don said:
>   I would like someone to try training someone
>   to use a subset of HTML markup, and use it properly,
>   and see how it works.

does the person know any .html to begin with?


>   Even with a subset, there are lots of ways
>   of applying that subset improperly, and
>   having the display view look just fine on a PC.

yes, that's a huge part of the problem with .html...

and it's worse if the person knew any .html before.


>   I suspect users will be unable to
>   avoid the temptation to tell themselves
>   that "if it looks right, it's right,",

interesting that you call that a "temptation"...


>   especially in cases where
>   the match between the markup
>   and the structure of the text
>   is unclear or complex.

i guess you're saying that in such cases,
it's not gonna be obvious "it looks right".

***

your problem, in _my_ opinion, is that
you are fighting against human nature,
instead of using it to your _advantage_.

my system adopts as a primary rule
that "if it _looks_ right, it _is_ right".

and, conversely, "if it doesn't look right,
you need to change your input so it will."

-bowerbird