Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

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tapetv
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Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tapetv »

I'd like to be sure clients see my emails the way I intended, but the list of 'safe' fonts is rather limited.
I'm not much of a code-jockey, but would something like this:

Code: Select all

<style type="text/css">
    @import url('http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans');
</style>

in the userContent.css or userChrome.css? And if so: which one?

Help or advice would be highly appreciated!
Arno Peeters
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tapetv
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tapetv »

::bump::
Arno Peeters
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by LIMPET235 »

Moving to Thunderbird Support...
[Ancient Amateur Astronomer.]
Win-10-H/64 bit/500G SSD/16 Gig Ram/450Watt PSU/350WattUPS/Firefox-115.0.2/T-bird-115.3.2./SnagIt-v10.0.1/MWP-7.12.125.

(Always choose the "Custom" Install.)
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tapetv
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tapetv »

Anyone?
Arno Peeters
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tanstaafl
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tanstaafl »

Those two *.css files effect what is displayed by your email client, not the recipients.

The basic problem is that many email clients let the user (recipient) override what fonts the message use. For example in Thunderbird I set tools -> options -> display -> advanced to specify that Georgia should be used all of the time, and don't check the checkbox to allow messages to use other fonts. So if you sent me a message using a very popular font (to increase the odds I have it installed) it wouldn't matter since I'm configured to always use Georgia. I could also use my userChrome.css file or an add-on to override what font is used in a message I'm viewing. I suspect the best you can do is pick a font that is pre-installed across many different computers, devices and operating systems and then check that a typical message looks good on a variety of displays (smartphone, laptop, large monitor for a desktop, a Mac with a retina display).

http://blog.campaignmaster.co.uk/2013/0 ... afe-fonts/
https://emailsignaturerescue.com/suppor ... -signature
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tapetv
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tapetv »

You clearly have a point, that's also what I contemplated. But in case I send mail to the numerous clients that have 'allow messages to use other fonts' enabled (which I reckon is a big group), where would I set the font to be displayed? And, back to the main question, would it be possible to use a remote font, like Google fonts?
I guess that if the client isn't able to use it, it surely would be overridden by a default font that is in use.
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tanstaafl
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tanstaafl »

The easiest way would be to use the HTML toolbar to specify the font when composing the message, though you could insert a HTML font tag directly using the insert -> HTML command. https://www.w3schools.com/tags/tag_font.asp

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/135 ... e#13585273 talks about how to import fonts using a CSS stylesheet on a web site. That appears to require storing the fonts on the web server. However https://developers.google.com/fonts/doc ... ng_started seems to describe a simpler scenario using the google fonts api where "all you have to do is add a special stylesheet link to your HTML document, then refer to the font in a CSS style." I suspect you could do that in the HTML message you compose using Thunderbird.
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tapetv
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tapetv »

Well, that example using Google-fonts works: I simply inserted it in HTML and it gave me instant result!
This might be a beginners question, but except from the 'Attach Signature' where is the place to nest this code as default? Is it possible even?
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tanstaafl »

You could place it in a template, and whenever you want to compose a new message select the Templates folder and double-click on the template. See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Message_templates
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by tapetv »

Thanks!!!!
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Re: Reliable to use Google-fonts in Thunderbird?

Post by lokust112 »

From what I know, you shouldn't use any fonts in email signatures that don't come pre-installed on all PC's/Mac's. Reason for this is that it will then revert to the next available font that you specify in the font-family attribute in your CSS. In order for your email signatures to look complete and correct, you should just stick to the main fonts otherwise you might find your email signature uses the wrong font.

There is a list of fonts below which are email signature safe:
https://www.zippysig.com/what-are-the-b ... ignatures/
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