Sent by Veine K Vikberg on 28 February 2003 15:03
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Martyn;
<snip>
>Dear list,
>I've done a google search on this, but unfortunately haven't turned up
>anything.
>Has anyone got any experience of using CSS within HTML emails? If so, are
>there any restrictions. That is, should you not use CSS for layout, should
>you use inline styles, or are there any specific issues surrounding mail
>clients/applications?
>If anyone knows of any sites I can visit please let me know.
>Many thanks,
>Mart
</snip>
I have done a lot of HTML email's, and I just got permission to show you
one of them. But first, there are a few things about HTML email's that you
should know. First, always use tables, as it is so many different email
clients out there, and they are not as sophisticated as the browsers, they
just can't handle anything else (and look good), secondly no css
positioning within the table, maybe what I am trying to say is, keep to old
standards, (ie HTML 4.0 transitional or older).
As for the css, a few clients can't import a style sheet from a remote url
and implement it correctly. I have all my css is the email sent out, on the
topic of CSS, try to stay away from CSS 2 as some of them will not work.
CSS 1 is just fine to use in most. Also, always include on top something
with a url to where you have the email news letter posted, as it is a good
measure (people can have html email turned off, checking using pine etc
etc) as older AOL has problem. AOL 6 and up is usually fine with it, and
from AOL 8 and up it seems to be going the right way (Gecko engine? :o)
<maybe>)
Also, think of the design to not be fluid (ie cover the screen in any/all
resolutions) I have set my table to be 550 wide as it will accommodate all
email browsers. IF you set it fluid you will have problems with
Yahoo/Hotmail accounts as it will overlap in the view of the mail (MS
figured that out themselves after sending out one of their newsletters that
messed up Hotmail completely ;o)
This is one example of my work, that works crossbrowser / and (fingers
crossed) cross email client (with a few anomalities known in web mail browsers)
http://mainemaritime.edu/newsletters/june2002.html
HTH
~Veine
Veine K Vikberg
http://www.vikberg.net
Professional Web Guru
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