welcome to
SIGNATURE QUOTER
version 4.0, December 20th 1999
©1996-1999 Hans Luyten
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Contents |
Were to find what ! | |
What do I do with this program ? | |
How do I install this program ? | |
What happened before this release ? | |
You should read this before spreading this program !! |
SignatureQuoter is designed to change your signature file each time you start
SignatureQuoter.
This version (4.0) is designed to handle the 3 common fileformats of Microsnot's
Outlook (98 and up) in one execution.
Note: Microsnot's Outlook will start looking for it's signature files in C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures !
Starting SignatureQuoter can be done in the 'C:\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP'-directory, via the Microsoft System Agent (Microsoft Plus!) or when ever you click the program or a shortcut to the program.
The signature is used, mostly, for signing E-Mail messages, but other purposes are possible too.
The file can be in either ASCII, ANSI ASCII or HTML format, so it's up to you what you want to change.
Installation is pretty basic for the more experienced users. Just for the beginning Windows user, a brief how-to.
1. Make a directory where you want to place the SignatureQuoter in, for example 'C:\PROGRAM FILES\SIGNATUREQUOTER'.
2. Copy the executable ('SignatureQuoter.exe'), the default part of the signature ('Basic.txt') and the quotes ('Quotes.txt') in this directory.
3. Make a shortcut to some location, for example to 'C:\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP', so the program will be started, each time you boot Windows95.
4. Open the properties of this shortcut, by right-clicking the shortcut and selecting 'properties',the following image should show:
5. SignatureQuoter is designed to accept parameters, so you can use your own
filenames. This also allows you to make more than one signature. Just as an
example we'll assume that our signature-file should be called 'SIGNATURE.TXT',
our quotes (as included) we'll get from the 'QUOTES.TXT' and our basic signature
(the part of the signature that won't change) will be 'BASIC.TXT'.
To make things easier, we'll asume that these files can be found in the 'C:\PROGRAM
FILES\SIGNATUREQOUTER' director, which we just made for installing
the program in.
In order to use these settings, we'll have to adjust our 'Target:'
field, found in the properties window, like shown in the picture. The contents
of this field should read:
'"C:\Program Files\SignatureQuoter\SignatureQuoter.exe"
"Quotes.TXT" "Basic" "Signature"'.
The first parameter is the quotes-file. If the file is found in a different
path, then you should include the path aswell. The second parameter is the basic-signature
file and the third parameter is the result (signature) file. Note that the basic
file fot text (BASIC.TXT), Richtext (BASIC.RTF) and HTML (BASIC.HTM) should
have the same prefix. The suffix (TXT/RTF/HTM) will identify the proper files.
Therefor you will need to make these in the appropriate formats.
6. Now you can click 'OK', to make the changes happen.
7. Now we have to make a default part of out signature, just for example I'll show you the one I'm currently using (basic.txt):
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- <!-- QUOTE HERE --> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Snail-Mail: Hans Luyten E-Mail: H.Luyten@tref.nl 't Hofflandt 36 4851 TC Ulvenhout Voice: +31-76-5612926 Homepage:HTTP://leden.tref.nl/h.luyten The Netherlands -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The line '<!-- QUOTE HERE -->' will be replaced by the quote. Note that the ENTIRE line will be replaced ! Also note, that this file can be in HTML format aswell,... the tag I used is ignored by a HTML viewer/browser.
8. To make the first signature file, click the Windows95 'Start'-button, 'Programs', 'Startup', "Shortcut to SignatureQuoter.exe'. Signature Quoter qill now generate the first signature. A result, for examples, could be:
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- When they asked George Washington for his ID, he just took out a quarter. -Wright -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Snail-Mail: Hans Luyten E-Mail: H.Luyten@tref.nl 't Hofflandt 36 4851 TC Ulvenhout Voice: +31-76-5612926 Homepage:HTTP://leden.tref.nl/h.luyten The Netherlands -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
9. Go to your e-mail program (in this example we'll be using Microsoft Outlook Express, which is a part of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0) and tell it where to find the signature file. In outlook this is done like shown:
Select 'Tools', 'Stationary'
Click on the 'Signature'-button
click on the radio-button 'File', click on the button 'Browse...' and go to the 'C:\PROGRAM FILES\SIGNATUREQUOTER' directory and select 'Signature.TXT'. Now you can 'OK' all open windows,... you're set now... Outlook will automaticall add your signature to your e-mail. Optional you could check the 'Don't add signature to Replies and Forwards'.
In Outlook 98 (2000 and better) a similar options is to be found
in "Tools" - "Options".
Note: Microsnot's Outlook will start looking for it's signature files in C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures
Usage is pretty much shown in the 'Installation' chapter. Some additional notes on the program are:
Version | Notes |
0.9 | First tryout, converted my Unix-C version to Borland Delphi. The result worked only with ASCII files, adding the quote at the end of the signature, a leftover form the Unix version. |
1.0 | This version uses TStrings to save system resources. The program would stay in the system-tray, however this did cost quite some extra system resources. |
2.0 | The program now runs just once, and did not remain in memory. |
3.0 | Added support for HTML. Executable reduced in size considerable. The older version were around 230Kb in size. This version truned out to be 54Kb, again saving load-time and system-resources. This also shows you how to make relative small apps using Borland Delphi. Made my first 'readme'-file. |
3.1 | Added support parameters, so you can use your own filenames
and use it for whatever you'd like to use. This way you can use the same program for multiple signaturefiles, for example one HTML and one ASCII. Unfortunally I haven't seen any e-mail software supporting more than one signature. Adapted the readme-file for this version from scratch. |
3.2 | Bug fix when executing multiple shortcuts in Start-menu |
4.0 | MS Outlook version. All formats (TXT, RTF and HTM) are handled in one execution. |
SignatureQuoter is FREEWARE, however donations are welcome, but a nice postcard from your town, or just an e-mail message, or a copy of something you created would be nice aswell,...
WARNING!
For those of you who spread software, please ask me first before you're start spreading. I've had some bad experiences in the past with some of you ! Basic rule here is that if you're spreading this on a CD-Rom, that you'll have to offer me a CD-Rom either free or with a nice rebate.
Commercial companies and people who build or sell shareware must pay a fee of $5 per copy used. They charge me, so I'll charge them.
Copyright 1999 drs. Hans Luijten
Contacting me:
E-Mail: H.Luyten@tref.nl or Webmaster@hansie.tmfweb.nl
Homepage: http://leden.tref.nl/h.luyten and http://hansie.tmfweb.nl
Snail-Mail:
Hans Luyten
't Hofflandt 36
4851 TC Ulvenhout
Netherlands
Phone: +31-(0)76-5612926