Hi Lisa, The file size you see is the number of bytes (improperly named "Characters" by KeySoft, perhaps as another relic of its times of glory, now gone by) occupied by the file. The 623 bytes in an empty Microsoft Word or other wordprocessor format is the space occupied by formatting codes, headers, checksums, and other such wonders needed by the word processor to retain all the specifics of the document and present, print and manipulate it as you need. The only type of file for which 0 characters will be reported when 0 characters exist in the file (that is, when the document is truely blank) is a plain text (ASCII) file, for there are no such binary or formatting codes in them (and they are hence the most widely portable and least bloated files the BrailleNote can generate but are also the dullest to look at visually when not formatted by hand). Speaking personally, ASCII text is my preference for precisely these reasons. I do not rely on KeySoft's own file format which is not interchangeable in any way but of course with BrailleNotes, nor on MSWord which is proprietary (and, moreover, whose creators almost certainly intend to keep it that way).
Specifically with regard to the excessively bloated Microsoft Word format, I take this opportunity to ask you (and whoever else finds Microsoft's mind control and monopoly to be a big problem) to read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html . BrailleNote offers you an option to send attachments in alternative formats than your original file format - do not choose MSWord, and do your bit for everyone. Choose ASCII text instead, or - if the file is not a document but simply a message you have prepared on another system - paste into the text of the message. MSWord is only a "De facto standard" because, sadly, no-one knows better than that Microsoft has a firm hold of them until told. Cheers, Sabahattin -- Thought for the day: Intuition (n): an uncanny sixth sense which tells people that they are right, whether they are or not. Sabahattin Gucukoglu Phone: +44 20 88008915 Mobile: +44 7986 053399 http://www.sabahattin-gucukoglu.com/ Email/MSN: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
