Many e-mail programs allow you to automatically add information at the bottom of outgoing messages. Since these add-ons frequently include the sender's name and related information, they've been tagged "signature lines."
Netiquette ("net etiquette") strongly encourages the use of signature lines. If you ever post messages on to a listserver, having a signature line allows recipients to easily reply directly to you, and not to the entire list. (For more about listserver etiquette (or "netiquette" click on this line).
Below, we describe, step-by-step, how to create a signature line in several popular e-mail programs. Included in our listing are:
America Online (AOL)
Eudora Light
Microsoft Outlook Express
Netscape Messenger
America Online (AOL) Version 5.0
and Higher
For AOL users who have upgraded to version 5.0 and would like to
add a distinctive signature at the end of your e-mails:
1) In send, reply or forward mail mode, click on far right signature icon (picture of
pen).
2) Click on set up signatures.
3) Click on Create.
4) Type in a signature name (i.e., work, or home).
5) Tab to signature area and type in whatever you want to be your 1st signature.
6) Click okay.
7) Click Default On.
8) Close window.
Your signature will now appear in every email.
(Much thanks to Tom Nagel esqtom@aol.com
for these instructions)
For AOL users who are using version 4.0 or older, it's a bit tougher to add a distinctive signature at the end of your e-mails:
1) Click on "file" in the upper left corner of your screen;
2) The click on "new";
3) Simply type the signtaure as you wish it to appear on your e-mail;
4) Then click on "save as";
5) Note you will have to give the file a name, such as "AOL Signature" and save it to a place you can readily find it.
Now, whenever you type an e-mail, and you are ready to place your signature, here's what you must do:
1) Click on "file" in the upper left hand corner;
2) Then click on "open";
3) Then open your saved file, e.g. "AOL Signature";
4) Highlight the type-written matter, copy and paste into your e-mail.
That's the AOL way to do that.
Eudora Light
From the menu bar, select Tools, then Signatures. You have the
option of a "standard" and an "alternate" signature line. Select
the "standard" listing, and enter information you want displayed at the end of
every e-mail. At a minimum, include your name and e-mail address. Select File,
Save or CTRL-S to save your "standard" signature line, then close out the
signature line window.
Microsoft Outlook
Express
Go to the Inbox view and select Tools. Select Stationary. Select
Signature. You can then type in the text and select when to apply- i.e., to every
e-mail and/or to all replies.
Note that you can also add a signature on the fly after you've created the signature by
selecting Insert and Signature when composing an e-mail.
For Outlook Express 6.0:
1) Click on tools
2) Click on options
3) Click on the "Signatures" tab
Note that Outlook Express can have more than one signature file, so you have to click on
"new" to create #1. In the same window, but below, is the field to enter the
text signature.
Then at top of same window, check the box for "add signature to all outgoing
messages" and uncheck "don't add signature to forwards or replies."
Finally, click "ok."
Netscape Messenger
Go to Edit, Preferences. Under the Mail & Newsgroups entry, select
Identity. You can either choose a Signature File (an ASCII text file), or use a
vCard ("virtual business card"). The vCard is by far and away the easier
way to go.
To use a vCard:
Select the Edit Card box and enter all desired information, but at the very least a
name and e-mail address. Click the OK box to complete the entry of personal
information. Finally, be sure to check the "Attach my personal card to messages
(as a vCard)" box.
To use a Signature File:
First, create an ASCII (standard text) file with your desired information.
Remember to include your name and e-mail address at a minimum. Then enter the full
path and name of that file in the location bar, or use the "Choose File" box to
select the file.
