As a veteran Internet user, I can honestly say I remember a instant when HTML e-mail was not possible. Back then RTF wasnt available either and for that matter, e mail programs did not even wrap lines for you or allow file attachments.

Today however, I receive a steady and annoying stream of electronic mail in all shapes, colors and sizes. Almost all promotional advertisements and many newsletters come in Html format.

Now, Spam is annoying, Spam in droves even more so, but Spam with "twirlygigs" is intolerable -- and dangerous. HTML is for web sites . I visit them all the measure and enjoy their various amusements. Email however, is a tool. A communications method used for taking work done. I get plenty of regular e mail, hundreds of pieces a day usually, due to the support, consulting and writing services I provide. If all of those emails are in HTML format then I am stuck looking at potentially hundreds of web pages and thousands of graphics.

HTML e mail takes extra time to download, and for me it takes more measure to read. You see I dont trust HTML e-mail. Ive coded many websites in my day and I know that scripts could be hidden in the pages. Now when you couple that fact with the daily news about viruses and worms being sent, well thats just downright scary, so I do not allow my e mail script to automatically open HTML formatted email. Now I rarely make use of Outlook and Express (sorry Microsoft but they feel just a bit too dangerous to me now days) however Id rather be safe than sorry no matter which e mail program I make use of . So, I have my electronic mail software configured to show all HTML messages as attachments.

Having the e mail converted to an attachment allows me to immediately see if there are any other files included with the communication . And let me tell you, this has saved my butt instant after instant! Ive lost count of how many times Ive gotten e-mail with the HTML attached, and malicious code, worms and viruses attached right next to it. If my e mail program was configured to "conveniently" display HTML as a web page, then a lot of those attached files would have opened on their own and done who knows what to my system.

So, if you receive a lot of email yourself, be careful what you allow to come in. If you run a newsletter or Email update accomadation of any kind, please be courteous and at least ASK before sending HTML formatted e mail. And when you do have permission to send HTML electronic mail , dont add heavy graphics, scripts or other document attachments.

Text can not be as glamorous, but its a heck of a lot safer and much easier for your readers to glance through.