images can make something much more readable than just plain text.
- These days, now I'm using Mail (rather than Eudora) reading HTML is feasible, but I set prefer text Text only makes it easier to copy and paste info for use elsewhere and 99% of the time text is easier to read. Most HTML based newsletters are over junked with images and fomatting that isn't needed and often distracts from the real message
- Some members still on dial-up. Text is more easily manipulated and re-purposed. Styles easily applied for web page versions or PDF creation. Jeff Lynch. New Hampshire Seacoast Mac User Group (www.seacoastmac.org).
- Photos and illustrations make it happen. Without them, I am reminded of the fable of the elephant and the five blind men. Of course, far too many people object to anything but text, so our newsletter is just boring text!
- More eye-catching interest. :-) Em
- We have to edit the AUGD Bulletin before we can forward it out to our club members, and I think this is most easily done when the original is in text format.
- easier to copy and paste content for our group's newsletter and listserv
- HTML can make a borning looking e-mail more appealing. But I believe that both Text and HTML have to be offered.
- Why have computers that process images if we do not make the use of them! Might as well go back to typewriters...
- If you are referring to an online/web based newsletter of course I would prefer HTML, but, if you are referring to a newsletter that I get in email, I prefer text. I prefer that as I find it easier to read, easier to move the information around (cut & paste, etc) and to forward.
- A carefully coded HTML email is a much better way to deliver a message to the audience. Contrary to the popular misconception, HTML can be made small, readable and accessible for anyone. Why not use it?
Back to Main Survey Page
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