1 - Installing and Uninstalling Signature-mail Version 2.0 beta

2 - General Instructions for All Users of Signature-mail V2.0 beta

3 - Adding Your Handwriting to the Software

4 - Additional Instructions for Outlook and Outlook Express Users

5 - Additional Instructions for Netscape Users

6 - How to Use Signature-mail with Other Programs

7 - Advanced Features

8 - Known Issues and Workarounds with V2.0 beta

9 - Frequently Asked Questions

Note: If you are a previous Signature-mail customer and already have Version 1.0 or 1.1 installed on your computer, you do not have to uninstall it. The plug-in integration features in this Version 2.0 beta are currently disabled, so you can run both versions of the software on your computer without any conflicts.

Installing Signature-mail V2: When you download the setup file, be sure to save it in a place that is easy to remember, like the desktop. After downloading close all active programs and click on the file (smv2betasetup.exe) to install.

Uninstalling Signature-mail V2: Go to the Windows 'Start' menu, choose Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs, scroll down to select Signature-mail and click OK.

1) Launch Signature-mail by clicking on the desktop icon. 

Hint: (First time only) For convience, drop and drag the desktop icon onto the Windows 'START' button, which will place a shortcut to Signature-mail in the first column of the START menu for easy access. 

2) To change the Color, Size and Signature, use the pulldown menus on the Signature-mail interface. You will see the changes instantly in the preview window.

3) When you have it the way you want, click 'OK' 

Two things will happen: the program will close and the image will be placed on the Windows clipboard, ready to be pasted wherever you want to paste it. 

4) To paste, simply insert the cursor into your message or document where you want the signature to appear and choose 'PASTE' from the right mouse button or under the Edit menu in the program you are using. 

The current beta version will accept any Bitmap Image that you want to create, either by scanning an image of your handwriting, or using a pen-input device and saving as a .bmp file. (Our auto fax service is not yet available for this version).

Tips for scanning:

Use a BOLD black pen and sign your name (or write or draw) on a piece of white paper. It does not have to be extra large, but it will show up better if you use a thick pen or felt tip marker. 

SCAN, CROP, and SAVE each signature image as a Bitmap (.bmp) file. 

To add the image to your software:

1) Launch Signature-mail, pull down the FILE menu on the interface, choose Import>Bitmap From File and you will see the following window:

2) Click Browse and navigate to where you saved the image you want to import.

3) Type in a Caption for the image. For example:
 

The caption for

would be: Michael xoxox

The caption will show up where you select the signature from the pull down menu on the front of the program interface. 

NOTE: Signature-mail works with any program that accepts images from the Windows clipboard. However, it works differently in different programs, depending on how each program handles image files. 

Following are some highlights... 

If you are using Outlook or Outlook Express as your e-mail program, there are special features available to you. 

1) When you paste a Signature-mail image into an Outlook or Outlook Express message, it will be pasted in .gif format with a transparent background. That means when you use it with stationery or on a colored background, the image will look as if it were written on the page instead of having a white box around it. 
2) The image will show the caption that you gave it when you do an onmouseover, and when the image is sent to someone not able to see images in their e-mail. 

3) You can automatically add text under the image when it is inserted by choosing Properties under the edit menu on the Signature-mail interface and checking the box above where you add the text. (See the advanced features section below). 

Netscape converts the image to a .jpg with its own converter. Earlier Signature-mail customers might be dissapointed, but Netscape suspended the ability to integrate with messenger plug-ins 

Signature-mail will work with any program that accepts images from the Windows clipboard. With programs like Word, you can even send faxes and use your Signature-mail program to add your handwriting.

The properties window is under the edit menu on the program interface. 

1) Copy signature to clipboard upon exit should aways be checked. Since the current version does not have the plug-in integration enabled, it is necessary to use the clipboard to insert your images. 

2) Insert Signature-mail web link is disabled in this beta version.

3) If you are using an e-mail program like Outlook or Outlook Express, you can add text automatically below your handwritten signature by checking the third box and typing the text you would like to add, such as your title or telephone number, or a favorite phrase, etc.

1) Program does not always remember the previous color and size settings after re-launching Signature-mail. 
Workaround: Reset signature color and size if needed each time it happens. 

2) Tab feature for power users does not move around in the proper order.
Workaround: You will just have to deal with the tab order that it follows for now. 

3) The program displays an error screen and will not launch.
Workaround: You will have to uninstall Signature-mail, restart your computer and then reinstall Signature-mail, making sure to quit all active programs such as anti-virus software. In addition, please send us a bug report describing what system you are operating and what you think might have led up to the corruption. 

How can I add text below my signature in Outlook or Outlook Express?
Launch Signature-mail, choose edit pulldown menu>preferences and check the box for adding text and type your text in the box. You can add enter a couple of times before the text to create more space between the handwritten signature and your added text.

I'm having problems running the program or other related problems... 
Occasionally, files can become corrupt. If for some reason, it is not working properly, try uninstalling the program and then reinstalling it. If it doesn't clear up, uninstall and e-mail support@signature-mail.com to file a bug report. 

How come my e-mail program won't accept images?
Make sure your e-mail program can handle HTML and if so, make sure it is set to html and try again. 

Contact support@signature-mail.com for more help.