Forwarding always switches html to text

Herb

unread,

Apr 21, 2009, 8:56:52 AM4/21/09

to

My default composition mode is text.

When I compose new messages or reply to messages I can use the Shift key
to switch to html mode as and when required.

However, I can't see a way of forwarding an html message in its 'native'
html format, i.e. TB always changes the message to text mode =-O

Am I missing something?

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Moz Champion (Dan)

unread,

Apr 21, 2009, 9:25:20 AM4/21/09

to

Herb wrote:
> My default composition mode is text.
>
> When I compose new messages or reply to messages I can use the Shift key
> to switch to html mode as and when required.
>
> However, I can't see a way of forwarding an html message in its 'native'
> html format, i.e. TB always changes the message to text mode =-O
>
> Am I missing something?
>

[Tools-->Options]*-->Composition [General]

at the bottom <Send Options>

You probably have it set to convert to plain text, change that

*varies by OS
Linux
[Edit-->Preferences]
Mac
[Thunderbird-->Preferences]
Windows as above

Herb

unread,

Apr 21, 2009, 10:08:53 AM4/21/09

to

Thanks for your reply.

Do you mean under Text Format in <Send Options>?

My option is set to "Send the message in HTML anyway" :-\

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Tarkus

unread,

Apr 21, 2009, 1:18:16 PM4/21/09

to

Herb wrote:
> My default composition mode is text.
>
> When I compose new messages or reply to messages I can use the Shift key
> to switch to html mode as and when required.
>
> However, I can't see a way of forwarding an html message in its 'native'
> html format, i.e. TB always changes the message to text mode =-O
>
> Am I missing something?

Yes, also hold the Shift key when clicking on the Forward command.

Ron K.

unread,

Apr 21, 2009, 3:45:45 PM4/21/09

to

Herb on 4/21/2009 10:08 AM, keyboarded a reply:

My understanding is the same Shift-Click HTML mode toggle works with the
forward.

--
Ron K.
Who is General Failure, and why is he searching my HDD?
Kernel Restore reported Major Error used BSOD to msg the enemy!

Irwin Greenwald

unread,

Apr 21, 2009, 9:49:05 PM4/21/09

to

Nope. Try Shift click forward on this; it doesn't bring up an HTML
compose window, whereas shift click reply does.

Irwin

--
Please do not use my email address to make requests for help.
Knowledge Base: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Main_Page

JoeS

unread,

Apr 21, 2009, 10:12:40 PM4/21/09

to

On 4/21/2009 8:56 AM, Herb wrote:

My default composition mode is text.

When I compose new messages or reply to messages I can use the Shift key to switch to html mode as and when required.

However, I can't see a way of forwarding an html message in its 'native' html format, i.e. TB always changes the message to text mode =-O

Am I missing something?

The only way to really be sure of what format you are sending, is to select it in the Options | Format dialog (in the compose window)
Otherwise, all the other built-in prefs come into play (Addressbook prefs, etc..etc)

JoeS

Herb

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 12:15:41 AM4/22/09

to

I tried, that, of course, but it doesn't work.

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Herb

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 12:18:46 AM4/22/09

to

I don't see a Format dialog under Options in the Compose window.

In any case, once the Compose window is up, it is too late, i.e. the
html message I want to forward has already been converted to text.

Does forwarding of html messages work OK for others? How?

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Tarkus

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 12:23:31 AM4/22/09

to

It seems it only works when you have forwarding set up as an attachment.
If you have it set up as inline, you're right, it doesn't work.

Moz Champion (Dan)

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 12:29:26 AM4/22/09

to

If you don't see a Format selection under Options in the compose window,
then you are not in HTML Compose mode (it doesn't appear in plain text mode)

You can set HTML Compose mode in an account
or switch to it when replying/forwarding

Ken Whiton

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 1:00:07 AM4/22/09

to

*-* On Tue, 21 Apr 2009, at 13:56:52 +0100,
*-* In Article GICdnWyTS-MJX3DU...@mozilla.org,
*-* Herb wrote
*-* About Forwarding always switches html to text

> My default composition mode is text.

> When I compose new messages or reply to messages I can use the Shift
> key to switch to html mode as and when required.

> However, I can't see a way of forwarding an html message in its
> 'native' html format, i.e. TB always changes the message to text
> mode =-O

> Am I missing something?

