Jonathan Leffler: You've mis-characterized the problem. UTF-8 doesn't have the quirk -- MS operating systems have the quirk. See: http://unicode.org/faq/utf_bom.html#BOM [Julian] well - the way I read that FAQ BOMs are explicitly mentioned and allowed, which is why we couldn't beat our supplier up over it and had to code around it. But I think everyone who has so far commented is in agreement that if we use UTF-8 we should "Ban the BOM" (sorry). Julian http://www.bbc.co.uk/ This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note that the BBC monitors e-mails sent or received. Further communication will signify your consent to this.