A Not So Promising Outlook
To sum up all the wisdom inside Microsoft, they have announced that Outlook 2010 will use the Word HTML rendering engine. Essentially, throwing web standards under the bus, mocking accessibility, and making HTML email render worse than it did in 2000!
In some respects, the news is almost laughable. But once that giggle wares off, and reality sets in, you realize a large majority of users are going to be stuck with an email application that renders HTML worse than it did a decade ago. That’s right, Microsoft is moving backward in time when it comes to application development.
[F]or the next 5 years your email designs will need tables for layout, have no support for CSS like float and position, no background images and lots more. Want proof? Here’s the same email in Outlook 2000 & 2010.
Why would anyone use such a ridiculous email application, you ask?
To be frank, most working users don’t have a choice. But we all do have a place to speak out and let Microsoft hear our request to make a change!