emails signatures with .gifs don't always arrive

[Sterling]

My email signature has a .gif inserted and most of my clients receive my
emails without a problem, but not all of them. Do you know what the problem
is? I've tried switching the insert to a .jpg but it doesn't seem to matter.
I don't get a message saying it failed; just unhappy client emailing to tell
me he never recieved something. Is there a way around this? Has anyone else
experienced this? I hate to get rid of the branded email, and don't know why
no one else seems to have the problem.

Also, sometimes in addition to my embeded signature, clients recieve an
attachment of it which is frustrating them. Is there a way around this, too?

 

[The Marker]

Some programs handle this picture as potential spam or as a security issue.
jpg and gif can contain malicious code.

 

[Sterling]

That is what I've come to believe, but is there another way of creating a
branded signature that is "safer"? It seems like so many people have creative
signatures these days and I feel like maybe I'm missing something.

Do you know if there is a way to get rid of the attachments?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

That is what I've come to believe, but is there another way of creating a
branded signature that is "safer"? It seems like so many people have
creative
signatures these days and I feel like maybe I'm missing something.

Why not come to realize that email is a good tool for transmitting information
that doesn't need glitz and glitter to be effective? Do you really think that
a fancy signature will make the information you're trying to convey more
palatable or accurate?

Do you know if there is a way to get rid of the attachments?

Don't include the images.

 

[Sterling]

I forgot to mention that I'm attaching my company logo, not a glitzy piece of
artwork. And what puzzles me is why two different companies with logos in
their signatures can both email to a third company yet only one of the emails
is blocked. Does that sound right? (And no, the address is not on a black
list) It is hard to accept that without wondering if it is my error and
harder to get my boss to accept it. He wants the logo on the signature but
we'll remove them all if I can't solve this.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I forgot to mention that I'm attaching my company logo, not a glitzy piece of
artwork. And what puzzles me is why two different companies with logos in
their signatures can both email to a third company yet only one of the
emails
is blocked.

If this is the case, then the problem could be on the sender's end.

 

[Sterling]

So, if the problem could be on my end afterall, how do I trouble shoot it?
I've tried .gifs and .jpgs, and I insert them into Signatures (Outlook 2007
on Vista operating system) through Options/Mail Format/Signatures. What could
I be missing? Also, is there a way to do it that wouldn't come across as an
added attachment when it arrives at some computers?

If there is a help line I should call, please let me know.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

So, if the problem could be on my end afterall, how do I trouble shoot it?
I've tried .gifs and .jpgs, and I insert them into Signatures (Outlook 2007
on Vista operating system) through Options/Mail Format/Signatures. What
could
I be missing?

If you send the same message to two different people and one gets the image
and one doesn't then the problem is on the end of the one who doesn't get it.
Do you have that happening? You might also want to see this:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/signatures.htm

Also, is there a way to do it that wouldn't come across as an
added attachment when it arrives at some computers?

I don't believe there is any way to suppress the attachment icon, but why do
you care?

 

[Sterling]

Thanks for the link. I think I've done the HTML signature correctly, but I've
got to tell you that I don't see where I'm supposed to change the coding. I
think the link you sent is showing a screen that is not Outlook 2007 because
my screen only matches that photo from where it reads "Outlook Rich Text
Options" down. My settings match what is there. I don't have that HTML check
box on that screen, but on the previous screen under Message format I do have
it set at "Compose in this message format: HTML."

If I'm supposed to actualy be changing coding, can you tell me how to get to
it? It isn't clear to me.

Also, you asked why I care about elminating the signature being received at
times as an attachment. The reason is that when clients have saved my
messages and are looking back to find one with a specific attachment, they
tell me it is frustrating that all my emails have attachments so it is more
timeconsuming for them. Additionally, I sort of wondered if being able to
have the signature with logo without an actual attachment was possible then
maybe it would solve the bigger problem of email blockage.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Thanks for the link. I think I've done the HTML signature correctly, but
I've
got to tell you that I don't see where I'm supposed to change the coding. I
think the link you sent is showing a screen that is not Outlook 2007 because
my screen only matches that photo from where it reads "Outlook Rich Text
Options" down. My settings match what is there. I don't have that HTML check
box on that screen, but on the previous screen under Message format I do
have
it set at "Compose in this message format: HTML."

I believe the screen shot of the "Internet Format" dialogue box is from
Outlook 2003. I haven't looked at HTML signatures in Outlook 2007 myself. I
don't use HTML unless I must, and then I sign my messages using a Plain Text
signature. Always.

If I'm supposed to actualy be changing coding, can you tell me how to get to
it? It isn't clear to me.

After you create your signature, it should be stored in
%AppData%\Microsoft\Signatures. You should ve able to edit it there.

Also, you asked why I care about elminating the signature being received at
times as an attachment. The reason is that when clients have saved my
messages and are looking back to find one with a specific attachment, they
tell me it is frustrating that all my emails have attachments so it is more
timeconsuming for them. Additionally, I sort of wondered if being able to
have the signature with logo without an actual attachment was possible then
maybe it would solve the bigger problem of email blockage.

Are you attaching a vCard as a signature?

I believe Outlook considers embedded images attachments and will include the
attachment icon when receiving a message with embedded images. So, if they're
using Outlook on the receipient end, I believe they're stuck with it.

 

[Sterling]

Clearly this is above my head now. I went to %AppData%\Microsoft\Signatures
and I found several folders and HTML & XML files , but don't know what to do
with them. Are you saying to replace the information in them with the HTML
code that you directed me to and simple resave the file? I'm guessing that is
wrong and I don't know enough &/or it is too complicated to type to me.

I appreciate your help but I'm about to give up. I can't figure out how to
change the HTML code.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Clearly this is above my head now. I went to %AppData%\Microsoft\Signatures
and I found several folders and HTML & XML files , but don't know what to do
with them. Are you saying to replace the information in them with the HTML
code that you directed me to and simple resave the file? I'm guessing that
is
wrong and I don't know enough &/or it is too complicated to type to me.

That's what I meant. It is not wrong.

I appreciate your help but I'm about to give up. I can't figure out how to
change the HTML code.

Change it with an HTML editor or with Notepad, if you want. It doesn't really
matter.