Explanation of list reference

[Chris Angelico]

On Sun, Feb 16, 2014 at 7:44 AM, Joshua Landau <joshua at landau.ws> wrote:
> On 15 February 2014 14:20, Ben Finney <ben+python at benfinney.id.au> wrote:
>> Joshua Landau <joshua at landau.ws> writes:
>>
>>> Here, I give you a pdf. Hopefully this isn't anti
>>> mailing-list-etiquette.
>>
>> This forum is read in many different contexts, and attachments aren't
>> appropriate. You should simply put the text directly into your message,
>> if it's short enough.
>>
>> If it's long, then put it online somewhere and send a link with a
>> description; or, better, make it shorter so it is reasonable to put the
>> text in a message :-)
>
> A PDF seemed like a better use of my time than ASCII art.
> Nevertheless, I agree that I can always give a link; I was just
> wondering if there was an environment under which this was actively
> harmful.

A PDF is fine. An attachment is problematic, and won't get to
everyone. Hence the suggestion to put it online somewhere and post a
link. (But be sure the host will be up for the next hundred years,
ish.)

ChrisA