Here are some helpful hints for writing email that will be sent via the Winlink system. To reduce the likelihood of spam our email address is not posted here so these instructions are for those we have already given the address to. If you don't have an email address for us you can use dancyn@photosntravels.com and we will read it next time we make landfall where they have internet access. Just remember to be patient if you don't get a reply immediately.

The main thing to remember when sending us email is that our download speed is very slow so it is important to keep file sizes as small as possible. Top download speed is 3.2k compared to the 56k on a regular phone line. Below are ways to make sure you send the smallest email possible.

Make sure nothing is attached to the email. If you want to send us photos please use our other email addresses.
When replying to our emails do not include our original email in the reply. If your email software is set up to automatically include this please delete our original words before sending.
If you like to forward funny jokes, chain letters, ways to get money from Billy Gates, etc please make sure this address is not included in your mailing list.
If you use Microsoft email software that allows viruses to be propagated by sending themselves to everyone in your address book it is best to keep this address out of your address book and just use "Reply To" or add the address manually instead.
Set your email software to compose email as plain text, not as HTML or Rich Text Format. If you don't know how to do this for your software there is probably an explanation in the Help for that software.
Space takes up memory so to make the smallest file sizes possible it is best to keep them at a minimum by not double spacing after paragraphs and things like that.
There are a few other things to remember when sending us email using Winlink. Even though you are sending text, as far as the FCC is concerned you are speaking via the public airwaves. This means you are not supposed to use obscene words (whatever that means), send anything encrypted, or for business purposes. You should also remember that there is no privacy in this system and anything you write can be intercepted by others just like if you where speaking on the radio.  There are system ops guys who monitor this traffic so if you break the rules we can get in trouble.

Most important thing though is don't be intimidated by these guidelines because we always love to have new mail in our inbox. So write!!