Re: Sending Emails vs. Links

From: Carmen Paulino <clpsf_at_sbcglobal.net>
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2005 09:10:50 -0600

Rob (Frankel) said: <<I guess it's true that it takes all kinds. I have my
mail set to kill incoming HTML newsletters, because they hog bandwidth, even
on big pipes - plus they're usually unsolicited.>>

And Kevin (Legault) said: <<I have to agree with Rob. I also have my email
set to disable HTML.>>

= = = =

One of my firm's developers asked that I post her clarifications of some
incorrect assumptions concerning the HtMail (aka HTML email) and Plain Mail
issues.

1. When you disable HTML email, you are not changing the effect of
bandwidth. Your email client does not know if the email contains HTML
formatting until AFTER it has been downloaded. An email's header does not
contain information on the format, so you have no choice but to download.

2. When you disable HTML email, you are actually reading the "MULTIPART
ALTERNATIVE" section of the email... if it is present. Some bad email
clients do not transmit this and then you end up seeing junk on the screen.
Remember that more than 80% of the email being transmitted is in HTML format
with a Multipart Alternative for reading plain text.

3. When you disable HTML email you do avoid downloading externally linked
items, such as stylesheets and images. Newer email clients don't download
these items unless you tell them to. The email consortium recommends that
people embed the images and external items in the email, which allows them
to be displayed without user interaction. This means that while you may not
be aware of it, you ultimately download these items even though you are
reading plain text.

4. In good practice, email recipients should always have the right to opt in
to the email format they prefer. While many people prefer plain text email,
there are many more these days who prefer HTML. Those are proponents (like
myself) of the opinion that a company that doesn't format its email into a
nice presentation (such as HTML allows), is not presenting itself in the
best light. Others are annoyed by HTML emails and should of course be
provided an opt-out opportunity, which is the best method to ensure they
don't download extra alternative information. Just "killing" HTML email does
not fulfill your goal of saving bandwidth.

5. Poor formatting of an HTML Email such as in the example of background
images (my screen is 1920 x 1200) is just that; poor design. It is not a
good example of why HTML Formatting is bad for business. Just as in your
website design, you should ensure that your presentation looks good in all
sorts of scenarios.

I hope this has been useful.

Regards,

Carmen

[Sorry, our website is unavailable at the moment]
Carmen Paulino
Xaphon Interactive Media





Received on Tue Mar 15 2005 - 09:10:50 CST