Subject: Re: Pine info you requested (last changed Sep 12 1995) (fwd)

From: /Lim Eong Chin <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 11:07:27 -0800 (GMT)

Hi! I received a mail on pine a week ago and I got to compile a
few questions. 

	About this Email, I was quite surprise to find out that the letter
I wrote to my friend can't be justified at the both side. Meaning, the
left and the right column is in the same margin throughout the document.
Is it that I don't know how to do it or is it that this program can't do
it? 

	Second, I feel like this program only allows me to send a 'dead'
letter. I can't find any way to make my letter/mail more lifely. That is,
I can't "underline, bold or italic" some of the letters I want to. Some of
the words cannot be missed, you know. 

	As a whole, can you guys make this program something like 
Microsoft Words or at least like Wordstar?

	Lastly, you don't mind letting me know how Email really works
right? I really need to how you people deal with this program. I got to
register for free here. Not just that, I can also sent a mail for free. 
Do you people get anything for creating and managing this 'thing'. 
Someone got to pay right? Like telephone bills.

	Well, this is about all that I want to say/write. Is there any
word or sentence a wrote that hurt you guys? If there is please forgive me
as I don't know the better way of giving away my thoughts. 

	Please reply. I really need to know the answers as soon as
possible. 

	Bye. Thanks a lot for your time.

Yours Sincerely
eongchin

---

From: Edward M Greshko <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 11:46:39 +0800 (GMT)

> 	Hi! I received a mail on pine a week ago and I got to compile a

Well, pine is a "User Agent".  It is not an email system onto itself.

> Is it that I don't know how to do it or is it that this program can't do

pine's  builtin editor is not designed to perform this function.  Part of
the reason for this is that it is a "simple" text editor which does not
take into account the fonts which you may be using nor does it carry
or include that type of information since that is the only way you can
ensure the receiver will see the same thing you type.

> the words cannot be missed, you know. 

This is sort of related to your first question.  To create a more lively
email you must compose it in a format that you know the receiving side
can render properly.  You could use control characters to cause the
colors to change or blink...but that doesn't work for every receiver and
indeed it can turn the screen to junk in some cases.  You could compose
your email in MS-Word or a similar word processor and send the file as
an attachment...but you must know that the receiver can handle it.  The
same is true if you compose in HTML.

> Microsoft Words or at least like Wordstar?

Generally *not* a good ideas for the reasons cited above and the fact
that not everyone uses pine.
 
> Someone got to pay right? Like telephone bills.

If you want to know how email works you should take a trip to your local
bookstore.  The pine development team works for the University of
Washington and we are all fortunate that the U allows everyone to use
pine at no cost.

> as I don't know the better way of giving away my thoughts. 

This is a public mailing list or newsgroup.  Thousands of people all over
the world read this.  So, your audience is much broader than you expected.
 
Regards,

Ed

-- 
Edward M. Greshko                  Technical Manager, Electronic Commerce
                                   Control Data Asia/Pacific Region
Voice: +886-2-715-2222 x287        6/F, 131 Nanking East Road, Section 3
FAX  : +886-2-712-9197             Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C

---

From: "Robin S. Socha" <[email-masked]>
Date: 27 Jul 1997 18:54:50 +0200

>> "EMG" == Edward M Greshko <[email-masked]> writes:

EMG> On Fri, 25 Jul 1997, /Lim Eong Chin wrote:
>> Hi! I received a mail on pine a week ago and I got to compile a few
>> questions.

EMG> Well, pine is a "User Agent".  It is not an email system onto
EMG> itself.

[justifying mail]

EMG> pine's builtin editor is not designed to perform this function.
EMG> Part of the reason for this is that
[snipped strange stuff ;->]

... mail is ascii and therefore monospaced. Duh. [:]

[KeWLifYinG mail]
[snipped totally misleading stuff >;->]

>From the netiquette:

-    Capitalize words only to highlight an important point or to distinguish
     a title or heading. *Asterisks* surrounding a word also can be used to
     make a stronger point. Capitalizing whole words that are not titles is
     generally termed as SHOUTING! [1]
                                       
-    Limit line length and avoid control characters.

>> As a whole, can you guys make this program something like Microsoft
>> Words or at least like Wordstar?

Free Software: Contribute nothing, expect nothing

EMG> Generally *not* a good ideas for the reasons cited above and the
EMG> fact that not everyone uses pine.

Hey, Ed, could it be the weather is becoming too mild where you're at
right now? The correct answer would have included stuff like fubir lbhe 
urnq hc n qrnq cvt or something.

[snip]

What a totally depressing mail... 

Later,
Robin

Footnotes: 
[1]  You can use /this/ to italicise and _this_ to underline. Certain
MUAs can digest this and display the according font. Yes, Gnus can do
it. Hehehe...

-- 
Robin S. Socha, M.A.
Political Science Dept., Bonn University, Bonn
On the package it said: "Requires MS Windows 3.11 or better"  
                                  ... so I got myself Linux.

---

From: Edward M Greshko <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 01:19:25 +0800 (GMT)

> urnq hc n qrnq cvt or something.

I'm currently in the USA on a business trip.  Minneapolis to be specific.
Although some folks call it Minnehopeless.  :-)

It is quite hot and humid here these days.  However, I'm breathing clean
air, enjoying wide open spaces, driving a car, and inviting myself to a
Bar-B-Que or two.  So, that somewhat explains my "charitable" nature these
days.  :-) :-)

Regards,

Ed