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T-Bird: In compose text mode, an auto-edit gremlin deletes multiple blank-spaces, and inserts hard-returns.

  • 9 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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ThunderBird 38.5.0 on MS-XPSP3

In compose text mode, an auto-edit gremlin deletes multiple blank-spaces (collapsing tables & outlines to the left), and randomly inserts hard-returns (on fwd to create new msg).

I got burned by the auto-edit gremlin when submitting a letter-to-editor. Did not notice until reviewing a subsequently printed copy. Why not a pure-text (when I type two-spaces, I want two-spaces!) operation protocol?

Cannot find any switch to off/delete auto-edit. Programmer deciding what I want? Presumptive! You haven't got sufficient experience.

ThunderBird 38.5.0 on MS-XPSP3 In compose text mode, an auto-edit gremlin deletes multiple blank-spaces (collapsing tables & outlines to the left), and randomly inserts hard-returns (on fwd to create new msg). I got burned by the auto-edit gremlin when submitting a letter-to-editor. Did not notice until reviewing a subsequently printed copy. Why not a pure-text (when I type two-spaces, I want two-spaces!) operation protocol? Cannot find any switch to off/delete auto-edit. Programmer deciding what I want? Presumptive! You haven't got sufficient experience.

All Replies (9)

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So you used insert table to insert a table, or did you try and create one using the spacebar. It simply does not work. Never has in Thunderbird or any word processor I have ever used, not since they migrated from DOS to windows anyway. It is all about the proportional fonts that modern graphical user interfaces use. Fixed width courier fonts can manage it. But that is about all.

I have seen beautifully formatted word documents turn into a lopsided mess as soon as you change the printer to be used to print (you can not expect your recipient to have the same printer as you.)

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I created the table manually using the space-bar to space. Nothing fancy, just plain text all around (such as it is in non-HTML compose-option in T-Bird).

What secret-gremlin is operating to REMOVE text (deleting spaces)? What should fixed- vs proportional-width fonts have to do with auto-editing? The auto-editing is occurring without regard to the printer/printing.

Separate Problem: Hard-returns (line-feeds) are randomly inserted when saving/editing/printing sequence. The soft-return/hard-return logic in fitting lines to page-width is corrupted.

Seems to me that the creators of this stuff have not fully thought things through. Has computerization focused so much on the FANCY that it will no longer do the SIMPLE?

Maybe the source of many problems and anomalies is WINDOWS, the Redmond Virus! Windows seems to be focused on windows, not delivering consistent/reliable/versatile capability.

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So, who will remove the auto-edit gremlins from (non-HTML) Mozilla ThunderBird?

 1) deletes blank-spaces beyond one;
 2) random insertion of hard-returns in text.
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I did this in plain text Write window.

  • used 'tab' to indent
  • Typed two words as a column header.
  • used 'tab' to create space
  • Typed two words as a column header.
  • used 'tab' to create space
  • Typed two words as a column header.
  • Press Return to get new line
  • used 'tab' to create space and get inline with column header.
  • typed a single word
  • used 'space bar' several times to get to end of hyperthetical column - inline with last letter of 'column header' eg: 'word column' in image.
  • used 'tab' to get inline with second column.
  • typed a number
  • used 'space' several times to get to end of hyperthetical column - inline with last letter of 'column header'.

repeat again as above

  • Press Return to get new line

repeat to add another line of info.

Saved as a Draft. Exited Write window.

Selected the draft and all looks good. clicked on 'Edit' to open again and all still looks good.

Added the send detals and sent. Email received and still looks like the original.

The trick is to use the 'tab' key to space the columns. See image showing received email of test.

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Thanks for your response, but that's a KLUGE - Unacceptable!

The original problem still exists: In compose text mode, an auto-edit gremlin deletes multiple blank-spaces (collapsing tables & outlines to the left), and randomly inserts hard-returns (on fwd to create new msg).

The problem with programming computers and debugging computer programs is they do only what you tell them to do, no more, no less. The trick is to determine what you told it to do, not what you think you told it to do.

This gremlin is a BUG and needs to be expunged!

What's this auto-reload on the webpage while entering text? Another bug?

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I would argue that a gremlin tidies up some particularly ugly text. But you are welcome to file a bug report about the issue. Bugzilla is the place for that.

See https://bugzilla.mozilla.org

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The answer works in Plain Text mode when creating an email. I know the answer does imply that you are doing it wrong and perhaps that offends, but I was under the impression you needed to know how to get alignment to work in plain text email when not using html css or tables.

I'm not saying I disagree or agree with you regarding the 'space bar' issue, but advise even when using Word Processing programs mentions 'One of the most common word-processing mistakes is using spaces to align text. Using tabs ensures that your text is aligned.'

Tab is commonly used in other text editor programs such as Notepad to produce the same correct align effect when not using tables.

So using Tab is not illogical.

If you were using html then css options for margins, padding or use of tables etc are available, but you are not using html.

The following may explain what is going on regarding the multiple use of 'space'. Thunderbird will wrap plain text emails as well as send them in flowed format as for general use this is the most prefered format option. What the format=flowed does when composing mails is to space stuff some lines and add a space to the end of some others as well as stripping trailing spaces from a line. For general reading thismakes more sense and improves the readibility. However, it will not suit all cases where this is not required. So, it could depend upon whether flowed-format is being used or not and whether the creator or recipient is using monospacing font or not. Note not everyone has an identical setup.


You could try altering your setup so you are not sending nor reading using flowed format. Menu icon > Options > Advanced > 'General' tab click on 'Config Editor' in top search type: flowed

  • 'mailnews.send_plaintext_flowed' - set Value as 'False'
  • 'mailnews.display.disable_format_flowed_support' - set Value as 'True'

Optional: You may also prefer to disable wrap.

  • 'plain_text.wrap_long_lines' - set Value as 'False'

You can also force your composing to not wrap in a window if this is what you prefer, instead you get a scrollbar.

  • 'mail.compose.wrap_to_window_width' - set Value as 'False'
  • Close window - top right X
  • click on 'OK'

This should not effect any currently opened 'Write' windows, only subsequently opened Write windows.

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Matt's response verifies my main complaint: "I would argue that a gremlin tidies up some particularly ugly text. But you are welcome to file a bug report about the issue. Bugzilla is the place for that."

Who says ugly? And to whose standard? If someone wants to write "ugly" text, so be it! And who's the all-knowing expert on everything?

To Toad-Hall's response: Not all email users are writing in "desk-top publishing" mode. Some people just want to write plain-text, and not have it edited by some all-knowing guru.

To illustrate the random hard-returns - take Toad-Hall's message, set text-mode (non-HTML) composition, and forward the message. See the extraneous HRs.

I take Matt's suggestion - Bugzilla! Lots of bugs!

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You are free to use any suggestion, but at least my suggestion will get the result you desire at this point in time.

This does not effect the fact that a bug report is something you can do to bring this to the attention of those who fix bugs.