Problems with attachments
David Bridge (David@simsc.si.edu)
Sun, 29 Nov 98 21:11:10
Don Burggraf wrote:
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> Recently a number of messages have come through MDOsprey with no
> message, but only a downloaded attachment. For some reason, my email
> server will not handle downloaded attachments from MDOsprey. I don't
> know the reason why people are downloading attachments, because I cannot
> read the message. But, if it would be possible just to copy the
> information and paste it into the original message, it would help folks
> like me. Any others having problems with this? Thanks.
>
> Don Burggraf
> Baltimore
> dburggraf@hotmail.com
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
============================================================================
Some observations on this issue.
1. Your email systems (server) must be able of supporting MIME attachments.
2. Your local PC software must also support attachments, some do and some do
not. Even if your local software supports attachment, it may need to be
configured. I know for example that the "hotmail" can support at least some
types of attachments.
3. Attachments can be used to send plain text, which as Don suggests,
why not just cut and past the text and put it in the body of the message.
4. Attachments can also be used to send word processing files, spreadsheets,
etc. This works will with two people (or a small work group) who have agreed
on a standard exchange format. I think it is very rude to send a word
pressing document (say Word) to a list like MDOsprey, because you are
assuming that ALL recipients can process attachments and that they are using
Word or a compatible word processing systems.
5. So, in general we need to use the least common denominator, the "system"
that can be read by all email systems and all people -- plain text.
Yours, David Bridge
David@simsc.si.edu