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Animated E-cards

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Published: September 28, 2006

Today, the Internet makes it both fun and easy to stay connected with friends and family in a variety of ways, such as through sending e-mails, pictures and media.

One of the most popular forms of online communication is animated e-cards. A quick and convenient way to send greetings over the Internet, e-cards – otherwise known as electronic cards – are the right option if you are forced into a situation in which a phone call simply will not do. For example, maybe you have an out-of-state relative celebrating a birthday and you forgot to send her a card. Or maybe you got into a fight with your boyfriend and he refuses to answer your calls. Perhaps the holidays are just around the corner and you want to send your friend a Christmas greeting, but you do not have her address.

Whatever the reason or occasion, an animated e-card can not only help you get your message to your intended receiver as quickly as possible, but it also is easy to find, create and send.

What is Animation?

Animation, which is mainly used for entertainment purposes, is best defined as the visual illusion of motion created by the repeated display of images of stationary elements. When combined with computer graphics, animation becomes computer animation, which creates moving images on a computer.

Therefore, an animated e-card – which is either pre-designed based on a particular concept or is created according to your specifications – incorporates moving images into your personalized message or greeting.

Sample E-card Categories
Friends: I'm glad we're friends, Let's be friends, Best friends
Marriage: Wedding, Anniversary, Marry me, Best husband/wife
Love: Falling in Love, Kisses, Love Sick, Hugs & Kisses, In Love
General: Miss You, Thinking of You, I'm Sorry, Get well, Congratulations
Anytime: Hello, You're the Best, Without You
Birthdays: Happy Birthday, Sorry I Missed your Birthday
Holidays: Christmas, Valentine's Day, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays

Greeting Card Facts
Listed below is a compilation of greeting card facts and trivia, courtesy of the Greeting Card Association, to provide insight on the importance of greeting cards.

Most Popular Seasonal Cards
Christmas: 60 percent
Valentine's Day: 25 percent
Mother's Day: 4 percent
Father's Day: 3 percent
Easter: 3 percent

Most Popular Everyday Cards
Birthdays: 60 percent
Anniversary: 8 percent
Get Well: 7 percent
Friendship: 6 percent
Sympathy: 6 percent

Important Facts & Trivia
• Americans purchase nearly seven billion greeting cards annually
• The average card retails for $2 to $4
• 90 percent of all U.S. households purchase greeting cards
• The average purchase of cards per household equals 30 individual cards per year
• Parents are the major recipients of seasonal cards
• Most people open personal greeting cards and letters first
• Greeting cards are successful primarily because they keep families and friends connected, allowing them to know they are important to someone

Think of how much time and money you could save by sending animated e-cards to your friends and family, rather than purchasing a card at the store. Sending a card online eliminates the hassle of having to drive to the store, peruse an endless selection of cards, pay an average of $2 to $4 for your selection, fill out the card and mail (which then involves the purchase of a stamp) or give the card to the intended receiver.

The only steps involved in sending an animated e-card include: making your selection, typing your personal message and clicking send when you are finished. Animated e-cards help you brighten someone's day without ever having to leave your chair.

Finding & Sending E-Cards
With a little research, finding a Web site with a broad selection of animated e-cards can be easy.

Listed below are various search engines to help you get started:

http://www.yahoo.com
http://www.google.com
http://www.altavista.com
http://www.excite.com
http://www.msn.com

After you perform your search, you may come across several Web sites offering animated e-cards. Be sure to peruse various sites to get an idea of what type and style of cards they offer. For example, some sites may only offer birthday e-cards. Once you find the perfect animated e-card, select it, add a personal message and send your greeting to someone special. Just make sure you have their correct e-mail address!

Important note: Some animated e-cards may require the use of Macromedia Flash Player. If you do not already have this program installed on your computer, be sure to download it before beginning your search. Do not worry; installation is free.

If you really want to make someone smile, why not personalize your greeting by sending them an animated e-card? Not only do animated e-cards help you stay in touch with friends and family, but they also give you the ability to both extend and create special feelings, thoughts and memories to those you love. An online greeting card also helps you form a personal connection with someone by letting them know they are in your thoughts.


Sources:
Animated e-card. Byron-Elliott. 23 Sept 2006. http://www.byronelliott.co.uk/offer_ecard.htm
Animation. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 23 Sept 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animated
E-cards. IndiaExpress.com. 23 Sept 2006. http://www.indiaexpress.com/cards/
Free E-cards to Send. Rubber Chicken Cards. Stephen Roblatt. 23 Sept 2006.
http://www.rubberchickencards.com/content.php/acti on/popular
Greeting Card Facts. Wanart.ca: Animated Musical E-cards! 23 Sept 2006.
http://www.wanart.ca/cardcollection.asp?card_ser ies=2&recip=
Greeting Card Trivia. Wanart.ca: Animated Musical E-cards! 23 Sept 2006.
http://www.wanart.ca/cardcollection.asp?card_ser ies=2&recip=
How to Find & Send E-cards: Online Greetings Help you Keep in Touch. E-Mail Quick Tips.
July 2000. Vol.8, Issue 7: pgs. 108-109. Smart Computing. 23 Sept. 2006.
http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article. asp?article=articles/archive/g0807/46g07/46g07.asp
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