Referencing Large Files In E-Mail

Ever try to attach a large file, like a picture to an e-mail, only to have it get rejected as being too large. E-mail protocol was never intended to distribute files. It is a text based system intended to send written text messages, and the attachment techniques available on today's e-mail programs are simply kluges that have some serious limitations.  The worst one is that it is at least 4 times slower to send an attachment by e-mail.  There is a better way.  Place the file you want to distribute onto TCRCM's archive FTP server, and e-mail everyone a automatic hyperlink so they can look at it if they choose to. Here is how.

Step 1: You will first need an FTP client program that will run on your computer.  AOL has one built in that will upload to a FTP site. Others are available for free for PC's, Mac's and Unix/Linux systems.  Click here for a full details on FTP client programs.

Step 2: Once you have an FTP client program, upload the file you want to distribute to the server.  You may put it in the top directory, or in a subdirectory such as photos

Step 3: Now that you have your file stored in an accessible FTP server, how do you hyperlink it in a e-mail?

Most e-mail programs will see a standard URL and automatically hyperlink it for you.  Simply type your message with the following link:
http://sgster.dyndns.org/yourfilename.jpg

For example:

"Hi all. Hyperlinked is a great clip I thought you all might enjoy:

http://sgster.dyndns.org/zagi.asf  "

In most e-mail readers, all they must do is doubleclick the hyperlink and the file will be automatically loaded into a viewer.  On clunky, hampered systems, they may have to copy the hyperlink into the url address space of the browser to get it to load.  One way or the other, it will load about 4 times faster and not tear up the e-mail systems.

Another thing to watch out for, whether using the ftp technique or simply attaching a file to an e-mail-- always include the proper file extension to the filename.  Most computers cannot tell which type of viewer to load without the proper file extension.  Most photos are .jpg, graphics are .gif, sound may be .wav or many other standards.

Steve Sterling

This page last updated 01/13/01 23:25