Attachments, anyone?

[Richard J Senghas]

Hello LINGANTHers,

Long ago, when this list was first formed, many of us worked on  
computers with very limited disc space, limited display capabilities,  
and in places where slow modem dial-up connections were the norm  
(remember those big and clunky 300 & 1200 baud modems?).  We chose  
back then to avoid permitting attachments on LINGANTH postings  
because they were often catastrophic cloggers when downloading  
incoming e-mail.  When HTML came along (the ability for various fonts  
and formatting), the extra load from the HTML code was also a problem  
for many subscribers, so we did not allow HTML in postings to the  
list, either.  Later, the risk from viruses spread via attachments  
(especially via macros embedded in Word & Excel files) encouraged us  
to maintain the policy of no attachment files.

Is it time to lift those restrictions?  Are there subscribers who  
would prefer to maintain the policy of no attachments, and no HTML  
postings?  Is there much interest in allowing the use of same?  Would  
such capacities allow for useful exchange of materials?  Or are we  
happy with things as they are, with sending of such files limited to  
private communications between subscribers off-list?

If a consensus emerges, I'm willing to follow it.  If there's no  
consensus, I'll do my best to make an informed decision based on  
whatever issues are raised in any ensuing discussion.

  Best regards to all,

-Richard

======================================================================
Richard J. Senghas, Professor            | Sonoma State University
Anthropology/Linguistics                 | 1801 East Cotati Avenue
Coordinator, Linguistics Program         | Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609
Richard.Senghas[at]sonoma.edu            | 707-664-3920 (fax)