Since I posted I realized how convenient it is to use my email program as a text editor. I have 2 windows open on this desktop. This compose window, and my inbox. I have always on cable internet and NS set to check mail every 10 minutes. Thus, with all the time I spend writing answers here and elsewhere, I can quickly see when I have an email. Most of my emails relate to the life I have outside the net and often take priority. When I finish my answer, I click on the desktop where I have Konquerpor open and paste it into the box with one middle click.
Of course I doubt emoticons etc. are available for NS 4.8, but I don't miss them. The one feature I haven't found with it is ''Undisclosed Recipients'' Everybody else doesn't all the addresses of everybody I send everything. I have told people not to forward me things if they can't do it without sharing my address with 100 strangers. I make do with bcc, a kludge I think was available in 1992 when I was using Mikeyterm to access Delphi at 300 baud. NS requires at least 1 to, so I often send things to myself and bcc everyone else.