Truth About E-Mail Files Transmission: September 1998 Overnight Lite

Cyberspace FAQ...

The Truth About E-Mail Files Transmission

In our July discussion of electronic files transmission, we explained how to send jobs over the Internet to our FTP site. Here's a follow-up FAQ on FTP's low-tech cousin...e-mail.
Q. So what's the problem of attaching print files to e-mail messages?
A. A standard e-mail is an electronic letter that normally arrives in our mailboxes without incident. It's ideal for sending messages to Copies Overnight. However, when you add a print file attachment, you're tempting the gods.

A Disaster Brewing

Q.Why is that?
A. Your e-mail program must encode the graphics to text—a real recipe for disaster.
Your attachment must then travel through an asteroid field in Cyberspace. If you use AOL, CompuServe or Microsoft Network, your risk is compounded.
E-mail is not a real time medium. Therefore, files are often delayed in transmission (with AOL, they may not arrive until the next day). FTP provides real time transmission. What you're sending, we're receiving.
File size is another factor. CompuServe, for example, limits transmissions to two megabytes. An enormous amount for an e-mail message, but not enough for most print files.
Q.Any other problems?
A. Differences in e-mail programs, version numbers and computer platforms add further complications. For example, a Macintosh file could go from the computer desktop to an NT Server, through a UNIX server at an Internet provider and finally wind up on a PC. Talk about too many cooks. By the time the file is decoded at journey's end, we may be looking at charred rubble.

A Better Way

Q.What's the best way to send the file attachment?
A. The fastest and most effective way to send us your files for printing is via our anonymous FTP site. See our July 1998 Copies Overnight Lite for details or review the issue on our website.
If you don't have Internet access, you can modem your jobs directly to our computer bulletin board. Please call us and we'll install our First Class client software.
Q. Is there any hope if I must use e-mail?
A. The best single thing you can do is compress your files. They'll move faster and have less chance of being corrupted in transmission. This is especially true of Macintosh files. See our October 1996 issue of TechTopics for details of files compression for both Mac and PC platforms. We'll be happy to send you a free copy or you can visit our website.

Q. Where should I e-mail print files?
A. We have dozens of e-mail addresses at Copies Overnight. Please do not send your jobs to your production coordinator or to our newsletter address.

Q. Any other advice?
A. Sure. When sending or receiving e-mail attachments, always be sure to run a virus scan on the file.
If you have other questions or would like further information on any aspect of electronic files transmission, please call your production coordinator.

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APEX '98 Awards

Copies Overnight has received two APEX '98 awards for publications excellence from Communications Concepts, Inc.
The awards—for marketing communications and a one person-produced newsletter—recognize our excellence in graphic design, editorial content and overall communications effectiveness. Nearly 4,600 entries were submitted in the national competition sponsored by the business communications and services organization.
"We are very proud of these awards from our peers who recognize the value of our marketing activities and Copies Overnight Lite," president Steve Johnson says. We hope you like our newsletter, too. We're always interested in hearing your questions, comments and suggestions. Please drop us a line via fax or e-mail.

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