Mail: Rich Text, Plain Text, or HTML composition?

[applefan289]

Which is best to work with? I currently have it set to Rich Text, but unless I mess with the fonts, it sends the message in Plain Text...so which of these is generally better?

Mail by default has it set to Rich Text, just curious as to what most people do.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Rich Text. HTML is usually too annoying to get so I sure don't want to send it.

 

[englishman]

Always plain text.

 

[jbg232]

I'm very interested in this thread, OP maybe you can add a poll?

 

[applefan289]

I'm very interested in this thread, OP maybe you can add a poll?

Done.

 

[jbg232]

Thanks!

 

[applefan289]

Is it even possible to create a message in Mail that is HTML? I only see an option for plain text and rich text.

 

[fhaddad]

Hi

I only use rich text and it's working fine

 

[speacock]

• Plain text = no formatting, no embedded graphics, 100% certain any recipient can read it
• RTF = Word-processor like formatting, embedded graphics, but some mail recipients may not be able to read it
• HTML = More limited formatting, embedded graphics, most but not all recipients will be able to read it

In the end though, it's a bit of a moot point because most people's mail agent will be able to read all of them and those that can't tend to convert to your native format anyway.

For best cross compatibility between Mac and PC I generally recommend HTML. HTML is definitely the best option if you're using MS Exchange at the back-end.

 

[applefan289]

• Plain text = no formatting, no embedded graphics, 100% certain any recipient can read it
• RTF = Word-processor like formatting, embedded graphics, but some mail recipients may not be able to read it
• HTML = More limited formatting, embedded graphics, most but not all recipients will be able to read it

In the end though, it's a bit of a moot point because most people's mail agent will be able to read all of them and those that can't tend to convert to your native format anyway.

For best cross compatibility between Mac and PC I generally recommend HTML. HTML is definitely the best option if you're using MS Exchange at the back-end.

HTML seems more complicated though. It looks like you have to actually create it like you create a web page...sort of a hassle.

Typed it in on Google and got this...this guy HATES HTML email.

http://archive.birdhouse.org/etc/evilmail.html

 

[speacock]

HTML seems more complicated though. It looks like you have to actually create it like you create a web page...sort of a hassle.

Typed it in on Google and got this...this guy HATES HTML email.

http://archive.birdhouse.org/etc/evilmail.html

I can't comment on the guy who doesn't like HTML email, but I can say that you definitely don't have to type any HTML tags into your email. If you set the message type to HTML, all you get is a few more options available for formatting, such as lists, tables, typeface, font-size and font-style, colour, etc. RTF offers a few more and a bit more sophistication, but may not work for all recipients.

One downside I will mention for HTML email is that it can carry more risk of carrying malware.

 

[applefan289]

I am surprised some organizations have not gotten together to agree on a "standard" of email that from this point on, everyone can read!!

 

[kasakka]

Rich text, because Outlook uses its own awful HTML rendering engine.

There is barely anything standard about email. It is a truly ****** system from the ground up.

 

[applefan289]

Rich text, because Outlook uses its own awful HTML rendering engine.

There is barely anything standard about email. It is a truly ****** system from the ground up.

It's funny, cause on Microsoft's site it says the opposite - to use HTML (over RTF).

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/o...html-rich-text-or-plain-text-HP001232996.aspx

After researching about email technology, it's hard for me to believe it is such an unorganized system, yet it is one of the most widely-used digital communication methods.

 

[applefan289]

I just came across this organization that is helping to reduce the frustrations of incorrectly-formatted email when displayed on the recipient's screen (HTML email, which should also include RTF HTML tags). It's a project that is trying to get rid of this.

http://www.email-standards.org/

Very interesting, exactly what I was looking for. They say Mail has excellent compatibility on their list, yet Outlook 2007 has many improvements to be made (as far as compatibility is concerned). Very interesting site.

 

[McGSke]

RTF altered by recipient's email

When I send Mac Mail messages in RTF, the fonts I use are typically altered in my message when it is appended to a reply. The font and format of my signature are also altered. This never happened when I used Outlook for mail from my Mac. I understood that this is because Outlook uses HTML but Mac Mail offers only RTF or the dreadful plain text. Is this correct?

 

[HenryAZ]

Plain text is the smtp standard for transmitting mail between mail servers, so whatever "style" you choose, it will be reduced to plain text before sending. (Even attachments are put into plain ascii text by encoding). If you use RTF or HTML, you are then at the mercy of the recipient's email client as to how it is rendered. It may not look at all like what you sent. Red text may no longer be red, so your "emphasis" is lost. Same with bold, underlining, or any other features offered by RTF or HTML.

Plain text is the only way to ensure that what you send is what they get.

 

[McGSke]

I don't remember ever having the fonts in my emails altered when included in a reply when I was using Microsoft Outlook on either a Windows computer or a Mac. I think it has happened only since I switched to Mac Mail on my Mac. Am I wrong about that? I have been wondering about moving back to Outlook on my Mac.

 

[ardchoille50]

I am surprised some organizations have not gotten together to agree on a "standard" of email that from this point on, everyone can read!!

I'll just leave this here..