No. Your problem tells me you have TBird configured to forward
messages as "Inline" rather than "Attachment" (Message --> Forward As).
I had the same problem a couple of years ago:

http://groups.google.com/group/mozilla.support.thunderbird/msg/54c34f5387c8a783

There are multiple bugs on file at Bugzilla related to this:

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=111298 (SeaMonkey)
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=254931 (SeaMonkey)
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228562 (TBird)

Until this is fixed, I can think of three ways to work around
this problem:

1. Message --> Forward As --> Attachment

2. When needed, (temporarily) change your composition mode for
that account to HTML, then change it back to plain text when
done.
(Tools --> Account Settings --> [Account Name] --> Composition &
Addressing

3. If most/all of the forwarding you do is HTML, permanently
change your composition mode *for that account* to HTML, and
use the <Shift> key when starting a text new message or reply.
This is the method I use.

Ken Whiton
--
FIDO: 1:132/152
InterNet: kenw...@surfglobal.net.INVAL (remove the obvious to reply)

Herb

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 1:56:18 AM4/22/09

to

Yes, thanks, I can forward as attachment, but why doesn't it work inline?

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Herb

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 1:57:45 AM4/22/09

to

Yes, sure, thanks, but I would rather do it on the fly.

> or switch to it when replying/forwarding

How?

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Herb

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 1:59:43 AM4/22/09

to

Hi Ken,

Thanks for your helpful reply and for confirming that it is basically a bug.

I might consider your option 3. until it is fixed.

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Ken Whiton

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 3:17:26 AM4/22/09

to

*-* On Wed, 22 Apr 2009, at 06:59:43 +0100,
*-* In Article zoGdnWmZZrTSL3PU...@mozilla.org,
*-* Herb wrote
*-* About Re: Forwarding always switches html to text

> On 22.04.2009 06:00 UK Time, Ken Whiton wrote:

>> *-* Herb wrote

>>> Am I missing something?

>> http://groups.google.com/group/mozilla.support.thunderbird/msg/54c34f5387c8a783

> Thanks for your helpful reply and for confirming that it is
> basically a bug.

You're welcome. As I said, I went through the same thing a
couple of years ago, and I still remember how frustrating it is to not
know why it doesn't work the way (you think) it's supposed to. :-(

> I might consider your option 3. until it is fixed.

As long as most/all of the forwarding you do is in HTML that
works well, but if you do nearly equal amounts of text and HTML
forwarding then there's little or no difference between options 2 and
3. :-( The only problem I have is that when starting a plain text new
message or reply I sometimes forget to use the <Shift> key. When that
happens, though, it's easy enough to close the HTML Compose window and
open a proper plain text one. ;-)

Moz Champion (Dan)

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 5:02:22 AM4/22/09

to

Using <Shift> and hitting Write, Reply, or Reply-All would do it, but
alas this does not work for Forwarding

You have to set in in
Tools-->Account Settings--><name of account>-->Composition & Addressing
[x] Compose messages in HTML format

Herb

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 6:09:47 AM4/22/09

to

Yes, hence this thread :-)

> You have to set in in
> Tools-->Account Settings--><name of account>-->Composition & Addressing
> [x] Compose messages in HTML format

Yes, thanks, I might in fact try that as the default setting and use
Shift to use text instead as required.

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Moz Champion (Dan)

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 10:18:41 AM4/22/09

to

What I do.
I set my account to compose in HTML, and then I set my global
preferences (send options) to 'Ask Me' - if at the end there is no
requirement for the HTML, I simply use 'Send Plain Text' when it asks.

Tarkus

unread,

Apr 22, 2009, 1:37:20 PM4/22/09

to

Maybe a bug? I don't know. I wonder if it works in TB3.

Message has been deleted

Herb

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 2:35:58 AM4/23/09

to

On 22.04.2009 21:54 UK Time, squaredancer wrote:
> On 22.04.2009 12:09, CET - what odd quirk of fate caused Herb to
> generate the following:? :

> Herb - for what it's worth, I /compose/ permanently in HTML Mode, but
> /send/ in whatever format my addressbook has for the addressees.. And
> for Newsgroups, I get the "ask" box, which is set to Textformat by
> default (a PITA for when I forget, in the Multimedia groups *lol*)
>
> May be the way for you to go ??
>
> reg

Hi Reg

Thanks for your message. I'm not sure I'm too keen on the idea of making
the send mode dependent on what is specified in the addressbook. I think
most of my addressbook entries are probably set to "Unknown" and in any
case, I may not always want to send it in the same format, i.e. I like
to be able to decide the format on the fly.

