I receive these graphically rich and beautifully laid out emails (from
spammers) and newsletter emails.  Some of them are really well
designed!

1) How are they generating/creating these graphical and rich text emails? 
2) Are they using a special program(s)? 
3) Are they using HTML?
4) How can I generate them?
5) Would I need to learn HTML to create them?
6) What are some programs that would allow me to create these
graphical and rich text emails and newsletter emails, and allow me
maximum artistic freedom without having to learn HTML.
7) Are there some good books, teachers, gurus, websites to refer to?
8) How do I begin?
9) Where do I begin?

Programs I have access to:

Dreamweaver
Fireworks
Microsoft Publisher 2003
Microsoft Word 2003

I'd appreciate hearing from somone who is actually designing these
things for a living. THANKS!

Hi, 

The only way I've done this is using HTML with the email server
directly, by creating Perl applications, which generate the HTML email
in the format you see them in. I know of no method of creating what
you are talking about in Outlook, or Eudora. You can do some nice
things in Outlook, and other clients (wall paper background, etc), but
they only come across correctly in other Outlook clients, .. in other
clients they can look horrid(AOL clients come to mind).

There is a program, which does what you are asking. You will still
need some HTML stuff, because that's what it is really. Your
Dreamweaver should be able to help you out there, and the MailChimp
website has a very good PDF file with further information on this.

The website is at
http://www.mailchimp.com/

And they have a free trial you can downloand and test out. 

Thanks, 

webadept-ga

hi

There is a softawre, which is free of cost, and very useful. with the
help of this software, you can create colorful emails along with
ecards and lots of other graphics. you can also add different sound
effects with your email.

the website is: www.incredimail.com

I hope you will really enjoy it.

best of luck