Creating a Signature File for Email

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A signature file is nothing more than a small file saved in ASCII text format that's added to every email message.  The book for CIS-121B, talks about them on pages 2.05-2.06 , but, unfortunately, doesn't give you step by step instructions on how to create them.  The general approach is that we must first create the file, then tell the email client to automatically include it as part of any message we send.

The procedures for creating and implementing signature files in Outlook Express and Netscape Messenger differ slightly.

Version 5 of Outlook Express has, by far, the easiest method:

    a.  Go: Tools-->Options-->Signature (at tab at the top of the box)
    b.  Click the "New" button.
    c.  Click in the bottom window (if the insertion point doesn't move there by itself), and type the signature just the way you want it to appear.
    d.  Click the "Add signature to all outgoing messages" box back at the top of the page.
    e.  Click "Apply".  That's it!  from now on, your signature will go out in every email you send until you go back and "deselect" the "Add signature" box.  For further information, try the OE Help function.  Press "F1", click the "Index" tab, and enter "signature".

With Netscape, you must first create the file, save it as a .txt, then tell Messenger to attatch it to your email.

It's just a small little file you create in any word processor that can save in text (.txt) format.

1. First, open a word processor. Notepad works well because it saves ONLY in .txt. format, and you don't have to worry about changing the file "Save as type.." setting. Wordpad, Word, and WordPerfect can all be told to save as .txt by selecting that type in the "Save as file type..." dialog box.
2. Anyway, create the signature file by entering your name, position, whatever you want, then save it.
3. At this point, if you're not using Notepad, the only tricky part is remembering to save is as a text (.txt) file.  Some word processors call it ASCII or ASCII text.  Click File-->Save As..  in your word processor.  One of the options at the bottom of the Save As.. screen should be something like:  "Save as file type:    ".  Click on the down arrow next to this box and select the .txt option.  Store it where you want it.  REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT IT AND WHAT YOU CALLED IT!

OK, now we need to tell our email client to add the file to every message (again, this is for Netscape).

1. Click: Edit-->Preferences-->Mail & Newsgroups-->Identity
2. Click: "Choose", navigate to where you stored the file, and select it.
3. Click: "Open", and then "OK".

OK, OK!!  For those of you using AOL:

1. Login to AOL as you would normally.
2. Click the "Mail Center" button in the toolbar at the top of your AOL browser window
3. Select: "Set up Signatures
4. Follow the directions.