Calling email client Gurus

[Mark McCall]

I webmaster SWPPA.com

When an email link is clicked, the user's default email client pops up.
For Windows users, that's Outlook.
For Mac users, that's whatever email client is in the OS.

Visitors with a Yahoo email account still get Outlook popping up when an email link is clicked.

Is there something I can do from the site end, or something I can do on the visitor end, to take the visitor to their own online email client when an email link is clicked?

In other words....click an email link....Yahoo email pops up. (if that's the visitors email service).

I do not think there is a way to do this, but someone may know something I do not.

[Rense]

This needs to be done on the client side.
Email settings are in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail\ on a windows machine

I don't think it is possible with a plain mailto statement, you need to use scripting ala:

'reads the value for the default email client
'if the key cannot be found, the return value is ""
Dim myWS As Object
Dim RegKey As String
Dim Key As String

Key = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail\"

On Error Resume Next
'access Windows scripting
Set myWS = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'read key from registry
RegKey = myWS.RegRead(Key)

If RegKey = "Microsoft Outlook" Or RegKey = "Outlook Express" Then
 .....

[Mark McCall]

Rense,
My visitor is on a Mac.
Suggestions?
I don't know jack about spripting.

For my own info, I don't use Outlook...I use Suddenlink Webmail.
In the Internet Options dialog on IE 7, I only have these options.

Is there a way to make a link open up Suddenlink Webmail instead of Outlook? Would I use the script you've posted here?

[Rense]

Sorry.
don't know jack about mac's.
Maybe setting the client in IE also sets the default program when you click on a mailto link.

[HuBBaTheMan]

to sum it up, there is nothing you can do on the SERVER side to affect what mail client on the CLIENT side that will be used.

[Big Al]

I fully agree with Hubba.

There are billions of personal computer configurations in the world today. Honestly, your best move is to leave it as is.

[Jon]

Originally Posted by HuBBaTheMan

to sum it up, there is nothing you can do on the SERVER side to affect what mail client on the CLIENT side that will be used.

yup

and all bets are even more off if the person is using webmail.

[aleksman71]

I use Email Me Form™ - HTML Forms, Web Forms, PHP Forms for email contact
example