Problem with HTML <a> tag

[Ken Lee]

I notice this with messages migrated from the old site, and with messages that are created new here.

In HTML, you can add something to the <a> tag so that when the user clicks on the link, a new browser will be opened. Apparently, the new software doesn't recognize it. Perhaps it is non-standard HTML... dunno.

For example <a href="http://www.apple.com" target="_blank">This link</a> should allow you to visit the Apple web site, but something is parsing it and presenting it as plain text.

Is HTML forbidden, except as added by the editor in which we type these messages ?

[Tom Westbrook]

Yes, no HTML here. You can use the vbcode deal, though for equivalent functionality. See the 'vb Code' link in the Posting rules box at the bottom right of where you enter posts. It has some helpful info.

Or go here.

[Ralph Barker]

Yes, HTML is turned off because it causes other problems within the software. Fully qualified URLs should be converted to clickable links automagically by the software, however. Most other common formatting tags are available in the "standard" editor. When that's not sufficient, as with tables and such, an attachment should work.