Sending a file as a link and/or as an attachment

Abstract

A desktop application program provides a single entry point for indicating that a file is to be sent to a recipient. In response to an indication that the file is to be sent, a determination is automatically made as to whether the file should be sent as a link, as an attachment, or as both a link and an attachment. If the file has not been saved to a disk location or if the file has not been saved to a shared disk location, the file is sent as an attachment to an e-mail note. If the file has been saved to a shared disk location, the file is sent to the recipient as a link in an e-mail note. In order to determine if the file saved to the shared disk location should also be sent as an attachment, a registry is checked for a send preference regarding shared files. If a send preference indicates that shared files are to be sent as attachments, the file is sent as both a link and an attachment. If a send preference indicates that shared files are not to be sent as attachment, the file is sent only as a link. If the sender has not previously indicated a send preference, the sender may be prompted to input a signal indicating whether the file is to be sent as an attachment. A send preference may be created in response to the signal, if the sender so desires.