[Fmpro] Link, another try

[chris@alpiar.com]

well that is a very deep question actually. Advertisers that send email that look like web pages are sending mail in HTML format, or more likely multi-mime format (which attaches plain text and html versions of their ad together). many people only get and send email in plain text and many get and recieve in html format, and every email client out there reacts differently to various html related techonology (CSS, javascript, etc) and writing a really good email that works on most email clients is very difficult and there are folks that specialize in just that as their main focus in life. That being said the FMPRO mail list strips all HTML and sends all messages to its members in plain text format. I am sure Mark Holden does that for bandwidth reasons as plain text is remarkably smaller sized files. So even tho you might create your email with a cool modern email client that gives you options to embed pictures and cool fonts and colors and stuff, once it hits FMPRO server all that is stripped down to the text. As well as many peoples email clients. Especially people using dial up or using email with limited storage space they will opt for text only email. 

It is growing less and less that folks use dial up or are limited on email storage and most folks are capable of seeing html in their email, but FMPRO list I would imagine as it is a free service will always remain text only.

As for pro advertisers links, they will use a redirect system, mostly for tracking so they know who clicked what, and so a link going to 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071591583/ref=amb_link_6595252_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_r=1SQXZCD20EVT0MDW4VMQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=379327401&pf_rd_i=507846

might very well inside the email go to http://www.emailAdServer.com/?click=1982391827391823

and that number is just a code telling their server HEY James Ryan clicked the fourth link in the amazon book sale email campaign and ok lets forward him on now to amazon to see the book. Indeed pro advertisers also do it to keep their URL's short so that people on a PDA or a cell phone will get the link they want them to get and not some broken mumbo jumbo ;)

Hope that is info you were looking for

Best,

Chris

Christopher Kennedy Alpiar
Cinematic Composer
http://www.alpiar.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: James Ryan [mailto:jeryan at optonline.net]
Sent: Friday, April 4, 2008 04:35 PM
To: fmpro at nxport.com
Subject: Re: [Fmpro] Link, another try

Hi Chris, Fair enough. That being said, I'm curious how pro advertisers do it? They send emails that look like web pages with product pictures and multiple embedded links (e.g. Apple, MacMall, iTunes) , and though I don't have one handy to decode, I'm guessing the links are very long (they have thousands of products), just as they would be when you click on a link on their website. Interestingly, the brackets have worked for me on other forums for very long links, though I will admit that this could just be luck. I will pass this on to my techie friend and ask him where he got his info. Thanks, J