Definitely note that point he made about it being his experience with the software industry. Other areas you often have no f-ing clue what format is expected. Sometimes application processes are bizarrely complex. Cornell, for example, lets you apply to multiple positions, and lets you update your resume and cover letter, but doesn't tell you what exactly gets sent to the relevant parties. That is, it's not exactly clear whether you're allowed one authoritative version, or if your current 'live' resume gets forwarded to the reviewers when you click submit.

At least, that's what it was like a year ago.

A lot of places just say "email a resume" and don't specify whether they mean send an "email resume" or an "email with a word doc attached" or an "email with a text resume attached" or "html-email" or "email with html attachment" or "pdf." You just have to guess. I typically would send a rich text, informal email cover letter with a few lines, then I'd attach the resume as html and word doc.