Although the main part of most email messages is text it is often valuable to send files as well. These files can be Xrays, drawings, arthroscopy photographs, or html files, even sound or video files. Virtually all mailing programs have the capacity to "attach" one or more files to a message and these files will be sent to all recipients of the message.

 

In Outlook Express the attachment of a file to a message which you are sending is simple. While writing the message click on the "Attach File" Icon or open the Insert/File menu. The standard Windows file selection dialog box is opened and you can then select the file you wish to send (below) The files attached to a message you are sending are indicated on a line below your message.

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The file you select is then sent with your message.

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Whether a mailing list will accept email attachments depends on how the list is set up. The "Orthopod" family of mailing lists all do accept attachments.

 

When you receive a message with an attachment the mailing program will normally denote this by a small icon beside the message.

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In Microsoft Outlook Express the default setting of the program means that you can see attached image files at the end of the text message. In addition the file names are noted below the message and these files are stored on your computer. Outlook Express stores them in \WINDOWS\TEMP\ folder so this folder can get quite full of files you have forgotten about. Other mailing programs store the attached files
elsewhere, but the principle is the same.

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Note that .exe files can be sent as attachments. These are executable (usually machine language) programmes. As such they are viewed with suspicion as they could be a way in which a virus can be introduced into your machine. Running an executable file (.exe) which was sent to you by someone you don't know is asking for trouble. The safest thing to do is delete the message without opening it as some malicious   attachments to email may be activated by opening the message, not only by running the programme. See the section on viruses.