Thunderbird:Message Signatures
The current Thunderbird signature system is lacking some simple improvements that could make it useful to most people.
Goals
There are a set of goals we need to achieve here, a single primary goal of making things simpler and easier and some secondary goals to improve the system for extending beyond our primary goal.
Primary
Improve the Thunderbird signature editor enough that any person could create a single default signature per account and easily have that signature inserted into their compose window.
Secondary
Encourage signature extensions which create a greater signature editing and inserting experience for users.
What we Have
We need to detail exactly what we have currently in Thunderbird so we can clearly understand where we are going and how we'll get there.
+------------------------------------------------------+ | <account settings main page> | | ... | | [ ] Attach this signature: | | [___________________________________] [ /Browse/ ] | | ... | +------------------------------------------------------+
Where we could go
Instead of only offering a file browse button where people have to create a signature file, place it somewhere safe, then find it from Thunderbird to use we could offer to store the signatures ourselves.
Improving the Settings Selection Process
With no signature selected the combobox choice is insensitive. See related mockup
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+------------------------------------------------------+ | <account settings main page> | | ... | | [ ] Use this signature: | | [ /Default Signature/ | v ] | | ... | +------------------------------------------------------+
With the checkbox selected the combobox becomes sensitive. See related mockup
.png){kind=link}
+------------------------------------------------------+ | <account settings main page> | | ... | | [x] Use this signature: | | [ Default Signature | v ] | | ... | +------------------------------------------------------+
Clicking on the combobox drop down offers a selection of defined signatures with a separator at the bottom offering to "Add or Edit Signatures..." which opens up a signature manager window. See related mockup
.png){kind=link}
+------------------------------------------------------+ | <account settings main page> | | ... | | [x] Use this signature: | | [ /Default Signature/ | v ] | | | | | | |Default Signature | | | |----------------------------| | | |Add or Edit Signatures... | | | +----------------------------+ | | ... | +------------------------------------------------------+
Further Ideas
With an icon beside the signature we could represent HTML vs. Plain Text signatures. This icon could also represent script signatures that create sigs on the fly.
Relevant Links
- Thunderbird:Collected_User_Requests#Better_signature_management
- Good suggestions for signature management
- Signature Block
- Some recommendations and info on sig blocks, not written very well
- Thunderbird Signature FAQs
- Howtos for plain-text and html sigs
- Creating a Signature in Thunderbird
- Nice step through which details a number of the gotchas
Relevant Extensions
Relevant Bugs
These bugs are for creating, editing, and using signatures in Thunderbird and MailNews
Thunderbird
- bug 324495 — put signature editing in UI (rather than select a file)
- contains patch waiting for review of reading sig from prefs
- has a number of screenshot of other signature editors from other apps
MailNews
- bug 58406 — [RFE] let user choose signature separator
- Lengthy bug, can people choose '--' to be at their signature heading
- bug 219197 — Put signature in UI textarea rather than selecting file
- asking for a simple editing window for signature creation
- bug 73567 — Ability to select from multiple signatures (global / per account?)
- Many mockups of signature managers and buttons for insertion
- bug 37644 — Show signature in collapsible pane for editing/switching
- ASCII mockups of a bottom pane for signatures