Becuase some browsers and mail clients don't follow the RFC. The RFC clearly states that "When a mail reader encounters mail with an unknown Content-type value, it should generally treat it as equivalent to 'application/octet-stream'" (SECTION 4 last paragraph - page 12) So my suggestion should actually translate into "application/octet-stream". However, I've noted that where many browsers do all sorts of strange, interesting, and usually unexepcted things when it parses application/octet-stream, they'll usually do exactly what you want if you confuse them with a type that they've certainly never heard of.
Issac ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Hukins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Issac Goldstand" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "Dennis Daupert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 12:27 PM Subject: Re: How do I force a 'Save Window?' > On Wed, Nov 20, 2002 at 11:24:33AM +0200, Issac Goldstand wrote: > > To force the save window is easy - make up your own content subtype (main > > type application) and set it: > > > > Content-Type: application/x-download-this-file-you-stupid-browser > > > > Remember to start with an "x-" as your type is obviously not registered with > > the IANA. > > Why not use the "application/octet-stream" MIME type as recommended in > RFC 1521? > > Tom >
