[slimshady023]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know of a decent website for learning more about HTML-based emails? I am looking to create something in the same vein as the Apple Newsletters that are sent every week (aren't those great?!). I can create basic HTML-emails, but am unfamiliar with all the ins-and-outs. One specific aspect that I would like to know is how Apple creates alternate messages (without garbled HTML) for users with older email programs that don't view HTML.

Anyway, I have googled the internet through and through without luck thus far, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

- Slim

[philzilla]

here's a good place to start looking. you can find scripts like this, or this, so you can examine what's going on inside them, to see how they work.

or, just use them.

[slimshady023]

Philzilla, thank you for the wonderful links. Nothing is more intuitive than reading actual code to understand how everything operates, so this will definitely be of great assistance.

Best regards,

- Slim

[Dogma]

Strange how Mail.app reads and renders HTML mails like a pro, though it just will not allow you any way to create an HTML e-mail in it.

It has the rich text part - fine. But just try to make a professional newsletter type layout with images, or links or anything. Argh!

And just when I thought I had got rid of buggery old software...

[slimshady023]

Yeah, it is strange that HTML email sending wasn't implemented in Mail.app, but hopefully this feature will make it in the Panther release this fall.

The link from Philzilla was very helpful... I have also found an easy way to scrounge the source code, which some of you forum users may be interested to browse through. With your Apple Newsletter highlighted, you can choose to "Save As" (Raw Message Source). From there, you can see how Apple splits up their messages for plain text, aol, and html-rendered email clients.

Once you create this, does anyone have a good idea on how to send it? I am reading online about users needing MIME-enabled sending email services, and know nothing of this (I'm guessing Earthlink doesn't have this enabled by default). Are there any good Macintosh email programs for sending raw source? I have also read that some people use outside vendors to send their bulk HTML emails, so that their personal web address isn't blocked. If anyone has insight into this, it would be an extreme stress relief. As well, I will keep you informed of how things are going on my end, so that hopefully you guys will be able to create and send your own snazzy newsletters.

- Slim

[s_surfer]

One way to send HTML emails is to create the email in a web editor (e.g. Dreamweaver, GoLive) or code it by hand, and send it using Entourage. The trick is you first have to install an Applescript called "Send complex HTML X" Once the AppleScript is installed, create a new message (type set to HTML), fill in the address(es) and subject and then run the AppleScript from the menu. You will be prompted for the location of the HTML file. Select the file and send the email. You can find additional info here:

http://www.templatekit.com/article.php?art_id=44

I use this method all the time.

...Steve

Once you create this, does anyone have a good idea on how to send it? I am reading online about users needing MIME-enabled sending email services, and know nothing of this (I'm guessing Earthlink doesn't have this enabled by default). Are there any good Macintosh

- Slim [/B]

[slimshady023]

S_surfer, thanks for your reply, I did find that solution while searching macupdate.com. However, when sending the HTML document through Entourage and receiving the HTML document through Apple Mail, none of the HTML showed up for me.

One method that worked for Apple Mail, though not highly recommended, is simply attaching the HTML document. The email appears like an embedded document in Apple Mail, and looks like it's embedded in the newer email browsers. However, many other email clients will simply see an attachment.

I have not found a great native solution for OSX, but have found a promising website-based sender called MailChimp (www.mailchimp.com). It's a fee-based sending solution that allows you to send HTML newsletters for 1-2 cents per email. The advantages are that it is easy; you pre-pay the amount (their minimum is fifty dollars), and the emails you send are deducted from your overall total. As well, your ISP won't have the chance to get mad at you for sending out so many emails messages.
I signed up for the demo, and it worked nicely. I was skeptical, but was impressed. The HTML was embedded, and I could also specify an alternate message for those with older email clients. I could also import lists from excel, which was a time-saver. The downside is that you have to pay, of course.

I'm still searching for a native solution, and will keep all of you updated if I find one. Cheers!

- Slim

[andi*pandi]

that script worked a peach for me.

[deuce868]

If you write out your own online check out the PEAR mail package for php. It makes creating dynamic HTML emails pretty easy and will handle multi-part so that you can include both html and plan text versions.

[grovberg]

I recently was pointed to this page by all forces.

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/cssemail

I consider this to be the definitive guide to HTML email. He outlines exactly what does and does not work in a plethora of email clients including AOL and web based clients.

[iomatic]

Mark has a relatively new update on CSS in email
http://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/...ing_css_1.html

[andi*pandi]

have just spent inordinate amount of time redoing a html email using css and divs, no tables... then using the tricks above to try and make them work in various email clients... only to find out that my precious code is going to be saved down from a browser, opened in word, edited there, and emailed from there.

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

[Love Calm Quiet]

Ahhhh... but the value of the learning experience

[skalie]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

have just spent inordinate amount of time redoing a html email using css and divs, no tables... then using the tricks above to try and make them work in various email clients... only to find out that my precious code is going to be saved down from a browser, opened in word, edited there, and emailed from there.

Using Word's ever so handy "save as html" function?

[andi*pandi]

oh no no. They are saving it as a word template file and using the PC word feature of "send to" to send to outlook. It's been making my head hurt all day.

[mania]

you could use thunderbird for your html mails. pretty old school html but it works.