Some Thunderbird attachments don't start application

[Jim]

On 12/18/2009 08:07 AM, Antonio M wrote:
> 2009/12/18 Tim<ignored_mailbox at yahoo.com.au>:
>    
>> On Fri, 2009-12-18 at 11:50 +0100, Antonio M wrote:
>>      
>>> I got an attachment (Microsoft Office doc) but I didn't get the option
>>> of F11 to open it with Openoffice or any other application, there is
>>> no open with option, same attachment open  fine in F12, starting
>>> Openoffice writer!!!
>>>        
>> Chances are that whoever sent you that file sent it with the wrong MIME
>> type descriptor.  The sending client describes the type of file, and the
>> receiving client passes that file off to the default application for
>> that type of file.  If the *type* is not correctly outlined, then the
>> whole system fails to work.
>>
>> Most likely, it was described as application/octet-stream which means
>> "this is some unknown kind of binary file, figure out how to handle this
>> by yourself."  If you try to set up your system to believe that all such
>> unidentified files are word documents, by default, then you're setting
>> yourself up for failure with the next NON word document that's sent with
>> the *unknown* *binary* file type description.
>>
>> --
>> [tim at localhost ~]$ uname -r
>> 2.6.27.25-78.2.56.fc9.i686
>>
>>
>>      
> tnx for the great explanation, Tim.....I don't understand why same
> attachment starts openoffice in F12 (two boxes) , that are both
> standard installation.
> What is different???
>
>
>    
I have the same problem with playing .wmv files in Thunderbird . the 
/edit/pref./attachments has VLC set to play .wmv files, but some .wmv 
files won't play, it wants me to "Save" them.

I think it has to do with Mime Types.
I get this one person that has a XP computer sends me .jpg pictures and 
I can never see them, unless I save them.
The Content Type is set to something different than a .jpg content and 
Thunderbird doesn't understand that Content Type.