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ARRAY Development





E-mail Layout and Text Editors


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


Some alterations on standard usages due to computers:
In general, avoid using any special characters unless you're describing a computer command or address. Here's a list of special characters to avoid:

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

     (any other character that is not on the keyboard)

The main idea of using these standards and proper e-mail usage is so that your e-mail will look professional. Often, companies who use direct e-mail marketing will never get to see or talk to most of their customers. Your customers can only judge you by what they see in your e-mail. If you type "Thanx, dude(ss)" folks will think you are young [inexperienced] or maybe that you're illiterate or inconsiderate.
I've been using e-mail since 1981. Having operated my own BBS [electronic bulletin board service] since 1981 using software I developed, used the Internet since 1990, and made many of the same mistakes everyone else does, I hope my ideas here will help you and others. Feel free to share this, and other articles, with others, but please give me credit.


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