Attachment file types supported

You can attach any file on your file system that you can find using the browse button.

You can open any file attachment directly from the ETCMail Web Client, provided that your workstation has the right application and the extension is not blocked by your system administrator.  For example, to open a document created using Microsoft Word, you need to be able to run Microsoft Word on your computer.

On most computers, the file type is indicated by the extension, which is usually a period followed by a three-letter code. Examples could include files such as expenses.xls or New-Items.doc. If the file type is one that is supported by the installed software on your computer, you can typically double-click the file and your computer will automatically launch the right application for reading that file.

Many types of files can be opened directly from your browser using various plug-ins. Usually, if you click a file link on a page, your browser automatically detects whether or not you have the right plug-in, and prompts you to download it. Note that your system administration policies may not permit end users to download and install any sort of software.

• Notes:
  On Windows computers, the computer assumes that the file type in the filename matches the actual format. Even if the file is correctly formatted internally, if it does not have the right file type extension in the filename, your computer may not be able to recognize it and open the right application for you.
  
  An increasing number of computer viruses have been designed to spread via file attachments. Therefore, in some environments, system administrators have opted to block incoming mail containing certain types of attachments, most notably files with the extension .EXE or .ZIP as part of their filename. If you send an email message to someone whose email system has been configured to block certain types of attachments, you may or may not receive any notification that was blocked.

For your reference, here are some widely used file extensions.

• .TXT - indicates a text file, which is a file containing only text information. Text files can be opened and read using a wide variety of text editors, including Notepad, WordPad, Word, command-line editors, browsers, and even spreadsheet programs.

• .HTM - Indicates an HTML file, a special type of text file that is usually opened using a Web browser.

• .ZIP - Indicates a file that has been compressed using ZIP compression. You will need WinZip or another compression program that can read and expand the ZIP file.

• .EXE - Indicates an executable or program file. Double-clicking such a file usually launches the application.

• .DOC - Indicates a Microsoft Word document file.

• .JPG - Indicates a graphical image in the JPEG format. You can open JPEGs in a browser or by using one of a variety of graphics programs such as Paint or Adobe Photoshop.

• .GIF - Indicates a graphical image in the GIF format. You can open GIFs in a browser or with a graphics program.

• .MPG - Indicates a movie clip or animation in the MPEG format. Often playable with a browser plug-in or a player such as Windows media Player.

• .WMV - Indicates a movie clip in the WMV format, which is a Windows-only format.

• .PDF - Indicates a document in Acrobat Reader format. You can typically open it from within your browser using a plug-in.