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Ivan's picture

Get notified when your email has been read

spypigHave you ever wondered if a client received your important email already? Don't you wish you had a way to tell?

It can be done, although it's a bit more complicated than just clicking a switch. Visit Spypig and follow the instructions for a one off tracking image that will be used to check the delivery of your email.

You could do this with your own web host, by checking when that particular unique image has been accessed by your recipients email application, but it would be complicated to set-up a new image every time and then keep checking when the stats show access.

The good thing Spypig works with most email systems, whether you use Apple Mail.app or Gmail.

Commenting on this Blog entry is closed.

atomo's picture
7 pencils

That logo!
That font!
Those colours!
*twitch*

Ivan's picture

I know, it's a total turn-off. :(CE

macgruder's picture
9 pencils

That's a pretty bad invasion of privacy. Of course, the recipient is told but it's the same technique that spammers use to confirm a mail has been read too. Which is why most savvy users turn off automatic image linking. The name is honest at least.

Ivan's picture

Well, you're not really told if the sender uses the white square instead of the pig.

Funny thing is that if the recipient opens the mail again, you will be notified by it again. Up to 5 times.

macgruder's picture
9 pencils

>Well, you're not really told if the sender uses the white square instead of the pig.

Worse than I thought. One to add to my mail filter: 'message contains spypig'; move to 'idiot' folder.

It won't work of course if the user doesn't download the image.

benjancewicz's picture
26 pencils

Why would anyone see it as an invasion of privacy?

3dogmama's picture
1991 pencils

Sorry. Not a big fan of these apps. If the delivery and receipt of an email is of such import, pick up the phone and call.

Also, agree about the graphics--they suck, and I find the line, "I know you've read my email" obnoxious. If I received something like this, I'd immediately file it under G.

ciao
3dogmama

"Art -- the one achievement of Man which has made the long trip up from all fours seem well advised." - James Thurber

natobasso's picture
3953 pencils

Another way to do this is request confirmation when you send the email. Follow up with a phone call. No need for subterfuge. :)

----
Powerpoint is not a design application

gwells's picture
1711 pencils

i'll add to the "ugh" and "blech" comments. it's this kind of thing that has inline graphics turned off on any email i receive.

onegirlcreative's picture
1090 pencils

Tried to make a suggestion and got roasted instead. LOL

Don't worry, we all still love you. =P

Nice try. I think I'll just "assume" that they're receiving the e-mail, and if it's that important, then like everybody suggested, I will just pick up the phone. Imagine that...

I have to concur with everybody's observation about that ugly-ass logo. OMG. It's hideous!!!!

suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com

--------
"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo

www.onegirlcreative.com

Ivan's picture

No problem, I was curious to see the ethical considerations. :)

Tice's picture
42 pencils

... the user has Little Snitch and disallows showing pictures by not allowing connections - like I did. ; )

William's picture
188 pencils

This type of image is normally called web bug.

I have used the following technique to prevent them:

It just displays mail messages as plain text message in mono spaced font.

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20030711201917175&query=mail%2Bdisplay%2Bplain%2Btext

Will

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