E-cards: Difference between revisions
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[[File:ecardpagehyy2005.png|thumb|Page with full of [[hoops&yoyo]] E-cards | [[File:ecardpagehyy2005.png|thumb|Page with full of [[hoops&yoyo]] E-cards in 2005.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20051102024808/http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category2%7C10001%7C10051%7C-102001%7C-2;-102001%7Cproducts%7CE-Cards</ref>]] | ||
E-cards, also known as | [[E-cards]], also known as [[E-cards|digital cards]] or [[E-cards|electronic postcards]], are greeting cards created and sent electronically as opposed to physically. E-cards can range from simple cards with static graphics and text, similar to physical cards, or more complex cards that feature animated content such as GIFs or video files, or even interactive content for the recipient. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The concept of e-cards was invented in 1994<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-card#Technological_evolution</ref>, then mainly used in 1998 in the early internet days. Hallmark started making e-cards in 1999 in the form of GIF files, then replacing with Flash in early 2000's. | |||
The first [[hoops&yoyo]] e-card was [[4th of july|4th Of July]] released in 2001. which sparked popularity and gained its own page of e-cards in late 2002. | |||
==Popularity== | ==Popularity== | ||
E- | E-cards started getting popular at the beginning of the 2000s due to their creativity and Hallmark's other franchises such as Maxine. When hoops&yoyo was introduced, it gained ''huge'' popularity, with e-cards being sent over a million times. 37% of Hallmark's market share was hoops&yoyo in 2005{{citation needed}}. | ||
==Downfall== | ==Downfall== | ||
The downfall of | The downfall of e-cards happened when every e-card Flash file was replaced by .webm files in 2015. This led to a small backlash as the interactive e-cards were gone. Another downfall was the introduction of the Hallmark Video Cards in 2021 after the e-card service being shut down on the same year, which is also getting discontinued on August 30th, of 2024. | ||
Another downfall was the introduction of the Hallmark Video Cards in 2021 after the e-card service being | |||
==Discontinuation== | ==Discontinuation== | ||
On April 1st, 2021, people who visited the Hallmark eCard website were met with this notice: | On April 1st, 2021, people who visited the Hallmark eCard website were met with this notice: | ||
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"April 30, 2021 will be the last date of Hallmark eCards service. Starting May 1, 2021, you will no longer be able to access www.hallmarkecards.com, send eCards, receive eCards, or access your account. It has been a privilege to support you in strengthening your relationships through the use of eCards." | "April 30, 2021 will be the last date of Hallmark eCards service. Starting May 1, 2021, you will no longer be able to access www.hallmarkecards.com, send eCards, receive eCards, or access your account. It has been a privilege to support you in strengthening your relationships through the use of eCards." | ||
Meaning you | Meaning you couldn't send, receive, or visit the e-cards section anymore. | ||
Luckily, Alec has archived (almost) every [[hoops&yoyo]] e-card.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xju9wGrMjVU&feature=youtu.be</ref> | |||
==Trivia== | |||
*[[hoops&yoyo]] e-cards are never scripted. Their dialogue comes spontaneously from the minds of [[Bob Holt]] and [[Mike Adair]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 19:50, 26 July 2025
E-cards, also known as digital cards or electronic postcards, are greeting cards created and sent electronically as opposed to physically. E-cards can range from simple cards with static graphics and text, similar to physical cards, or more complex cards that feature animated content such as GIFs or video files, or even interactive content for the recipient.
History
The concept of e-cards was invented in 1994[2], then mainly used in 1998 in the early internet days. Hallmark started making e-cards in 1999 in the form of GIF files, then replacing with Flash in early 2000's.
The first hoops&yoyo e-card was 4th Of July released in 2001. which sparked popularity and gained its own page of e-cards in late 2002.
Popularity
E-cards started getting popular at the beginning of the 2000s due to their creativity and Hallmark's other franchises such as Maxine. When hoops&yoyo was introduced, it gained huge popularity, with e-cards being sent over a million times. 37% of Hallmark's market share was hoops&yoyo in 2005[citation needed].
Downfall
The downfall of e-cards happened when every e-card Flash file was replaced by .webm files in 2015. This led to a small backlash as the interactive e-cards were gone. Another downfall was the introduction of the Hallmark Video Cards in 2021 after the e-card service being shut down on the same year, which is also getting discontinued on August 30th, of 2024.
Discontinuation
On April 1st, 2021, people who visited the Hallmark eCard website were met with this notice:
"April 30, 2021 will be the last date of Hallmark eCards service. Starting May 1, 2021, you will no longer be able to access www.hallmarkecards.com, send eCards, receive eCards, or access your account. It has been a privilege to support you in strengthening your relationships through the use of eCards."
Meaning you couldn't send, receive, or visit the e-cards section anymore.
Luckily, Alec has archived (almost) every hoops&yoyo e-card.[3]
Trivia
- hoops&yoyo e-cards are never scripted. Their dialogue comes spontaneously from the minds of Bob Holt and Mike Adair.