a system and method of distributing a file by email is described : receiving a first email in a server , wherein the first email includes a first attachment ; storing the first attachment on the server ; converting the first attachment to create a converted attachment ; outputting the first email to an addressee , wherein the first email includes the converted attachment and further wherein the first email is received in a client comprising the addressee ; receiving a forward email message in the server from the addressee , the forward email message containing the converted attachment and a forward addressee ; identifying the first attachment in response to receiving the forward email message , wherein identifying the first attachment comprises using an attachment identifier to identify the first attachment from a plurality of stored attachments , wherein the attachment identifier includes the converted attachment ; attaching the first attachment to the forward email message ; and forwarding the forward email with the first attachment to the forward addressee .