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NOTE: Each email application is slightly different on the mechanics of attached files but none are very difficult. Just look around in the menus and helps and you will find the system for your application. If you can't find it, feel free to contact me for help. David Thomas. It is usually a simple "Select Attach/Append File/Document" followed by "Select File/Document".As with any computer skill, experience is the best teacher. A little of the "trial-and-error" combined with "try-it-again-with-an-adjustment" attitude will go a long way. Learn how to do this with your email application and a "whole new world of computing opens up for you".
A little info beyond the basic "willing to try" attitude (above)The burden is on the sender to make sure the file being sent has a possibility of being opened on the receiver's computer without undue complications! (Although a skilled receiver can do many things to complete the communication link and "get the file opened".)
(Remember: If basic information (text with no graphics or images) is all that is being sent, sending an attached file may be "overkill". Just Copy your information in your word processor application, Open your email application / new message, and Paste the "copied" information into the body of the message. This is the fastest and most accurate way of getting information (text) to the receiver. There will be no formatting - centering of text, bold face, etc. - but the information will be sent and that is all that is needed much of the time.)Most files on your computer can be attached to an email message and sent to someone. Before sending a file, remember that the receiver may not be able to open your files because they do not have your computer. Whether they can use the file or not depends upon how aware both the sender and receiver are of the following items. There should be some established communications between the sender and receiver on the following items.
A next step in knowledge and sharing!Please know that the following items make a difference on both the sending and receiving end of the transmission!!
Protocols
What Platform (PC/Windows or Mac or ???) is used!!!
What Application Program is used!!!
What type of document (word processing, data base, spreadsheet, graphic, text, drawing, etc.) is it!
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
The simplest suggestion I can give when sending a file to someone is to tell them something about the file your are attaching (If you don't know this information it seems rather presumptious that you would think the receiver would know it).A simple statement in your email message can solve many problems for the receiver. Remember, the file will be opened on another computer (not your own) and that computer may have different applications and maybe a different format (PC? Windows? Macintosh). The receiver may have to do many things to look at your file --- help them out!!
Include a statement like one of the following: "I have attached a ClarisWorks 4 (Macintosh) Drawing document!"
"I have attached a Microsoft Word 6 (Windows 98) WP document!"
"I have attached a FileMake Pro 4 (Macintosh) DB document!"
"I have attached a picture created with PhotoShop 4 (Macintosh)."
"I have attached a image file that you should be able to open in any graphics program. (.jpg, .pict, gif)"
"If you can't open the file, please contact me so we can 'get together'!"
Lost files (and lost time trying to figure out what kind of files has been sent) are a real nuisance. Most of these communications problems can be solved very easily by a "sensitive" sender!!!!!
NOTE: Each computer is configured to place attached files is a special location/directory/folder on that computer. One can usually just click on the attached file in the email message but if you don't automatically find the attached file, you will need to search your "Settings" menu to see where the email application is configured to store attachments.
The receiver has the obligation to try to open the file in the correct application from information given to him/her by the sender.
MacLinkPlus is an almost "magical" application program on the Macintosh computer (it is available for the Windows computer also) that will attempt to do some things that the receiver may not know how to do. Use it with care!An informed receiver (person) is much better than any generic application program. Open the file with the application that matches the sender's application program when ever possible!!
FINAL NOTE
If the sender has sent no information concerning the file, ask for the information in a return email message!!Please be assured that you are not an "inadequate person" with a "rotten computer" because you cannot open a sent file.
Communicate with the sender and find out what protocols will work for the two of you!!!
The Sender may be able to send the file in a format that you can use.
You may have to purchase an (some) additional application program(s) to communicate effectively and regularly with a specific sender.
Practice and Communication between sender and receiver will make the process simpler and more usable. There may have to be some adjustments and minor changes to make it work every time."Once in a lifetime" attached files are more likely not to work than to work. The attitude of wanting to communicate with each other and the willingness to "try again" until we "get it right" will make this system of transferring information very convenient and fast!!!
Are you ready for "More Detailed Information"?Macintosh Ideas Updates1- Information About Internet Files, Email, & Attached Files
2- Cross Platform - Read this to define "cross-platform"!
3- Attach Files - Main page with more detail on
4- Attach Files America Online - Special for AOL users!
- Compressing/Stuffing files - (see Compressing/Transferring files)
- Use of "Standard" Applications
- Use of MacLinkPlus
5- File Enclosures - How To Do It!!
6- Mac to PC Files Issues - More "technical" stuff
7- Mime Attachments - more advanced stuff