Underscore in Email Addresses

[dthomsen8]

I have a situation where the email address has an underscore in it, as shown in the attachment. This makes it hard for the user to tell that the underscore is there, unless I use styling to remove the email underscore. What do forum members suggest?

[Kelvyn]

I'd just remove the text decoration (underline). Perhaps also put Email: before the link as an aid to clueless site visitors?

[CarlSeiler]

Originally Posted by dthomsen8

I have a situation where the email address has an underscore in it, as shown in the attachment. This makes it hard for the user to tell that the underscore is there, unless I use styling to remove the email underscore. What do forum members suggest?

My suggestion is to not use underscore in the styling for links, but use other common clues that it's a link such as color, bold, email, etc. Also, another alternative is not to have the email address as the link. Instead have "Email Us" or "Email Bill" or some such. This is assuming it's the only email on the page.

[Richard Waller]

Spammers are very active. Havinbg an Email address on the website is a good way to attarct the wretched people to try and sell you viagra. Why not use a form.

Mind you, this is not the complete answer. I went to forms, and also changed my Email address, and now the number of spams is growing again. No I don't use a spam filter, I was losing too much good stuff.

[Kelvyn]

Originally Posted by Richard Waller

Mind you, this is not the complete answer. I went to forms, and also changed my Email address, and now the number of spams is growing again.

Unfortunately all it seems to need for spammers to find you is for a PC with your email address in it somewhere to get a worm - and your email address is sent straight to spam lists.

[Bo Aakerstrom]

Originally Posted by dthomsen8

I have a situation where the email address has an underscore in it, as shown in the attachment. This makes it hard for the user to tell that the underscore is there, unless I use styling to remove the email underscore. What do forum members suggest?

I'm not a fan of using underscore on links myself and agree with what's already been said. If you use a colour for links (and underscore on hover) throughout the site it becomes quite obvious for the user after a while.

Another alternative is to use a static image with the alt text "email us".

[johnvarenda]

Yes you are exactly correct because it is very difficult for others to view or understand.....
...........
http://www.e-datapro.net/

Originally Posted by dthomsen8

I have a situation where the email address has an underscore in it, as shown in the attachment. This makes it hard for the user to tell that the underscore is there, unless I use styling to remove the email underscore. What do forum members suggest?

[Benwiggy]

To avoid the problem, I'd use an image of an envelope, rather than the address itself.

There's an old trick of using JavaScript to split up your email into parts, and then assemble it when the page is generated. That way, there is no recognisable email text for spambots to trawl.
I use a graphic of the email text for people who have JavaScript disabled.

<script type="text/javascript">
<!-- 
// 
emailE='mydomain.com'
emailE=('mail' + '@' + emailE)
document.write('<A href="mailto:' + emailE + '">Email Us</a>')
 //-->
</script>

<noscript>
     <img src='images/email2.png' title='JavaScript required for active email link' width="148" height="18" border="0">
</noscript>