[epub] HTML vs. Text

[Molly Cummins Daley <mollyd@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've been reading all of the discussion regarding HTML vs. text with great
interest.  We are about to publish an email newsletter and plan to ask
subscribers their preference on the sign up form.  Does anyone have any
information on whether consumers know the difference between HTML or text?
Does/has anyone ever offered an explanation of the difference? 

I was also curious if anyone is using sniffer (?) technology to determine
whether the end user can accept html?  I was told that the only way sniffer
technology can be used is if you require a double opt in - or in someway
receive a response from the user's email client so that you can then use
their response to sniff out their email client to know if it receives html -
can anyone confirm this or offer another solution?    My concern is not
about the format - I leave that to the consumer - but to the list management
I would rather not maintain 2 lists for every product (one html, one text)
if I don't have to. 

Thanks to everyone in advance for you advice.

Molly


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