Saving vs. opening files

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How do I set up my iMac to open files instead of saving them? In other words I'm asking to read an attachment but instead it asks me where I want to save it? (90% of the time its PDF files in question, but sometimes word docs).

Tks
 
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Where do you get the (PDF) files in question from? I mean, is it like you connect an external hard-disk and want to read but not save the files, or is it in an email?
Maybe I could help you, this problem sounds familiar to me, but if you're talking about the Mail application from Apple I can already say "sorry". I stopped using it a while ago because of having trouble with attachements.
 
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Where do you get the (PDF) files in question from? I mean, is it like you connect an external hard-disk and want to read but not save the files, or is it in an email?
Maybe I could help you, this problem sounds familiar to me, but if you're talking about the Mail application from Apple I can already say "sorry". I stopped using it a while ago because of having trouble with attachments.
I don't use the Apple e-mail program, instead use Thunderbird. It is not from an external disk, but usually from websites - only those I trust.
 
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I don't use the Apple e-mail program, instead use Thunderbird. It is not from an external disk, but usually from websites - only those I trust.

I could be wrong here; but as far as I know if you click on an attachement on a website it does automatically just offer a "save as" option (and some others, irrelevant for now). But never heard of a way to take a "quick look"...
 
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I am not using Thunderbird at the moment but you can specify what applications open up different attachment types in | Preferences | Attachment
 
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I am not using Thunderbird at the moment but you can specify what applications open up different attachment types in | Preferences | Attachment
The only "preferences" I can see are the System Preferences and there is no tab for Attachment" in System Preferences that I can see.
 
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In Thunderbird

Menu bar | THunderbird | Preferences | Attachment
 
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I have the same problem

When I go to open a PDF file I am always asked to "Save As" the file somewhere. I just want to open and read it, not save it to the Desktop, then open it, read it, and then have to put it in the trash later. Its **** annoying, especially if you go back to open the same file a week later. It happens when on the internet in Firefox or when I get pdf files through my Thunderbird e-mail. I have tried all the different Preferences but to no avail. Is there an answer to this or do I have to keep saving?
 
C

chas_m

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I don't know anything about Thunderbird, but in Mac Mail you just select the attachment and hit the space bar for Quick Look. Easy peasy.
 

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