Please take pity on me and answer this question.... (related to gif / jpg files)

I am new to news groups (and graphics software problems):

Could anyone tell me:

1.  the answer to the following question:

If I send a .jpg or a .gif file as an attachment, and the recipient can
not
open it, which software (or softwares) would enable them to open and read
the attachment?

OR

2.  which news group I should post this question in?

Thanks

davncat