Re: Can MAIL using Mac OS 10.4 tiger be used to view newsgroups such as this one?

In article
<doraymeRidThis-56E3FB.12272809012008@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
dorayme <doraymeRidThis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

In article
<wyvern-05CF43.18264808012008@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Madwen <wyvern@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
[...]
But I agree, given that there is email software that functions (albeit
poorly) as a newsreader, it is not so odd for someone to ask that
question. Personally, I consider that a software design fault that not
only confuses some consumers but takes up more space and power for
activities not always done at the same time.

I think people tend to comprehend major discrete functions better when
the applications are not lumped together with some arcane name (Outlook
for example.... who in the heck would think "email", or even Usenet,
upon hearing the word "outlook"?). Putting an email client together
with a Usenet client makes as much sense as a combo salt & pepper
shaker... to me anyway. It seems to me that "Mail", as in Apple's Mail,
pretty well describes the function of the software.

Yes, but by your own argument, people might have lost confidence
in the meaning of the name of a product.

I was not really arguing that. Your interpretation goes a bit farther
than what I said. And what I meant is that the names of some
applications are not suggestive of their use... where the name seems
arcane, like TIN for instance or X11. I don't necessarily think that is
always a bad thing per se. It's merely a fact.

...It is a double-edged sword. Mail.app might be as misleading as
"Outlook Express".

Not from my perspective except that, as someone else pointed out, Apple
recently included RSS in Mail. I do find that a bit odd but perhaps
some people see a reason that eludes me. The word "Mail" certainly does
succinctly describe the core function of the application. Outlook
Express just does not suggest a mail application to me.

...It seems to me to be quite sensible to have email
and newsgroup exchanges under the same program if it could be done
well because of the many analogies involved (reading something
someone has sent for you and others to read, replying to what someone
has said).

I guess I just don't see those many analogies, as you put it, and you
haven't named them except in the broadest, least discretely meaningful
sense. IOW, you could also say that they are both done on a computer by
humans and involves communication. But so many other behaviors would
fall into the same category. Perhaps you could be more specific and
less broad.

For me, the functions are more different than the same once you exclude
ubiquitous functions like writing and reading. With email, you are
targeting only one or a few people with mainly personal and business
correspondence. It's the virtual form of letter writing, mostly between
individuals you know personally or organizations with whom you do
business.

The purpose of Usenet is virtual forum, for one thing, where people
participate in groups on very discrete topics. Rarely are you reading
something addressed specifically to you personally. Anyone and everyone
can participate.



Perhaps MS managers were thinking of some Wild West coach service
called "Outlook Express", who knows?
.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Technical question
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