Sending Links via email

[mccoady]

I'm always coming across a web page that I want to send to my brother, sister, etc., so when I send the link via email sometimes they are able to open the link and sometimes not, why is this? Is there some setting I need to change as the sender on my end, or is there something that needs changed on the other person's receiving computer? When I do a test and send links to myself they always open alright. Thanks!

[redwudz]

Your email program has to be able to read HTML. Some email programs use Internet Explorer to read them. I use PocoMail and it reads and sends them OK. Outlook should be able to do this also as it's tied to Explorer. Check to see if there are enable settings in their email programs 'Preferences'.

EDIT: Make sure the link starts with 'http://' and that should be all that's needed, (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) as that's the trigger to tell the program it's a web address.

[mccoady]

Well I'm using Outlook Express and I'm pretty sure everyone I would be sending links to also use this, but as far as I can tell there is nothing marked "Preferences". You seem to be implying that it is not my computer setting that is the problem but rather something needs to be changed on the receiving computer where I'm sending the link, is that right? Any idea what exactly should be changed in my brothers or sisters computer and where to change it?

[redwudz]

I don't use Outlook, but from what I can find, there is a HTML selector in 'Options', but that is apparently for outgoing messages and enabled by default. Sorry I said 'preferences'. Your computer appears to be sending them properly, so I think the problem is on the other end.

Outlook versions after Outlook 98 appear to support HTML. It could be that an antivirus program is blocking them. I see some of the email attachments sent to me are being blocked now, whether by the SP2 upgrade or one of my antivirus programs, I'm not sure. They block .doc extensions for Word files and I have to open them manually.

Another less likely cause is the HTML address is broken into two lines by the email receiving program, corrupting the HTML. I guess you should put them on a separate line.

Maybe the easiest is to mention they can 'copy and paste' if they have problems. Not a great solution, though.

[snafu099]

If I use the browsers file-send-link by email, then the link is sent as an attachement which may or may not get through to the reciepent.

The mithod I use is to highlight the address bar, use cntl + c to copy to clipboard, open new message and use cntrl + v to paste the url in the body. They do not have to open an attachement. If their email is set to use html then the link is clickable otherwise it is just plain text and they need to copy and paste to the address bar.

[mccoady]

I guess I forgot to mention but I use the browsers file-send-link by email method and even though the link shows up in the receiving computer's email exactly like I sent it, it is not highlighted so you can actually click on it to take you to that page.