by Jin Nan Goto

Mozilla Thunderbird is a wonderful and free alternative to Microsoft Outlook.  Stationary is a useful plugin for Thunderbird that will allow you to use pre-made HTML files as templates for your email messages.  Normally email is simple text, but using HTML allows you to create colorful and dynamic looking emails.  In the small business worlds there are many uses for html mail.

• Professional looking Letterhead for your formal communications
• Attractive Advertisements/Newsletters (Be sure that any advertisements are solicited by the recipient.  You don’t want to spam people).
• Gives you greater control over the look and feel of your messages

There are some disadvantages to HTML email.  The first is that it can be a security and privacy risk.  A maliciously formed HTML page can be used to install malware on your machine(although this is usually done through a flaw in windows.  Note: Keep you computer patched).  This is why many email programs block the loading of images and many users disable the receipt of HTML email.  Regardless it still can be useful.

For these instructions to work, you need to use Mozilla Thunderbird.  You can get Thunderbird here:  http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/

You will also need the Stationary Plugin.  You can get it here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/4394

Part 1: Install Stationary

1. Open Thuderbird
2. Click “Add-ons” from the Tools Menu
3. Drag and drop the stationary.xpi file you downloaded on to the resulting add-ons window.

Step 2: Create message using HTML Template

1. You should create your HTML Template in advance using your HTML editor or notepad (if you don’t have an HTML editor).
2. Click on the arrow to the right of the Write icon in thunderbird.  Select “Other Stationary”.  Then just browse to the template.  In the future this file will be added to the dropdown list.
   
3. Compose your email and send it.  In case the recipient has disabled HTML mail you should be sure and send your message in both plaintext and HTML.

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