free ecards

What is an Ecard

An ecard is very basically an electronic postcard, sent via the Internet, usually through E-Mail. A user sending an ecard would select a pre-written style with image and message, and would add their own personal message, and specify the recipient's e-mail address. Many websites nowadays provide free ecards although there are still many that charge. Probable because they are rather more sophisticated in some way. When sending the card, the recipient would receive an e-mail with a link to the ecard provider's webpage, and this link would go to the ecard as a web page, with the sender's personal message and card. Note that the actual card is not usually sent through the e-mail, but only a link to the card hosted as a website.

There are five common types of visual ECards. "Flash Animated" which use Macromedia's "Flash" software, "Postcards" which use static (non-moving) images, "Animated" cards which are similar to Postcards yet may have some minor repetitive movement, JavaScript cards which typically combine Postcard images with some kind of JavaScript-based animation, and most recently Talking greeting cards. Flash Animated cards are typically the most advanced and popular cards. Flash Animated cards are typically used to create a full-animated effect, similar to an animated cartoon.

They can also be interactive, asking the viewer to perform an action or press a button. Postcards are the oldest form of E-Cards and are still popular. They typically show more artistic or nature images such as animals, mountains, sunsets, people, or other scenic scenes. These are more likely to be free ecards because they are the most basic.