HTML VS Plain Text

HTML messages are a great way of sending great content.  Our newsletter is generally sent out in HTML format along with a plain text message.  Some of our members do not have computers at home and can only view email on their work computers. 

With HTML, you can view graphical messages that have functionality such as links to other web sites or Forum posts.   There is a down side to sending HTML messages.  Sometimes they will not look the same when it reaches your computer compared to what it looked like when it was created and sent.  Accepting HTML messages opens you up to viruses, reporting cookies and bad stuff. 

However, any HTML email that comes from us, especially the newsletter will have been formatted using Aweber’s system.  You do not have to worry about viruses or cookies etc. because the email will have originated with our chapter. 

This is the very reason that you should not open up any email from anyone whom you do not recognize!  You know in what format our newsletter is published and what is contained in the subject line or “from” area so you will recognize it is from us.  If an email seems suspicious and you do not recognize it, do not open it, delete it.  The other option you have is to read your email in a n “offline” status.  With a word of caution though, if you merely open a malicious email, you can get a virus that not even your virus protection can detect.

I say all this because you need to be aware of these things since we rely heavily on email correspondence.  We will never send a malicious code or cookie with any mailing we initiate to you.  The newsletter is a way to keep in touch with the weeks happenings if you were not able to attend an event, ride, or meeting etc.  It is however, very tedious work trying to compile stories or important subject matter to pass along. 

With plain text, you get what you get… Plain text, no functionality.

We want all of our members to be able to read our weekly newsletter so in addition to HTML format, it is sent out in plain text format as well.  (Sometimes)  Most messages are sent in only HTML format and they are converted by the system you are using to view the message at that time and it may appear as gobbledy gook!

Doing it this way however, results in a very ugly message that is not very functional at all.  If two separate message are created, you will receive the message that is properly formatted for your system. 

The only problem is…  It is more time consuming to create two separate messages to send if only a couple of our members can only view plain text messages.  So please post a comment here and let us know if you need to continue to have the messages sent out in both formats or if you need it sent out in just plain text.  We understand that there are restrictions on using employers computers and what you can receive is limited but we need to know so our efforts are not going to waste.     

Respond by clicking on the comments link above this post.  Thanks in advance!