Dave's Pet Hates

This page contains things that annoy me about the internet. Some may be really trivial but over time they've built up into big things.

HTML email

For various reasons HTML email really bugs me. It's a highly inefficient way of sending messages, given that the text-only equivalent is usually contained in the message as well. It's also a security hazard when used with some email-reading programs because they will run any scripts contained within the email. Also, if there are any embedded images in the code it'll record a hit on a web server somewhere that you've opened the email. As most of the HTML email I receive is from spammers, you can see that it confirms valid email addresses to them by a sneaky route. I bounce HTML-format email so if you try sending it you'll get it back.
As a sub-rant, it appears that AOL V6 doesn't have an option to turn off HTML in email. This is a severely brain-dead decision on the part of someone in AOL.

Spammers

I guess this one is on pretty much everyone's list. I do a nice line in bouncing junk email though, I reckon my automatic system takes out at least 95% and has a low false hit-rate (mostly from people using AOL 6).

Flash Intros

Why do people insist on putting Flash intros on their website home pages? It is most irritating and very often ends up being the only page I ever look at on their site, having gone elsewhere in disgust. This is probably not the effect a sales/marketing department wishes to achieve and they are probably blissfully unaware that their pimply-faced web designer is losing them customers due to his showing-off. Just because he knows how to do it doesn't make it a Good Idea.

Excessive Graphics

The same goes for excessive extraneous graphics on websites. Why should I wait ages for all the little graphics to load, especially if there's a competitor with a more streamlined website? At least image maps have fallen out of favour, I've come across websites in the past which had an image map for the front page and no other means of navigating further into the site. Not a lot of use when browsing with images off or for those with navigating with text-to-speech systems.

HTML Posting

As with HTML email, HTML news postings are a severe waste of space. The comments about security also apply. I killfile HTML posts from the local newsfeed although fortunately few people try to use HTML in the groups I frequent. Someone usually points out the mistake.