8 ms·

I've been using the sign feature in Preview on Mac for a while now and love it. I no longer use a printer. Nice to see someone remove the download, save, and

I've been using the sign feature in Preview on Mac for a while now and love it. I no longer use a printer. Nice to see someone remove the download, save, and attach step. Every time I use Preview, I can't help but feel like the entire idea of a signature is archaic and strange. In effect, I'm forging my own signature with Preview, and nobody cares. While I'm at it, I wish I could not only "sign" the document, but sign it in e-blood and maybe add a skeuomorphic graphic that seals the email in paraffin wax with a old english stamp of my initials. Or maybe someone can figure out how to get us beyond signatures.

b_emery 14y ago
Thanks - I didn't even know it was an option. Apparently it is on Lion and above (which is 10.7 for those of us who can't keep their cat's straight). Here's a link to how it works: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20082711-285/how-to-use-preview-in-os-x-lion-to-digitally-sign-documents/ http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20082711-285/how-to-use-...
samaparicio 14y ago
Just to point out that when you send a PDF document signed with Preview, I can open that document, extract your signature, and paste it in any other PDF that I want to. For me, this makes it too dangerous to use.
- jsmeaton 14y ago
  Couldn't they just scan/cut/paste a regularly signed signature? I know it makes the process harder - but someone determined..
  - joenathan 14y ago
    Or just screenshot it.
- js2 14y ago
  The PDF can be flattened by printing, then saving from the print dialog.
- beering 14y ago
  As opposed to regular docs, where I can photograph/scan/screenshot your signature and paste it in?
- EwanToo 14y ago
  Unlike say a photocopier and a pair of scissors, or cutting a pasting a screenshot of a scanned document? It's always been trivial to forge a signature to pass cursory examination, this is just another easy way.
timfrietas 14y ago
If you're interested in what modern day philosophers think of signatures (spoiler: they also think they are strange) check out Limited, Inc. by Jacques Derrida.
balbaugh 14y ago
Interesting factoid. In many states, the important thing about signatures is the intent of the signatory. Did they intend for said mark, whatever it may be, to be their signature?? If yes, then it is just that. So, for example, you could just write or type a letter "x" and you would be fine.
- jaggederest 14y ago
  Finding that out, I've increasingly been prone to putting little drawings next to my name.
- saturdaysaint 14y ago
  Interesting - is there a public listing of which states this is true?
davedx 14y ago
What's really strange is, AFAIK, typing your name in an electronic document is just as legally binding as inserting an image of your handwritten signature, yet many companies won't accept this, and insist instead on an image of my handwritten signature. Any lawyers care to clarify on the law here?
- eru 14y ago
  > What's really strange is, AFAIK, typing your name in an electronic document is just as legally binding as inserting an image of your handwritten signature, [...] Which jurisdiction are you talking about?

b_emery 14y ago

Thanks - I didn't even know it was an option. Apparently it is on Lion and above (which is 10.7 for those of us who can't keep their cat's straight). Here's a link to how it works: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20082711-285/how-to-use-preview-in-os-x-lion-to-digitally-sign-documents/ http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20082711-285/how-to-use-...

samaparicio 14y ago

Just to point out that when you send a PDF document signed with Preview, I can open that document, extract your signature, and paste it in any other PDF that I want to. For me, this makes it too dangerous to use.

jsmeaton 14y ago
Couldn't they just scan/cut/paste a regularly signed signature? I know it makes the process harder - but someone determined..
- joenathan 14y ago
  Or just screenshot it.
js2 14y ago
The PDF can be flattened by printing, then saving from the print dialog.
beering 14y ago
As opposed to regular docs, where I can photograph/scan/screenshot your signature and paste it in?
EwanToo 14y ago
Unlike say a photocopier and a pair of scissors, or cutting a pasting a screenshot of a scanned document? It's always been trivial to forge a signature to pass cursory examination, this is just another easy way.

timfrietas 14y ago

If you're interested in what modern day philosophers think of signatures (spoiler: they also think they are strange) check out Limited, Inc. by Jacques Derrida.

balbaugh 14y ago

Interesting factoid. In many states, the important thing about signatures is the intent of the signatory. Did they intend for said mark, whatever it may be, to be their signature?? If yes, then it is just that. So, for example, you could just write or type a letter "x" and you would be fine.

jaggederest 14y ago
Finding that out, I've increasingly been prone to putting little drawings next to my name.
saturdaysaint 14y ago
Interesting - is there a public listing of which states this is true?

davedx 14y ago

What's really strange is, AFAIK, typing your name in an electronic document is just as legally binding as inserting an image of your handwritten signature, yet many companies won't accept this, and insist instead on an image of my handwritten signature. Any lawyers care to clarify on the law here?

eru 14y ago
> What's really strange is, AFAIK, typing your name in an electronic document is just as legally binding as inserting an image of your handwritten signature, [...] Which jurisdiction are you talking about?