Apparently many of the list members have downloaded and begun using the new
Outlook 98 for their email program.  It is a wonderful program; I use it myself.

However, a few of the available configuration selections are not the best
selections for posting to mailing lists such as this one.  Here are a few
pointers I have picked up for configuring Outlook 98 for posting to the mailing
list.

1.  Enable the > symbol when replying to a message.  The default configuration
does not appear to have that symbol enabled.  To enable the > symbol as a prefix
for each line of the original message, click on Tools, then Options, then the
Preferences tab, then the Email Options button. Towards the bottom of the screen
there is a section entitled "On Replies and Forward", and right under that is a
drop down box entitled "When Replying to a Message".  Use the drop down box to
select "Prefix Each Line of the Original Message".  That will enable the >
symbol.

2.  Use Plain Text when posting to the mailing list. Click Tools, then Options,
then the Mail Format Tab. At the top of the window is the "Message Format"
section, and in that section is a drop down box entitled  "Send in This Message
Format". Using that drop down box, select Plain Text.

3.  Disable character encoding.  Click Tools, then Options, then the Internet
Email tab. At the top of the window is the "Internet Email Sending Format"
section, and in that section is where you select "Mime" or "Uuencode".  Make
certain the selection circle next to "Mime" is checked.  Under the Mime
selection is a drop down box entitled "Encode Text Using".  Using that drop down
box, select None.

4.  Use of a signature file (a brief one, of course).  Since Outlook 98 allows
several signatures to be stored, we can create and use different signatures for
different purposes.  This is the "Signature Picker". It can be found by clicking
on Tools, Options, Mail Format tab. At the bottom of this window is the
Signature section.  If you click the Signature Picker button in that section,
you have the opportunity to create different signature files for different
purposes.  This mailing list requires that everyone include his or her full
name, first and last, on each post. Use of a special mailing list "signature
file" helps immensely in remembering to do this. Keep in mind that four lines is
considered the internet standard for number of lines in a signature file, so
don't get creative in your signature file -- at least not for the mailing lists.

Roxanne Pierce
R2 Systems, San Diego
mailto:[log in to unmask]