Comments for 6 October 1996

Mixed messages this month. To start it all off, consider this email. You know, I think he's trying to call me a loser ...

Date: Thursday, 16-Nov-95 02:55 PM
From: Gregory J. Paulhus
Subject: Coding is for losers

Well, I suppose you're not a total loser if you still code your HTML. I am
hoping you don't.

Get yourself Pagemill 2.0 or Claris Home Page, or FrontPage. Any one of these
programs will allow you to create a much cooler, more organized web site than
you currently have.

'Cuz buddy, your's ain't so hot. The writing is good. Needs better editing,
though. And if you'd like to spend less time on your web site with better
results, HTML programs are the way to go.

I recently created a 14 page web site complete with graphics, tables, image
maps, cool background tiles, etc.

I use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Pagemill 2.0.

Total Time Spent: Less than one hour.

I also publish a newspaper on the web, updated weekly. Including time for
uploading the new pages, it takes me less than 2 hours each week.

http://www.wbm.ca/users/npride

I haven't updated the look in a while but i could make it even cooler in no
time flat if I cared enough.

Want Frames? Click a button? Want an Image Map? One more button.

Look into it if you haven't already.

Sincerely, The Lizard King
lizard@thelizardking.com

I think this jabbering is a reponse to Why writing HTML sucks.

For someone so confident of their editing and publishing skills, Mr. Lizard King seems to have a reading problem, because I'm positive my answer to "why does writing HTML suck?" has nothing to do with "it takes all sorts of time".

<CHEAPSHOT>
And, unless I'm twilight zoning, Mr. King's keen eye for detail seems to have overlooked that his computer's clock is set to 1995. (Check the header.)
</CHEAPSHOT>

Not everyone agrees with L. King:

Date: Monday, 28-Oct-96 09:50 PM
From: Glenn Connery
Subject: Why HTML sucks...

Mr. Nelson,

Having only read the first article in your e-zine, I had to stop and drop you a
much-begged-for comment.  You see, it was my duty, my responsibility, and my
pleasure...

You have done well.  I am smiling from ear to ear, my friend.   Your thoughts
regarding web design and the stigma attached are honest and right on target;
I've wondered myself when I absently mentioned the subject in public.   And I
thought it was just me...

I read many e-zine, too many...  My life is computers --> my job, my hobbies,
my future.  And I wouldn't want any other way.  It was once a glorious kingdom
with freedom, emotion, and intelligence.  REAL INTELLIGENCE.  Now,
commercialism, customer and ignorance and all,  invade our little special land
and start to kill it.

I fell like the Indians looking at Columbus and his three massive ships...Kinda
got that sinking feeling in the pit of my  stomach...

Anyways, I read a lot of e-zine, send mail to some, and  contributed to a
handful.  I really enjoy your comments and articles,  and hope you endure the
hell of HTML a bit longer.  It would be a shame  to have no bastion out here..

Thank you.

                Glenn Connery
                RatChild

HTTP://home1.gte.net/ratchild/index.htm

Now, I've been told that I get some pretty weird email, but how about one from a bungee-jumping semi-introverted HTML-writing party-on-down librarian? Don't believe me? Read on ...

Date: Saturday, 16-Nov-96 12:45 PM
From: Patricia Livingston
Subject: can't remember the name of your article, sorry

So why can't a web-site creator be just that and a bungee-jumper?  

I'm about to try my hand and creativity at web-siting am even taking a
class next semester on it (in Library & Info Sci program at SJSU)] and
once, a few years ago, I jumped off a bridge.  Although, I don't know if
I could (would) do it again...

I do know what you mean about perceptions and pre-conceived notions
(same same).  Telling people, even my friends, that I'm studying to be a
librarian (albeit a corporate one to start off my career), I receive
some classic responses.  Sigh...  "No, no, I really don't wear a loud
girdle (or a quiet one), no I won't be shushing patrons, yes, I know I
used to throw big parties..."  But so what!  How else are we
semi-introverted peops to break those stereotypes?  they aren't called
stereotypes for nothing.

So, in all, I enjoyed your shpiel on web-site creating.  And yes, I'm
sitting at my desk on a Sat. afternoon, why?  well, I am actually about
to take the pooch for a run & then I'm off to the library...  HEck, it's
rainy out anyway.

Enough!  bye!

-Patty L.

No idea about this one:

Date: Tuesday, 05-Nov-96 04:26 PM
From: alcastro@inow.com
Subject: the love story

Great positive story, dont think people sharing feelings of love with one
another is insipid or dumb.  I sent a letter of congratulations and feel good
to have read his story.  

                                     Attaboy, or girl

... but I've plenty of reason to hide my head in a hole regarding this one:

Date: Friday, 15-Nov-96 01:51 AM
From: Alexandra

Subject: verbage

Is it verbage or verbiage?

Damn! Caught again!