RELIABLY embeded graphics in emails

[DaveC426913]

Looking for some direction/wisdom on sending pictures in emails to clients.

I want to send a picture (jpg/gif) in an email (it’s a map to our new digs, so no viable text-equivalent) so that it opens up *directly* in the email, not as an attachment.

(Set aside for the moment the obvious question: Why force it on users? Why not just make it an attachment with accompanying descriptive text in the email, and give them a choice?)

I know that there are issues wherein the viewer is able to control how images/attachments are processed, and that’s what I’m looking for.

Is it *possible* to create an email such that a graphic is directly embedded and reliably viewed?
What are the details about how this embedded viewing gets turned on/off, or does not work in certain situations (eg Outlook settings, other mail apps)?
Are there details of who normally has this set up and who doesn't?
I’m sure this is not an uncommon need. What is the general way of handling it? If not reliable, what’s the next best?
What is this called so I can go researching it? Email embedded graphics?

Thanks.

Dave

 

[coakerb]

I have made a graphic tutorial they may be of help go here:

http://home.iprimus.com.au/bazcaz/Insertpicture.htm

 

[DaveC426913]

Thank you, I'll read through it.

However, while that answers how to send it, I'm still in the dark as to the other end.

What are the ramifications involved in users seeing it that way? Can I be guaranteed that users will see it embedded?

One exception I can think of off the top of my head is viewing it through web mail. Users viewing it that way won't see it embedded, will they? I am OK with that one, but I want to know about other circumstances. Is it possible to turn this feature off (at the receiving end) in Outlook or Outlook Express for example?

 

[jpm121]

Dave, there's no way to guarantee that end users will have the picture popped up for them. I think Eudora and Pocomail, for example, explicitly refuse to display embedded images for security sake. Newer versions of Outlook may or may not show it by default, but quite honestly, as a recipient, it's THEIR choice how to handle incoming mail.

Send it as HTML with the picture how you want it, and figure that the majority will see the picture.

 

[DaveC426913]

Thank you, that's what I'm looking to hear.

It's a corporate send out, so if we can't guarantee that virtually all our clients will see it properly, we don't want to risk sending them something that's broken.

I need to be able to justify my answer. I was hoping for concrete answers (most corps use Outlook. But of that, many will not have embedded enabled, etc. etc.)

I can probably be sure they're all using some version of Outlook, but as you say, that feature can be turned on and off.