NMS - Formatting so it looks nice on arrival?

[herbshirt]

I'm trying to achieve a nicely formatted html message with images and formatted text. Is this possible?

I've read everything I can find on NMS and cannot find the answer. I'm obviously missing something obvious. 

I've tried quite a few combinations:
* took the default message html (using the none (html message) option as a template) plopped it into d/w adding appropriate HTML tags (html,head,body,etc). then updated the html in the message and sent that but it appeared at the other end as plain text.
* copied the template i'm using for the site, created a new one and replaced {content} with {$text_message}. The mail arrived but no css formatting. (should I use an absolute path to my css somehow?)
* Tried different html tags like etc.

I guess I have a few more things to try but there must be an easier way that I'm just not seeing. I'd untimately like to replace my current system and use nms for all bulk emails. Is this wise?

Thanks,
Herb.

[calguy1000]

Sending HTML Emails is a science unto itself, and teaching that is beyond the scope of NMS.  I suggest you do some googling of the science of sending html messages.  Here's a site I found quickly, that seems to have the valid information but you may still want to search for more:  http://www.anandgraves.com/html-email-guide

Also, NMS currently does not support embedded images, or file attachments, or multipart emails.

[herbshirt]

Really??!! Damn.

Just about to launch my own site using CMS MS and NMS was the one I was really looking forward to using! But sending plain text emails makes it very... un-exciting.

Thanks again.

[calguy1000]

NMS 1.0.2 supports HTML emails, just not embedding/attaching images
or multi-part (text+html) messages.

The new version will...

However, 'how to format a message so it looks pretty' will not be something I support, it'll require you to test and read things. 

Sorry to say, and no offense to you, but it's because of the general 'inexperience' people have with sending html emails and bulk emails that I feel reluctant to release a module like this to the public.

I don't want the 'all my hosts domains were blacklisted', or 'all my emails are received as junk' or 'I'm out thousands of dollars because of over-bandwidth fines' or anything remotely related to this stuff appearing here or in my inbox.

[herbshirt]

No problem. Totally understand.

Reading your suggested URL on the topic right now.

[herbshirt]

FYI: Using dreamweaver to format, inserting the html into nms, I tried for ages to get it to format to no avail.

Googled the topic, followed instructions, I can insert an image and that's about it. Has anyone else had any luck?

I'm starting to think WP might have been a better option for my particular application. (It has a fully formattable newsletter module available for purchase)

[calguy1000]

NMS 2.0 is in testing... it's fully template controlled, supports multiple content areas, embedded images, blah blah blah...

if you want, I can send you a sample email... just PM me an email address.

[streever]

as a web developer focused on sites that make money/generate conversions:

html email sucks!

I know all the pros talk about it and bill too much to do it

but seriously, most people are either in webmail or outlook, neither of which handles rich image email well

I say send plain text, and link to the "latest copy with pictures etc" on your website.