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Microsoft Looks At Integrating Forums and E-mail
prostoalex writes "Scott Hanselman shares a document from Microsoft Research internal Web site on Gina Venolia's latest research in user interface design. Since half of the e-mail conversations require reply and then further replies, the model is not too different from current Web forums. Future Outlook versions might integrate the nested interface for e-mail conversations." Gotta say, that'd be pretty nice to have.
/. ran a story about this very thing from IBM's R&D who also came to the same conclusion.
;-)
Honestly, it's hard to believe that it took PHD "rocket scientists" to come to the conclusion that email is probably better interfaced as a forum. We've all known that for years. It's also hard to understand why there aren't "big name" email clients that already support that kind of interface.
Thinking of Microsoft's offering in this area, it would be nice if they automatically emailed the author of the worm that ravaged your system so you could conduct a forum-interfaced conversation with the person. Kinda like an auto-Friendster between worm-authors and worm-targets.
It's all about trusted computing, people.
IAALS.
Now we can spend minutes loading chain emails with 1mb activex controls, and several viruses all at once.
Microsoft: Where will u be able to go today?
Apple: Where will u go while we distract you with random graphics?
Linux: How will u go where you want today?
Wow, next thing you know, they'll be inventing the command line!
I mean, just imagine... You could control a computer just by typing in text, almost like language! None of those bizarre manhandling a carpal tunnel creating mouse all day to point at primitive representations on the screen!
Er, oh wait. They are.
Why is it that whenever Microsoft "invents" something that everyone else has had for decades, it's "big news" and "innovation" ?
Kudos to Microsoft for once again being on the cutting edge of copying 20-year old technology.
I hear next month they'll be introducing a text-only browser called MS-Hedgehog.
90% of my car trips involve buying something. Doesn't mean I want a cash-register in my car.
Bowie J. Poag
To give them credit though, their interface draws lines between the messages for the thread, which none of the primative web-cached listserves do. Obviously this advance in user-friendliness justifies the research dollars put into the effort.
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
Automatic "Standard reply" button included with the following options:
Hate me!
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0)
<html>
what is an useenet? could u pleaze email me your answer i dont read answers here
</html>
>It will be "innovation" if this new
>USENET, err I meant Mail Forums, will
>eliminate the top posting bastards that
>usually have an OUTLOOK mailer
>header...
Yeah, that's what we need, anonymous cowards moderating our own inbox ;)
No Comment.
From: bigberk (547360)
Sent: Monday December 22, @09:12AM
To: All
Subject: Re:Uhm...
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0)
<html>
what is an useenet? could u pleaze email me your answer i dont read answers here
</html>
>It will be "innovation" if this new
>USENET, err I meant Mail Forums, will
>eliminate the top posting bastards that
>usually have an OUTLOOK mailer
>header...
Dacels Jewelers can't be trusted.