TrainsMag.com HTML e-mail newsletter format

[Bergie]

This evening (Monday, December 1, 2003), we're sending out our TrainsMag.com e-mail newsletter in HTML format. Once you receive it and have time to look it over, please let me know what you think of the format.

Thanks,
Erik

Please note: You will only receive the graphically-enhanced HTML newsletter version if the preferences on your computer are set to accept HTML e-mails. Otherwise, you will continue to receive out text version.

[Anonymous]

Love the new format. One suggestion -- make the most popular stories links, so those of us that may have missed the articles when they first apeared can click to read those that your readers voted most popular. For instance, I would really like to read the maglev story, but I can't since it is not a link. Most important -- the new format is great. Please keep up the good work.

Rick Batyko
216-615-7192

[Anonymous]

I love the new format-- much more readable than the text-based version. My only complaint is that in Yahoo mail it appears in a narrow right-aligned column on the screen instead of utilizing all the screen space available to it (I'm running in 1024x768 resolution). So there's a big gap in the center of the screen. It looks a bit weird.

[Anonymous]

The new format is great. It has already caused me to read more of the email then usual.

[Nora]

I like it too. The colored boxes break it up nicely and make it easier to find the items I'm interested in and skip over those I'm not, but it's not too graphics-intensive either. Definitely an improvement over the long text emails I got before!

--Nora

[Anonymous]

I like it. Very easy to read.

[STANLEE]

Newsletter is great. Will be looking forward to receiving it as much as your magazines. Keep up the good work.

Stan Chaya
Williamsport, Pa

[Dragonchief]

I prefer it. It looks more professional.

[Anonymous]

Love your new format. Keep up the good work.

[fuzzybroken]

I'm usually not a big fan of HTML e-mails, but this is one I actually like. Keep up the good work!!

-Mark Hintz
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken

[Anonymous]

The HTML format is a great improvement. It is much easier to follow than the text format.

[jharkin]

I really dislike it. All the text was 1.5 inches tall. Where do I go to turn off this "feature?" If I want HTML, I'll look at web pages. When I look at email, I want text, thanks.

(I'm using the latest version of Eudora on Mac OS 10.2.8 to view the message.)

[jharkin]

The "right" answer is to use MIME to attach both text and HTML versions of the newsletter. Then everyone has a choice.

[Anonymous]

For Eudora users the solution to view HTML mail is to go to the FILE menu and select "Open in Browser". Eudora will open the HTML mail with your favorite browser (you may need to locate your browser on your first attempt but you only need to do this once).

[JoeUmp]

I like the format. My only request is that you add back the link to the main newswire page. That way I don't have to use a round about route to find the page.

[Anonymous]

I am not a 'computer geek' and find the new format 'not in my best interest' - our local newspaper just went to a 'new format' and it is so hard to read that I cancelled my subscription. If you do this to Trains Magazine I'll cancel my subscription to it also. As for this format. Yuk.

[JTAllen]

Great job with the new format. It makes it a whole lot easier to see what is going on with the railroads

[Anonymous]

Ok, I posted the same thing on the other forum. Oh well.

But I LIKE IT!

[Anonymous]

Much easier to read.

[Anonymous]

Excellent Job. Love the New Colourful Format. Keep up the good work

[kehoesj]

A refreshing format, appreciate the improvement.

[Anonymous]

I like the new format. It is much easier to navigate and to read. I find that I read more of the stories than when they were presented in the plain text format.

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JoeUmp

I like the format. My only request is that you add back the link to the main newswire page. That way I don't have to use a round about route to find the page.

Will do, Joe.

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rbatyko

Love the new format. One suggestion -- make the most popular stories links, so those of us that may have missed the articles when they first apeared can click to read those that your readers voted most popular. For instance, I would really like to read the maglev story, but I can't since it is not a link. Most important -- the new format is great. Please keep up the good work.

Rick Batyko
216-615-7192

Hi Rick,

I'll be sure to provide such links in the future. In the meantime, here's the link the News Wire that includes the Japanese maglev story:
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/004/707dixqf.asp

Thanks for your feedback and welcome to the forums. I hope we see more posts from you in the future.

Erik

[Anonymous]

The best yet. The new format is much easier to read. Keep up the good work. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Life is a series of sucessive approximations. I think this is a good start, but another try is needed. The use of RED makes it easy to find the topics, but the menu line at the top is very difficult to read. I suggest using RED letters on a yellow background.

The basic format is a two column presentation, but the second column is not obvious. This is the problem with many of the Web presentations. So many use the shotgun approach which results in a lot of unrelated information thrown together that the mind must sort out. The mind must translate the second column as a separate subject matter. A verticle division line would make it much quicker to grasp.

You are on the right TRACK, but the roadbed needs some imporvements for high speed operation.

I have exceeded the 100 character limit, but this limitation prevents you from constructive responses.

Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

[Anonymous]

I like the new format. Much easier to read and scan.

-Tom

[Anonymous]

Welcome surprise. Looks great.

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JoeUmp

I like the format. My only request is that you add back the link to the main newswire page. That way I don't have to use a round about route to find the page.

There's a News Wire link at the top center of the email. Might be easy to miss among all the other stuff, but it's definitely there.

[Anonymous]

The new format doesn't do much for me. Some of your text must be in light colours. I amd colour blind and light colours afford little or no contrast making items totally dissappear. Example the head lines for the History Channel DVDs and the Rail Europe article are a wash.