[Users] Wrapping

[mlist at riseup.net]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

On Sun, 9 Jun 2019 07:15:23 +0200 Ralf Mardorf wrote:

> You expect everybody to use resizeable windows, but
> not everybody does and those who do not necessarily
> share your workflow to resize windows to get proper
> wrapped lines.

Not my expectation but an actuality because in 2019
there are many different screen sizes and resolutions.
So when you pre-wrap the text at 72 cpl and then open
it in a mobile email the lines are not only nicely
formatted but are actually far less readable because
of the different line length.

> That is really bizarre, since 80 chars, or the way
> more common 72 chars are a sane value for text on a
> screen. You could read this even on an very, very
> ancient, very, very small CRT. The way you are
> resizing windows seems to be very uncommon. Usually
> a very small window on a modern screen is still wide
> enough to fit 80 chars.

It all comes down to what screen you are referring to.
Today most people (what is common) carry smartphones in
their pockets, not CRT screens and look at them in
portrait orientation. Considering that 80 chars would
require very small font - difficult to read. When we
used the old CRTs in 80 cpl text mode the font size
was big enough.

> Good formatted lines are easier to read.

Exactly. When they are pre-wrapped and the client
software tries to wrap them at smaller width they are
no longer nicely formatted => harder to read.  

> Is there any standard that expects that computer
> users share that kind of window managers and MUAs as
> you do and that they share the same workflow of
> resizing windows, too?

Not a standard but I searched and found various
studies. It seems most agree that the best readability
is 45-65 cpl, not 72 or 80. So I will wrap at 55 :)



On Sun, 9 Jun 2019 08:52:45 -0000 Paul wrote:

> 'look really bad' is purely subjective. For me, your
> unwrapped message is not as convenient to read as if
> it had been wrapped.

Perhaps you see too long lines in your window?

> Therefore, imo it is not about 'looking good' but
> only about readability.

Exactly. The same I said above.

> Even in 2001, when Claws Mail was first available,
> desktop 'screens we use today' were those used then.

In 2001 a 19" monitor was a luxury. Today one can buy
27" for 150 EUR. So a lot has changed for 18 years.

> (Excepting all those small screens people use now,
> tablets, smart phones, etc.)

which is not negligible but actually a majority.

> See the 'Line Length Limits' section of RFC 2822:
> https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2822#page-6

Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to know.


I guess sticking to a narrower wrapping is safe.
Sorry for the lengthy reply and thanks again!