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Problems with Mathematica text in email

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Kevin J. McCann

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Nov 22, 2007, 5:17:03 AM11/22/07
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I have noticed recently that a number of posts show text with powers and
other symbols. For example, x^2+y^2==z^3 shows up with the nice
exponentials in the text rather than what I just showed. I am not sure
how this was copied, but I can't get it. Anyway, when I copy such things
into a notebook it comes out as x2+y2==z3, which makes it difficult to use.

Is there a way to copy this stuff into a notebook so it does it
correctly? If not, then it would be nice if posters would Copy As Plain
Text. Does anyone else have this problem? I am using Thunderbird under WXP.

Kevin


--

Kevin J. McCann
Research Associate Professor
JCET/Physics
Physics Building
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250

Szabolcs Horvát

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Nov 22, 2007, 6:41:00 AM11/22/07
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Kevin J. McCann wrote:
> I have noticed recently that a number of posts show text with powers and
> other symbols. For example, x^2+y^2==z^3 shows up with the nice
> exponentials in the text rather than what I just showed. I am not sure
> how this was copied, but I can't get it. Anyway, when I copy such things
> into a notebook it comes out as x2+y2==z3, which makes it difficult to use.
>
> Is there a way to copy this stuff into a notebook so it does it
> correctly? If not, then it would be nice if posters would Copy As Plain
> Text. Does anyone else have this problem? I am using Thunderbird under WXP.

This is an annoying bug in Thunderbird that unfortunately does not get
much attention from the developers ... Thunderbird automatically formats
x ^ 2 as x with a superscripted 2.

<https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=290274>

A workaround is to go to Tools -> Options -> Display and untick "Display
emoticons as graphics"

--
Szabolcs

Jean-Marc Gulliet

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Nov 22, 2007, 6:45:13 AM11/22/07
to
Kevin J. McCann wrote:

> I have noticed recently that a number of posts show text with powers and
> other symbols. For example, x^2+y^2==z^3 shows up with the nice
> exponentials in the text rather than what I just showed. I am not sure
> how this was copied, but I can't get it. Anyway, when I copy such things
> into a notebook it comes out as x2+y2==z3, which makes it difficult to use.
>
> Is there a way to copy this stuff into a notebook so it does it
> correctly? If not, then it would be nice if posters would Copy As Plain
> Text. Does anyone else have this problem? I am using Thunderbird under WXP.

The issue is related to how Thunderbird handles emoticons (or smilies).

To fix it, in Thunderbird 2.0, go to menu Tools -> Options -> Display ->
Formatting -> Plain Test Messages -> uncheck the box "Display emoticons
as graphics".

Regards,
--
Jean-Marc

David Bailey

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Nov 23, 2007, 5:40:27 AM11/23/07
to
Kevin J. McCann wrote:
> I have noticed recently that a number of posts show text with powers and
> other symbols. For example, x^2+y^2==z^3 shows up with the nice
> exponentials in the text rather than what I just showed. I am not sure
> how this was copied, but I can't get it. Anyway, when I copy such things
> into a notebook it comes out as x2+y2==z3, which makes it difficult to use.
>
> Is there a way to copy this stuff into a notebook so it does it
> correctly? If not, then it would be nice if posters would Copy As Plain
> Text. Does anyone else have this problem? I am using Thunderbird under WXP.
>
> Kevin
>
>
There may be better ways to do this, but (at least using Thunderbird)
you can select an option to "view message source". This is a bit messy,
but the above appears in the same form as Mathematica InputForm - with
circumflex characters - so this will copy and paste as required.

David Bailey
http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk

Kevin J. McCann

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Nov 23, 2007, 5:46:40 AM11/23/07
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Szabolcs, Jean-Marc,

Thank you both. I made the change, and voila it works!!

Kevin

Jean-Marc Gulliet wrote:


> Kevin J. McCann wrote:
>
>> I have noticed recently that a number of posts show text with powers
>> and other symbols. For example, x^2+y^2==z^3 shows up with the nice
>> exponentials in the text rather than what I just showed. I am not
>> sure how this was copied, but I can't get it. Anyway, when I copy
>> such things into a notebook it comes out as x2+y2==z3, which makes it
>> difficult to use.
>>
>> Is there a way to copy this stuff into a notebook so it does it
>> correctly? If not, then it would be nice if posters would Copy As
>> Plain Text. Does anyone else have this problem? I am using
>> Thunderbird under WXP.
>

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