I'm pretty sure this isn't possible because it requires javascript but I'm curious if it is possible to put a flash banner inside an email. If that doesn't work, what about an animated gif. That should work right?
- Doing this will make sure your emails get deleted immediately.
2 answers
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Animated GIFs don't require Javascript. Yes, you can have them in an email (e.g., if using HTML email). I wouldn't know about Flash banners, but I tend to think any reasonable email client would prevent them from showing.
Your best bet with the GIF is to send it as an attachment, not a link, because nearly all email clients will leave the image off (not download it) if it's linked externally (e.g., via <img src=...>), for security and privacy reasons. (Images were used in this way to track when and whether people opened the email, some years back.) Of course, as an attachment, it's going to be shown at the bottom or similar.
- Although you can add the images inline (just like you would with normal HTML - just make sure to use an absolute `src` like `http://example.com/images/myanimated.gif`), I'd strongly recommend using as few as possible, and plan to have the images blocked by default. I'm not sure if Flash is possible (you actually don't need JS to embed it, it's just made easier when you have access to it), but chances are good that it'll either get stripped out or blocked (and on top of that, your users would likely not appreciate the experience).
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Not only can you add a GIF to an eMail, but if necessary, you can generate the image on the fly and have it inserted in an email. The method I'm referring to has been available for years using CDOSYS. You can generate an eMail from a web page and in the process have all of the images inserted in the eMail. This method is also available through .NET using System.Net.Mail - See http://www.systemnetmail.com/default.aspx for the full writeup.
