Step 1: Sharing Software

If you have some freeware or shareware you've found on the Internet, you can send it to someone by attaching the installation download to an email. Don't send software unless the person is expecting it: software attachments may be large and take a long time to download through a dialup modem.

Step 2: Sharing Documents

Documents, like programs, can also be shared via email attachments. In fact, any computer file can be attached to an email, but just as with software programs the sender should take care to avoid sending large files unless they are expected. The body of the email should include information about how the file is to be used. It is a good idea to run a virus scanner on received file attachments, even if they are from trusted sources.

Step 3: How They're Attached

While composing an email, the sender may attach files. In Eudora and other email programs, this is done by clicking the attach button and browsing for the file name. Some mail programs send attachments automatically. Outlook, for example, can embed email messages within an email message. This is done by attachments. Unnecessary attachments waste valuable time and space, and some computer viruses spread by attaching themselves to the signatures of Microsoft mail utilities.

Step 4: Where They Go

The final destination for attached files depends on the mail utility that receives them. In Microsoft Outlook, for example, attached files remain embedded in the email and can be saved as a separate file if desired. Fortunately, Eudora Light is simpler than that. The files are just received as files. They are stored in a location specified by the user, and deleted at a time specified by the user. See the tutorial "Set receive preferences" in the series "Set advanced options."