Ever since I started using Linux, I am unable to send web based EMail in HTML format. I use the Debian HD install of Knoppix. However, used Vector Linux prior to this. Same issue with that as well.

My browser is Mozilla 1.7.2 that comes with Debian/Knoppix.

As a Windows user well over two years ago, I didn't have this problem.

Please assist.

Thanks.

Vijay

Hi,

First off, what version of Knoppix is it? I'm guessing it's not too new, because it doesn't have Firefox...

Secondly, download Mozilla Firefox instead of your current web browser (Mozilla)! Firefox is much better, supports many more extensions and features, and it generally provides for a better experience!

Thirdly, what web-based mail are you using? Gmail? Hotmail? Yahoo Mail? Please explain more...

[edit] Also, what do you mean by 'cannot send'? Does that mean that you click the button to send the email, and it doesn't take you anywhere? - or, does it mean that you click the button, it tells you that the email has been sent, and it hasn't? [/edit]

J_K9

Knoppix is like well over a year old. However, I was able to send web based HTML EMails with Windows long before that. For sure it doesn't have Firefox.

Web Based EMail I tried to use is both Yahoo and Myway.

Actually can't send is corrected to, has no option to compose HTML EMail, goes only plain text based E-Mail.

Could it be something between the browser and the EMail site ?

I don't think so....but you could send HTML-formatted email from Windows, right? If so, that's extremely odd - and it doesn't have an option to switch to HTML when you're accessing it through Mozilla, right? How odd....

Give Firefox a go - Mozilla.org



J_K9

Mozilla and Thunderbird let you compose your mail the way you want, and decide at the moment of sending, if the mail can be sent as plain text, or if the more elaborate HTML format is needed. Depending on the configuration, you may be asked if you really want to send the mail in HTML format, or if it should be stripped down to plain text.

On the matter of sending the mail, either with Yahoo or another service, it should just be a matter of using your ISP's SMTP server, or if this does not work, the other service's SMTP server.

Yves.

Where exactly is the option that allows one to choose HTML in Mozilla, Yahoo/Myway ?

Thanks.

Here is a help box in MyWay:

To avoid seeing HTML tags when replying to a message, you can switch from Plain Text version (the version you are currently using) to Power Editor version by clicking the "Switch to Power Editor" link above the compose message text box. (Note: Power Editor is only compatible with Internet Explorer.)

Should you not use Internet Explorer - or prefer using the Plain Text version of your account - please know that the HTML tags you see in the original message will not be seen by the recipient of your message assuming that person is using an email system that shows HTML emails. (Nearly all email systems now do.) We also recommend clicking "Display as HTML in Sent Message" below your compose message text box to further ensure that your message will arrive with proper formatting.

Some web email services will not allow external POP3/STMP access though, so you may not be able to use Thunderbird for them...but you can try! I've never used Myway or Yahoo, so I can't possibly tell you, but if you search around you should be able to disect the SMTP and POP3 servers' IP adresses and just type them into your email app! Oh, and if you can't fnd them anywhere, then you might wanna look into the email headers...

Cheers,

J_K9

Thanks for all the info. The button/link for converting my E-Mail when composing to HTML still doesn't appear for me.

Vijay

This may be because MyWay has a browser check - and when it detects that you're using a Mozilla browser, it 'removes' the link (knowing full well that you aren't using IE). I think this is a really stupid opinion to take, and MyWay are just doing themselves harm by not allowing non-IE users to send HTML emails. Yet, this is their problem, not yours - I think there may be an extension for Firefox though that spoofs you, making you look like you're using IE... Check it out!



J_K9

I don't suppose I could talk you out of using HTML e-mail?

I think there are many good reasons for not inflicting it on your correspondents:
Google on "HTML e-mail" & see some of them.
http://www.mozillaquest.com/Linux05/...E-Mail_Warning"
http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/reports/1800/2/
http://zgp.org/pipermail/linux-eliti...st/007015.html

Perhaps the best article is George Dillon's 7 reasons why HTML e-mail is EVIL!!! or the printable version.

His 1 sentence summary: To that I will add 2 personal items:

• My personal e-mail filters put all html & multi-part msgs. directly in the spam box.
• HAL-PC (my local computer club) does not allow HTML e-mail to staff or Board of Directors.

To further J_K9 comments, Yahoo! have something similar - even with the latest version of Firefox at work, users only receive the standard formatting bar within Yahoo! Mail and are unable to get the HTML formatting options.

Great post. Thanks.