Hi All Here are the results of my test to see who could handle a SMALL attached file encoded in MIME. First let me thank all the people who responded. There were (to date!) 52 replies. Although there was 3 "strange" replies-2 were messages they were "out of the office" (Is this automatic?) The overwhelming response was that 50 people could read my WORD/MIME encoded message without any problems! Only 2 people stated they could not decode the message. Also, many told me the decoding was automatic, and although the others didnt say (I never asked!) I got the impression that it was automatic for most of them also! I also received a few comments that decoding UUE attachments was a "pain"
I have notice a great deal of discussion about to attach or not to attach recently. I recover all my messages at home with a PC and a 14.4KB modem. I regularly recover files that are about 350k and I find the wait not too bad! But as others have pointed out, a few of these on a net can clog the system, or from a hotel etc. can be very frustrating and even costly! I was about to say that "Unfortunately, I dont think there are too many files that would be 50k (as suggested) or less, that would add significant extra inf.!" However, I just checked a one page WORD file that I had generated a short while ago that included two block diagrams, and it was only 28k (Note: the fax version, which is the way I sent it, was 38k) . So, we should keep up with technology-and this test seems to support that more than 90% of the subscribers can handle it. My opinion is that, right now:- 1) Any attached files should be limited in size (50k has been recommended and seems fine to me!) and definitely be in MIME format. 2) Any larger files should be available elsewhere for individual downloading, or maybe by direct request to the sender. Regards Tony OHara TMC & LARCTEC Marketing--EMC Sales Colorado [email protected]
