Every email sent from an academic address ending in @ac-aix-marseille.fr carries an image. Without a signature, the recipient receives an anonymous message, lacking purpose, contact information, and affiliation. Creating a professional signature on Aix-Marseille’s email takes just a few minutes and enhances the readability of all outgoing communications.
Roundcube Aix-Marseille and Signature: What the Technical Configuration Implies
The Aix-Marseille academic email operates on Roundcube, the webmail recommended by the academy. It is within this interface that the signature can be set up most easily, without extensions or third-party tools.
The signature created in Roundcube does not always display in Outlook or Thunderbird. This is related to how these clients retrieve data from the account. The Aix-Marseille email uses secure servers: imap.ac-aix-marseille.fr on port 993 using SSL/TLS for receiving, and smtp.ac-aix-marseille.fr on port 465 using SSL/TLS for sending.
These IMAP and SMTP settings ensure synchronization, but the signature remains stored on the client side. If you configure your signature in Roundcube, it will not automatically appear in Thunderbird, and vice versa.
The best practice is to create the signature in each tool you use. If you primarily use the academic webmail, set it up directly in Roundcube. You can also follow the detailed steps to create a signature on the Aix-Marseille email with Apprendissimo to follow a guided path tailored to the academic environment.
Setting Up the Signature in the Aix-Marseille Roundcube Webmail
Log in to the webmail with your academic credentials. From the Roundcube interface, click on the “Settings” icon (gear icon at the top right), then select the “Identities” section from the side menu.
Your default identity appears with your @ac-aix-marseille.fr address. By clicking on it, a “Signature” field appears at the bottom of the form. This is where everything happens.
Choosing Between Plain Text and HTML
Roundcube offers two modes. The plain text mode displays the signature as is, without formatting. The HTML mode allows you to add bold text, clickable links, or a logo. For a readable professional signature, the HTML format provides a more structured output.
Check the “HTML Signature” box if it is available. A mini-editor appears, similar to a simplified word processor. You can type your signature block directly there.
The Information to Include in the Academic Signature
An effective signature does not overload the message. It identifies the sender and provides a means of contact.
- First and last name, followed by the exact position (teacher, CPE, administrative staff, school principal)
- Affiliated institution and, if relevant, the municipality or district
- Professional phone number (institution’s main line or direct line)
- Website address of the institution, in the form of a clickable HTML link
Avoid adding a quote, a heavy graphic banner, or decorative icons. Simplicity enhances credibility in an academic setting.
Signature on Thunderbird or Outlook with an Aix-Marseille Account
If you prefer a mail client installed on your computer, the signature is configured separately from Roundcube. The principle remains the same: write a text block that automatically inserts itself under each new message.
Thunderbird: HTML File or Direct Entry
In Thunderbird, open the account settings (menu “Edit” then “Account Settings”). Under the identity linked to your academic address, a “Signature Text” field appears. You can type your signature directly or check “Use HTML” to enhance the formatting.
A more flexible option: prepare the signature in a separate .html file and associate it with the account via the “Attach a signature file” button. This method allows you to modify the file without reopening the settings each time.
Outlook: Two Paths Depending on the Version
In classic Outlook (desktop), go to File, then Options, then Mail, then Signatures. Create a new signature, name it, and write the content in the built-in editor. Then associate it with the Aix-Marseille IMAP account you have configured with the academy’s server settings.
In the web version of Outlook (if your institution provides access), the path goes through Settings, then “View all Outlook settings,” then Mail, then “Compose and reply.” Be sure to check the automatic addition to new messages and replies.
Common Mistakes That Break Signature Display
Why does your signature display correctly on your end but appears distorted to the recipient? Several recurring causes exist.
- Pasting directly from Word or a DTP software injects unwanted HTML code. The rendering becomes unpredictable depending on the recipient’s email client. Prefer direct entry in the Roundcube or Thunderbird editor.
- Inserting a signature image as an attachment instead of hosting it online results in a paperclip being visible in every email, which some anti-spam filters misinterpret.
- Using an exotic non-standard font (like script or fancy) causes a replacement with a default font on the recipient’s machine, disrupting alignment.
The most reliable format remains simple HTML text with a single standard font (Arial, Verdana, or Helvetica), a readable size, and a hyperlink to the institution’s website rather than a clickable image.
A professional signature on the Aix-Marseille email does not need to be sophisticated to fulfill its role. A clear block, consistent with the academic context, configured in both Roundcube and in your external client if you use one, is sufficient to ensure that every sent message carries the correct contact information.