E-mail Layout and Text Editors

By Rob Zee, IMAGE-LIST No. 16 Vol. 2
Email: editor@imageWorld.net
http://imageWorld.net
*******************

First, e-mail is sent using strictly text files. Sometimes it's referred to as ASCII [say it as "ask-key"] -- it stands for the Amercian Standard Character Information Interchange. It's used primarily on UNIX and DOS boxes -- mainframe and VMS machines use EBCDIC [say "ebb-see-dick"].

Text file lines are normally 255 characters or less in length and are physically terminated by the ASCII #10 and #13 (line feed and carriage return characters) at the end of each line [UNIX only uses ASCII #13 to terminate line].

The reason this is important to know is due to Windows, which often uses a "modified text" file. The characters are stored as text, but can be a very hugh line -- the editors [also word processors] automatically break up the line [wraps it] and the enter key in the file causes a "paragraph break."

In other words, when you send e-mail using most Windows based editors, "WYSAWG -- What You See AIN'T What You Get!" The lines will "wrap" in the editor but not in your e-mail. This paragraph will come out like this:
In other words, when you send e-mail using most Windows based editors, "WYSAWG -- What You See AIN'T What You Get!" The lines will "wrap" in the editor but not in your e-mail.

Some mail readers "might" fix the line, but many will show one long line. It looks dumb, it's very hard to read because folks have to scroll each line back and forth using their mouse, and laser printers won't print the entire line -- it gets truncated.

If you use a Windows based editor like Notepad and others, you must physically "hit the enter key" at the end of each line to "force" a line break. Also, it should be "saved as" a DOS type text file if you're not using Notepad.

Here's a few tips about how your message should look:

• make lines about 65 characters wide
• avoid "tabs" -- use spaces instead
• avoid columns and ASCII graphics -- may not look right if the recipient is using a "proportional font" reader
• to indicate special word(s) or spelling(s) use "quotes"
• to call attention to reqular word(s) use ALL CAPS
• use "quotes" and ALL CAPS sparingly -- over use will render them useless and make your message look gaudy
• if your message is over a few lines long, separate the ideas into paragraphs with a blank line -- easy to read

• the double dash "--" is used the same as before -- to indicate that you're providing a definition, however "nowadays" it's done with spaces surrounding them not like this--with no spaces but like this -- with spaces it's in common use due to how editors will wrap lines and because it's much easier to read on the screen.
• special characters can be left outside of quotes: not -> My address is "kww.com/dema/." use -> My address is "kww.com/dema/". so that people won't accidently include period when typing in your address on the computer
• to indicate a required tag that must be included use math-symbols < > such as:
• to indicate an optional tag that may be excluded use brackets [ ] such as: [web address]
  

        ~  tilde                \  back-slash
        @  commercial "at"      _  underscore
        ^  caret                |  bar or pipe
        *  asterisk             `  left quote

     (any other character that is not on the keyboard)