Turn Off HTML Encoding In Messages

[Al Powell]

I note that many posts are sent to the group in HTML format, which 
causes a ton of extra garbage (a complete copy of the message with 
HTML codes) to appear with the post.  In the hopes that some of my 
list-friends will be encouraged to TURN THE HTML OFF, I offer this 
post, which was sent to a friend recently.  It is intended to help 
find the commands in email programs which will turn off the HTML 
encoding.

I should note that sending HTML-encoded emails to friends is often 
not such a big deal, but sending anything but plain text to a 
listserv (like the A-list) is a breach of etiquette.  It does not 
make one popular.

Here's an attempt at giving some guidance to those who don't know how 
to set their email program to send messages in plain text......

The encoding command is usually under "Tools" and "Options" (in MS 
Outlook or Outlook Express).  After you get Options, open, look under 
the tabs with names like "Internet Email" or "Sending" or such. 
 Hopefully it will turn up.  There are variations depending on the 
version of the program you use.

If you're using Pegasus Mail or Netscape, the command is probably 
under "Edit" and "Preferences"...then look under "Mail & Newsgroups" 
and "Formatting" (those are specific to Netscape version 4.7). 
 Select "Use plain text editor..." and your problems are solved.

One of these two paths is common to most email programs.  Some use 
the Tools/Options approach and some use the Edit/Preferences 
approach.  From there in, there are differences in labeling depending 
on the program and the version.

Another possibility is to use the Help/Contents/Index menu in your 
email program and look for such terms as "plain text".  That might 
get you to the right place.  The goal is to disable HTML encoding and 
send emails in plain text.  While this is not such a problem sending 
emails to individuals, sending HTML to listservs is a no-no.

Good luck.

************************************
Al Powell
Fort Collins, CO
powellae at home.com
cougfan1 at gocougs.wsu.edu
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