Plain text e-mail - Thunderbird: Difference between revisions

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(first pass at simplfying article and removing 7-bit ascii definition of plain text)
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==Displaying messages==
==Displaying messages==
''View -> Message Body As'' defaults to ''Original HTML''. This will display a HTML or a plain text message as is. If you set it to ''Plain Text'' it will display a plain text message as is, and transparently convert a HTML message to a plain text message. This doesn't just interpret it as plain text, it temporarily gets rid of all of the HTML tags in the message source so that you don't see what looks like code. The third option ''Simple HTML'' isn't used as much. Its similar to the ''Original HTML'' setting but will only interpret basic HTML commands, disables Javascript, and doesn't display remote images.  
''View -> Message Body As'' defaults to ''Original HTML''. This will display a HTML or a plain text message as is. If you set it to ''Plain Text'' it will display a plain text message as is, and transparently convert a HTML message to a plain text message. This doesn't just interpret it as plain text, it temporarily gets rid of all of the HTML tags so that you don't see what looks like code. The third option ''Simple HTML'' isn't used as much. Its similar to the ''Original HTML'' setting but will only interpret basic HTML commands, disables Javascript, and doesn't display remote images.  


Its recommended that you uncheck ''View -> Display Attachments Inline''. Checking it lets you view embedded images inline, rather than as attachments. However, its a security risk since you've lost the ability to avoid opening a malicious attachment.
Its recommended that you don't check ''View -> Display Attachments Inline''. Checking it lets you view embedded images inline, rather than as attachments. However, its a security risk since you've lost the ability to avoid opening a malicious attachment.


Thunderbird defaults to using a quote bar (a blue bar on the left) rather than a '>' for quoted text. This uses a standard called [http://www.joeclark.org/ffaq.html format=flowed'].  
Thunderbird defaults to using a quote bar (a blue bar on the left) rather than a '>' for quoted text. This uses a standard called [http://www.joeclark.org/ffaq.html format=flowed].


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 14:50, 14 March 2008

You can create messages using either plain text or HTML. At one time plain text messages were limited to 7-bit ASCII messages with plain text attachments but nowadays almost all email clients support MIME (for interoperability with Microsoft email clients etc.) so you can use other character sets, binary attachments and multi-part message bodies. HTML adds the ability to use additional formatting such as bold, italics, different fonts, tables and embedded images.

In most cases its just a question of personal preference which format you use. However, some people strongly prefer to receive plain text messages. If you are uncertain whether a HTML message would be acceptable send a plain text message.

One problem is that Thunderbird's behavior when replying to a message depends upon what version you use. For example, when you reply to a message it may switch to whatever format is specified by "prefers to receive messages formatted as" in the recipients entry in address book unless you set some other preferences.

Send plain text messages

  • Uncheck Tools -> Account Settings -> Composition & Addressing -> Compose messages in HTML format for each account.
  • If it sometimes wants to reply in HTML add *.* as the domain name in Tools -> Options -> Composition -> Send Options -> Plain Text Domains if you want to force it to always send using plain text.

Send HTML messages

  • Check Tools -> Account Settings -> Composition & Addressing -> Compose messages in HTML format for each account if it isn't already checked.
  • If it sometimes wants to reply in plain text you can
    • Select "Send the message in both plain text and HTML" in Tools -> Options -> Composition -> Send Options -> Text Format to have it send a single copy of the message that can be displayed as either HTML or plain text depending upon the recipients preference or
    • Add *.* as the domain name in Tools -> Options -> Composition -> Send Options -> HTML Domains if you want to force it to always send HTML messages.

The Send Options -> Text Format list box has several other choices if this doesn't do what you want.

Temporarily bypass the settings

You don't need to re-configure Thunderbird if you want to send the occasional message in the other format. Just press the "Shift" key when clicking the "Write", "Reply", or "Reply to All" button and it will use the other format for that message. Unfortunately, this doesn't work for "Forward".

Displaying messages

View -> Message Body As defaults to Original HTML. This will display a HTML or a plain text message as is. If you set it to Plain Text it will display a plain text message as is, and transparently convert a HTML message to a plain text message. This doesn't just interpret it as plain text, it temporarily gets rid of all of the HTML tags so that you don't see what looks like code. The third option Simple HTML isn't used as much. Its similar to the Original HTML setting but will only interpret basic HTML commands, disables Javascript, and doesn't display remote images.

Its recommended that you don't check View -> Display Attachments Inline. Checking it lets you view embedded images inline, rather than as attachments. However, its a security risk since you've lost the ability to avoid opening a malicious attachment.

Thunderbird defaults to using a quote bar (a blue bar on the left) rather than a '>' for quoted text. This uses a standard called format=flowed.

See also

External links