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Thunderbird is not displaying the html version of certain emails

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  • Last reply by jetkins

jetkins
jetkins
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For the most part, Thunderbird is displaying the HTML version of my received emails, as I have asked it to (View --> Message Body As --> Original HTML), but for one particular daily report I receive, it only displays the text/plain version and appears to completely ignore the text/html version.

I have examined the message source and can see no obvious problems; I've run the HTML through an online parser with only a couple of minor warnings detected; I can forward the emails to my work account where my Lotus Notes happily displays the HTML-formatted version, but Thunderbird steadfastly refuses to show me anything but the plain text.

Before I go to VMware and tell them their software is generating problematic emails, is there some form of debugging that I can turn on that might give some idea why this is happening?

Thanks!

For the most part, Thunderbird is displaying the HTML version of my received emails, as I have asked it to (View --> Message Body As --> Original HTML), but for one particular daily report I receive, it only displays the text/plain version and appears to completely ignore the text/html version. I have examined the message source and can see no obvious problems; I've run the HTML through an online parser with only a couple of minor warnings detected; I can forward the emails to my work account where my Lotus Notes happily displays the HTML-formatted version, but Thunderbird steadfastly refuses to show me anything but the plain text. Before I go to VMware and tell them their software is generating problematic emails, is there some form of debugging that I can turn on that might give some idea why this is happening? Thanks!

Chosen solution

For the sake of completeness, I researched the relevant RFC based on jcrammer's comment. It's RFC2046, which states in part,

As with "multipart/mixed", the order of body parts is significant. In this case, the alternatives appear in an order of increasing faithfulness to the original content. In general, the best choice is the LAST part of a type supported by the recipient system's local environment.

Now to go file a bug report with VMware. Thanks, Matt!

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All Replies (6)

Matt
Matt
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open the error console on the tools menu. Clear it. Open the relevant mail Check the error console for new errors and warnings.

Like your online parser, there is a lot of noise, so you have to be selective. Look also in the source for a contenteditable... that will trip Thunderbird almost every time.

jetkins
jetkins Question owner
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Hi, Matt.

Thanks for responding. Unfortunately, opening the troublesome mail doesn't generate any errors or warning, no any sign of anything that looks even remotely like an error in the regular messages that are produced. And no sign of contenteditable in the source, either. :/

Matt
Matt
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Do you have a simple you could zip and email me?

jetkins
jetkins Question owner
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Matt said

Do you have a simple you could zip and email me?

On its way. Thanks!

jetkins
jetkins Question owner
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Updating here on behalf of Matt:

It is a bug, but according to jcrammer (something on a MIME GURU in the Thunderbird world) it is not in Thunderbird. Apparently if you have a multipart/alternative mime email the plain text part must be before the HTML. This email it is HTML first.

jetkins
jetkins Question owner
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Chosen Solution

For the sake of completeness, I researched the relevant RFC based on jcrammer's comment. It's RFC2046, which states in part,

As with "multipart/mixed", the order of body parts is significant. In this case, the alternatives appear in an order of increasing faithfulness to the original content. In general, the best choice is the LAST part of a type supported by the recipient system's local environment.

Now to go file a bug report with VMware. Thanks, Matt!