an author is preparing to send their book to a publisher as an email attachment. the file on their computer is 1000 bytes. when they attach the file to their email, it shows as 750 bytes. the author gets very upset because they are concerned that part of their book has been deleted by the email address. if you could talk to this author, how would you explain what is happening to their book?
an author is preparing to send their book to a publisher as an email attachment. the file on their computer is 1000 bytes. when they attach the file to their email, it shows as 750 bytes. the author gets very upset because they are concerned that part of their book has been deleted by the email address. if you could talk to this author, how would you explain what is happening to their book?
Answer: I would explain to the author that there is likely no need to worry about their book being deleted or altered. The discrepancy in file size between what is shown on their computer (1000 bytes) and what appears as the attached file in the email (750 bytes) is most likely due to how the file size is being reported or compressed during the email attachment process. Here’s what could be happening:
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Compression: Email systems often compress file attachments to reduce the size of the email and make it easier to send and receive. During this compression process, redundant or unused data within the file can be removed. This can lead to a smaller file size while preserving the content and integrity of the file.
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File Metadata: File size can also vary based on the format and metadata associated with the file. Some file formats include metadata that describes the file’s properties, such as its author, creation date, and more. The size of this metadata can differ between the file on the author’s computer and the version attached to the email.
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Reporting Differences: The way file sizes are reported might vary between the author’s computer and the email system. Some systems might report file size in terms of “actual” bytes used, while others might take into account various technical aspects that influence how files are stored and transmitted.
In most cases, the compression and reporting differences during email attachment do not involve deleting or altering content from the file. The book’s content should remain intact, and the email system is likely just optimizing the file for transmission while preserving its readability and usability. If the author is concerned, they could consider opening the attached file to ensure that the content has not been compromised. However, the reduction in file size is generally a common and harmless occurrence during email attachment.