Yesterday I switched to HTML as default and I now use Shift to switch to
text before writing/replying, although I'm not sure I'll get used to
this and I may switch back to text as default and carry on using
'Forward as attachment' for html messages I want to forward until this
bug is fixed (hopefully in TB 3?)

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Moz Champion (Dan)

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 3:22:36 AM4/23/09

to

Um, its not considered a 'bug' so how can it get fixed?

Herb

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 3:54:47 AM4/23/09

to

According to Ken's first reply in this thread it is a bug.

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Ken Whiton

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 4:04:32 AM4/23/09

to

*-* On Thu, 23 Apr 2009, at 03:22:36 -0400,
*-* In Article RZCdnbGaYPvNim3U...@mozilla.org,
*-* Moz Champion (Dan) wrote

*-* About Re: Forwarding always switches html to text

> Herb wrote:

[ ... ]

>> Yesterday I switched to HTML as default and I now use Shift to
>> switch to text before writing/replying, although I'm not sure I'll
>> get used to this and I may switch back to text as default and carry
>> on using 'Forward as attachment' for html messages I want to
>> forward until this bug is fixed (hopefully in TB 3?)

Unfortunately, it's classified as of minor importance, and no one
appears to be working on it, so fixing in TB3 looks unlikely. :-(

> Um, its not considered a 'bug' so how can it get fixed?

Oh?!?!?!?

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228562

First reported in 2003, 34 votes for it.

Herb

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 5:09:26 AM4/23/09

to

On 23.04.2009 09:04 UK Time, Ken Whiton wrote:
> *-* On Thu, 23 Apr 2009, at 03:22:36 -0400,
> *-* In Article RZCdnbGaYPvNim3U...@mozilla.org,
> *-* Moz Champion (Dan) wrote
> *-* About Re: Forwarding always switches html to text
>
>> Herb wrote:
>
> [ ... ]
>
>>> Yesterday I switched to HTML as default and I now use Shift to
>>> switch to text before writing/replying, although I'm not sure I'll
>>> get used to this and I may switch back to text as default and carry
>>> on using 'Forward as attachment' for html messages I want to
>>> forward until this bug is fixed (hopefully in TB 3?)
>
> Unfortunately, it's classified as of minor importance, and no one
> appears to be working on it, so fixing in TB3 looks unlikely. :-(
>
>> Um, its not considered a 'bug' so how can it get fixed?
>
> Oh?!?!?!?
>
> https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228562
>
> First reported in 2003, 34 votes for it.

35 now :-)

And I added a comment at
<https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228562>.

Is there away to crank up the minor importance status, or is this
determined automatically based on the number of votes?

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Message has been deleted

Chris Ilias

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 11:52:28 AM4/23/09

to

On 23/04/09 5:09 AM, Herb wrote:
> And I added a comment at
> <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228562>.

Please don't comment on bugs unless your comment is constructive in
helping to fix the bug.
See <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html>.

--
Chris Ilias <http://ilias.ca>
List-owner: support-firefox, support-thunderbird, test-multimedia
Keeper of the Knowledge Base: <https://support.mozilla.com/kb/>

Tarkus

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 12:24:39 PM4/23/09

to

Chris Ilias wrote:
> On 23/04/09 5:09 AM, Herb wrote:
>> And I added a comment at
>> <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228562>.
>
> Please don't comment on bugs unless your comment is constructive in
> helping to fix the bug.

So you're admitting it IS a bug?

Herb

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 12:40:56 PM4/23/09

to

It was Dan who had doubts ;-)

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Herb

unread,

Apr 23, 2009, 12:46:55 PM4/23/09

to

On 23.04.2009 16:52 UK Time, Chris Ilias wrote:
> On 23/04/09 5:09 AM, Herb wrote:
>> And I added a comment at
>> <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228562>.
>
> Please don't comment on bugs unless your comment is constructive in
> helping to fix the bug.
> See <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html>.

Yes, sorry, I had to remind myself how to actually vote for the bug - it
is clear now but I hadn't used the system for a while and it wasn't
immediately obvious and I thought I had to enter a submit a comment
which would then count as a vote :-[

In any case, I don't think my comment was entirely useless - at least I
provided a link to this discussion, which, if nothing else, illustrates
that other TB users who may not have yet have voted for the bug would
like to see it solved.

Anyway, how is the importance status determined?

Now that I know that it is a bug I do in fact find it quite irritating,
and if there is no prospect of it being fixed I would find it even more
irritating =-O

--
Herbert Eppel
www.HETranslation.co.uk

Message has been deleted