text flow

Somewhat off topic:
Whenever I copy and paste from html sources, and sometimes quote from
usenet sources, of text into my eMail software, the recipient of the
message gets the body of text in broken paragraphs. It seems as though
the text contains some sort of invisible character code which forces the
eMail software to place a hard return where it doesn`t belong. Would any
expert on ascii and UTF be familiar with the workings of simple eMail
software settings? I want a better understanding when pulling text out
of one source and placing it into another for electronic media, and when
I see little random variations that I know I didn`t make, I get all
tuckered out. OK, in prefs of my eMail software, there`s a box referring
to wrapping text after 72 characters. In layman`s terms, what exactly
does that mean?

1. The software automatically counts 72 chars spaces before determining
which word should start on the next line.

2. The word in question is then analysed to determin whether a hyphen
can be used.

3. If the word contain fewer letters going over 72 chars rather than
letters under 72, that word is left on original line and the following
word is placed on the next line.

I currently have this setting checked, but I haven`t noticed any
automatic text flowing as I type. When do I get to see this pref
actually go into effect? Would I see it if I cc myself?

Web sites with information to this problem would be helpful, as well as
suggestions such as:

1. Don`t rely on the eMail software for quoting text
2. First use the MessageID number to send a reply
3. Next, highlight text from original message to quote and copy and
paste it into Terminal or some other text editing program
4. Save text in ascii format
5. Insert file as attachment
6. Send

Woud that work?

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"Backward ideas" http://r.aguirre.home.att.net