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Working with File Attachments
File Types:
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| Text: A text file, sometimes referred to as "ASCII" format, is limited to
basic keyboard characters and very simple formatting--no special characters, no fonts
styles or font sizes, no bold or underscored text, no graphics, and no special formatting.
Internet email can only transmit plain ASCII text. |
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| Binary files combine specific computer code along with the basic text which tells a
program to display the other features and functions mentioned above. Word processed
documents, spreadsheets, executable programs, and any file which contains any elements
beyond basic text are all binary format files. When you need to send a binary file
electronically, you "attach" it to an email message. |
Protocols:
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| a binary file attached to an email message is converted from binary format to ASCII-text
format by the sending email program; |
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| the receiving email program, reads then re-converts the attachment; |
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| the resulting file is then "detached" from the message and stored on the
receiving computer's hard drive; |
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| different attachment "protocols" of various email use different programs to
convert files to text; |
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| the most common protocols are: MIME, UUencoding, and BinHex; |
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| MIME is the most common and programs including Eudora Light, PegasusMail, AOL, Claris
Emailer, and PINE; |
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| some email programs, however, only support UUencoding, such as MSMail; |
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| the receiving email software must support the same attachment protocol as the sending
email software; |
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| conflicting protocol leads to unreadable text. |
Software Programs -- Sending:
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| files created in one program may not be viewable under another program; |
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| thus, a Word 7.0 document cannot automatically be read by a WordPerfect 5.0 software
program; |
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| most reputable software programs have a built in conversion in the "Save As"
function; |
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| convert your document to the proper protocol before you send it by choosing "Save
As" from the "FILE" menu and choosing a file format from a pop-up list of
format options. |
Software Programs -- Receiving:
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| not everything you receive can be viewed from within your email software; |
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| the purpose of email software is to view email messages, not spreadsheets nor word
processing files; |
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| email programs indicate, though in different ways, when an incoming message has a file
attached; |
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| the email software can be configured to store the incoming attachment in the directory
of your choice; |
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| if you do not configure your attachment directory, it usually will be stored in the
email program's directory; |
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| if you receive a message with a bunch of "garbage" characters, the wrong
protocol has been used and the document must be resent; |
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| if all else fails, ask the sender to "cut" and "paste" the message
into her email program; |
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| for this class, we will be using Word 7.0; |
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| if you are using a word processing program other than that, Microsoft has a program that
will allow your computer to read Word 7.0 documents; |
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| go to the Microsoft site to see if your computer is able to use the word processing aid. |
Email and Viruses:
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| due to the recent incidences of email viruses, you should use your virus scanner on any
mail that you receive from unknown sources; |
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| Mcafee Anti-Virus is a shareware program that will
help with this problem. |
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