[FX.php List] [OFF] How to create a web bug

[Jonathan Schwartz]

Thanks Alex and Bob,

You've confirmed my suspicions about web bugs.

I can easily handle responses if they click the link.  However, we 
just have to guess that non-response equates to either approval, 
indifference or non-receipt of email.

Their loss. ;-)

J


At 10:02 AM -0600 12/13/07, Alex Gates wrote:
>A agree with Bob -
>I think the headache with spam blockers will outweigh the possible benefits.
>Perhaps you could add a link to change information and also another 
>link that users could click on to indicate their information is 
>still current.
>
>
>Bob Patin wrote:
>>I'd avoid that... that's how a lot of spammers work, and I'm 
>>wondering whether your emails might get flagged because they're 
>>sending something back.
>>
>>I think that the easiest method would be to put a confirm link in 
>>the email itself.
>>
>>http://domain.com/confirm.php&r=123
>>
>>You could put the id# in the email by generating emails from 
>>FileMaker, and then when they click the link it'd write to the 
>>database and perhaps create a log file showing who read the email, 
>>and when.
>>
>>Just an idea,
>>
>>Bob Patin
>>Longterm Solutions
>>bob at longtermsolutions.com
>>615-333-6858
>>http://www.longtermsolutions.com
>>Member of FileMaker Business Alliance and FileMaker TechNet
>>
>>   CONTACT US VIA INSTANT MESSAGING:
>>      AIM or iChat: longterm1954
>>      Yahoo: longterm_solutions
>>      MSN: tech at longtermsolutions.com
>>      ICQ: 159333060
>>
>>--------------------------
>>Contact us for FileMaker hosting and programming for all versions 
>>of FileMaker
>>PHP * CDML * Full email services * Free DNS hosting * Colocation * Consulting
>>
>>On Dec 13, 2007, at 9:03 AM, Jonathan Schwartz wrote:
>>
>>>Hi Folks,
>>>
>>>I'm about to launch a project that starts with an outbound email 
>>>requesting registrants to update their information.  The email 
>>>contains a personalized link that automatically logs the use in to 
>>>the web site.
>>>
>>>Experience shows, however, that many folks don't bother to respond 
>>>because their information has not changed.  In this case, we get 
>>>no response...and don't know whether the person has received the 
>>>email or not.
>>>
>>>Is there an easy way to incorporate a "web bug" that essentially 
>>>contacts a web server (fx.php?) to confirm that the email has been 
>>>viewed?  I know that this applies only to html mail...but it's 
>>>better than nothing.
>>>
>>>I'm also aware that there might be downsides to using a web bug.
>>>
>>>Anyone have experience in this area?
>>>
>>>Thx
>>>
>>>Jonathan
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>Jonathan Schwartz
>>>Exit 445 Group
>>>jonathan at exit445.com
>>>http://www.exit445.com
>>>415-381-1852
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>>>FX.php_List mailing list
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>>
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-- 
Jonathan Schwartz
Exit 445 Group
jonathan at exit445.com
http://www.exit445.com
415-381-1852