[FAQ 911012] What is {Tags}?
The eBlast program uses {Tags} to control the way the email get personalized.  A {Tag} is no more than a place holder for text that needs to be inserted from one of three places: The Address database, External files or Internal values.  A {Tag} can be embedded in the Body of the email or the Subject matter. {Tags} can also be embedded inside other {Tags}, like the {Footer} could include {TagLine}, {Disclaimer} and {Unsubscribe}. Note: Be careful to not create a circler connection by embedding {Tags} reference {Tags} that are pointing back to the first {Tag}.

Address database {tags}:
{Email} => Represent the receiver's email address. Example: Could be used to ask the receiver if this is the receivers current email address.

{FirstName} => Represent the receiver's first name. Example: Many times use as a salute in the email body and/or Subject matter.

{LastName} => Represent the receiver's last name. Example: Sometime in more formal emails this could be a part of the salute.

{Company} => Represent the receiver's company name. Example: Like found is question about the receivers company “{FirstName}, does {Company} use eBlast to stay in contact with it clients?”

{Category} => Represent the receiver's category list. Note: This is a tricky {Tag} since it could be either one single category or it could be a group of categories. Incase of a group of categories each category is separated by the string “ – “.

{Created} => Represent the date the Address database record was created. Example: Not likely used but is included since it is a part of the database and maybe the creation date is needed in the email.

{Updated} => Represent the date the Address database record was last updated.  Example: Not likely used but is included since it is a part of the database and maybe the updated date is needed in the email.

{LastMailing} => Represent the date of the last email sent to the receiver. Example: Can be used to printout to the receiver last should have received a newsletter.

{Unsubscribed} => Represent the Boolean Yes/No depending if the receiver has requested to be un-subscribed from the list. Example: Not likely used but is included since it is a part of the database

{BadAddress} => Represent the Boolean Yes/No depending if the receivers email have been returned due too a bad email address. Example: Not likely used but is included since it is a part of the database

File {Tags}:
{Copyright} => Reads the “Copyright.Txt” file found in the “Template” folder and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}. Example: Should be used in all messages going out and is many time a part of the {Footer}.

{Disclaimer} => Reads the “Disclaimer.Txt” file found in the “Template” folder and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}. Example: This is where most users will put the information about Spam-Act-of-2003 and that this message is sent in conforming to Spam-Act-of-2003. For more about smart emailing see “How to not Spam, why not?” and “Why not comply with the CAN SPAM Act of 2003?”.

{TagLine} => Reads the “TagLine.Txt” file found in the “Template” folder and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}. Example: Most companies or organizations have a tagline. Here at NTS it is “An Intelligent Alternative” which could be a part of the {Footer}.

{Subscribe} => Reads the “Subscribe.Txt” file found in the “Template” folder and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}. Sometimes your email is forward to other, especially if your message is educating or is describing a product that some “friend” would need.  This is why it can be smart to have a link back to eBlast so the reader can subscribe from within the email. Example: Use this link to receive this type of emails: [a href="mailto:ntsnews@sbcglobal.net?subject=On-eBlast-List&body=Please add my name to the NTS eBlast Address List"] Click here [/a] Note: The “[“ and “]” symbols should be replaced by “<” and “>”, the reason for using it here is that you will not see the text since the browser would convert it to the actually link.

{UnSubscribe} => Reads the “UnSubscribe.Txt” file found in the “Template” folder and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}. To be conforming to Spam-Act-of-2003 (For more about smart emailing see “How to not Spam, why not?” and “Why not comply with the CAN SPAM Act of 2003?”.) all emails should have a way that the receiver can Opt-Out. Example: At My Software Company we respect your privacy. If you wish to eliminate yourself from our mailing list please use this link: [a href="mailto:ntsnews@sbcglobal.net?subject=Off-eBlast-List&body= Please eliminate my name from the NTS eBlast Address List"] Click here [/a] Note: The “[“ and “]” symbols should be replaced by “<” and “> , the reason for using it here is that you will not see the text since the browser would convert it to the actually link”.

{Header} => Reads the “Header.Txt” file found in the “Template” folder and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}. Example: This file could include the collection of standard company or organization top banner or logo.  Maybe even a standard salute to the receiver. Sample: {FirstName}, here is your monthly eNewsletter – Friday, September 15, 2006.

{Footer} => Reads the “Footer.Txt” file found in the “Template” folder and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}. Example: This file could be a collection of {TagLine}, {Copyright}, {Disclaimer}, {Subscribe} and {UnSubscribe}.

{File:d:path\filename.ext} => Reads the ASCII “d:path\filename.ext” file and uses the text as replacement for the {Tag}.  Example: Should the above fixed names not cut it then this is a way to insert simple text. The eNewsLetter may have three text area; one for the message from the president, one article and then one announcement.  Then this three text areas could be stored in three different ASCII files and eBlast will automatic insert the text before the emails is sent.

HTTP {Tags}:
{Picture:http://www.domain.com/images/mypic.jpg} => Inserts the HTML tag to display pictures already stored on the Web or FTP site. Example: This could be used as a part of the {Header} pointing to the same top banner that is used on your web site.

Internal {Tags}:
{ Date } => Will insert the current date in the format of 03/31/2006. Example: All messages should have a date. Many times the short date is used in the Subject matter where as the long date is used in the email Body.

Friday, September 15, 2006 => Will insert the current date in the format of Mar 31, 2006. Example: All messages should have a date. Many times the short date is used in the Subject matter where as the long date is used in the email Body.

{TrackingNo} => Will insert a unique Tracking Number representing the sent email. Example: Sometimes you want the receiver to email you back as a part of a promotional and at that time the eBlast internal tracking number would be a great way to pinpoint witch message this came from.  Note: The tracking number is a combination of the Hard disk serial number + date of the mailing + sequential number of the mailings.

{FromName} => Will insert the value found in the Setup on the Mailing Info tab field “From Name”. Example: Sometimes in the {Disclaimer} one wants to include the sender name.

{FromEmailAddress} => Will insert the value found in the Setup on the Mailing Info tab field “From Email Address”. Example: Sometimes in the {Disclaimer} one wants to include the sender email address.