Hi Everyone,
I wanted to start a conversation about signatures, let you know what I was thinking, and get your comments as well.
The signature feature allows you to have a pre-set message automatically inserted at the bottom of every post (this setting is part of your profile). We've been fairly open about the use of these signatures, only asking people to shorten them when they get out of control, or remove advertisements or other questionable material. We've also been pretty easy about the use of non-sequiturs (a "non-sequitur" would be something like random Simpson's quotes, your personal philosphy on life, or other random non-topic stuff). We've also been pretty easy about the use of including links in your sig, but even now those are getting out of control.
Frankly, I get pretty tired of seeing signatures that are longer than some people's posts. I also dont think anyone's really impressed or amused with some of the "cuter" statements out there. I have personally asked some people to please edit or cut down their signatures, and most people have been pretty nice about it. Only one person got really upset with me and left because he felt I insulted his sensitivities and his right to post whatever he wants.
My thoughts on the whole matter:
1) You can use your signature to identify yourself. Use your real name if you so wish, and your title if you have one (Moderator of ___ Forum, for instance).
2) I would like to see links removed from signatures and put where they belong: the "www" field in your profile. Every post you make will have a "www" button that links to whatever you point it to. We frown on advertisements (even if its a railroad-related product), but if you want to put the link to your company in the "www" field, that's fine.
3) I would like to see us cut back on the non-sequiturs. Even the sequiturs. that means all the TV quotes, your allegiance to your favorite railroad/locomotive, your views on the current political situation, and your "Keep On Truckin"'s.
I don't want to stifle creativity, but look at it this way. Don't you think these signature statements lose their meaning once you see them on this site multiple times? Telling us about your favorite loco is very cool- but after seeing it at the bottom of 400 posts, does it still have the same meaning?
Work with me here. We're asking for a little bit of restraint and self-control. What do you think?
-otto-
I wanted to start a conversation about signatures, let you know what I was thinking, and get your comments as well.
The signature feature allows you to have a pre-set message automatically inserted at the bottom of every post (this setting is part of your profile). We've been fairly open about the use of these signatures, only asking people to shorten them when they get out of control, or remove advertisements or other questionable material. We've also been pretty easy about the use of non-sequiturs (a "non-sequitur" would be something like random Simpson's quotes, your personal philosphy on life, or other random non-topic stuff). We've also been pretty easy about the use of including links in your sig, but even now those are getting out of control.
Frankly, I get pretty tired of seeing signatures that are longer than some people's posts. I also dont think anyone's really impressed or amused with some of the "cuter" statements out there. I have personally asked some people to please edit or cut down their signatures, and most people have been pretty nice about it. Only one person got really upset with me and left because he felt I insulted his sensitivities and his right to post whatever he wants.
My thoughts on the whole matter:
1) You can use your signature to identify yourself. Use your real name if you so wish, and your title if you have one (Moderator of ___ Forum, for instance).
2) I would like to see links removed from signatures and put where they belong: the "www" field in your profile. Every post you make will have a "www" button that links to whatever you point it to. We frown on advertisements (even if its a railroad-related product), but if you want to put the link to your company in the "www" field, that's fine.
3) I would like to see us cut back on the non-sequiturs. Even the sequiturs. that means all the TV quotes, your allegiance to your favorite railroad/locomotive, your views on the current political situation, and your "Keep On Truckin"'s.
I don't want to stifle creativity, but look at it this way. Don't you think these signature statements lose their meaning once you see them on this site multiple times? Telling us about your favorite loco is very cool- but after seeing it at the bottom of 400 posts, does it still have the same meaning?
Work with me here. We're asking for a little bit of restraint and self-control. What do you think?
-otto-
Last edited by Otto Vondrak on Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Moderator: New York State Railfan :: New York Central :: Toy Trains
NYW&B Fan Site :: A Magazine I Read Often :: A Museum I Volunteer At
Moderator: New York State Railfan :: New York Central :: Toy Trains
NYW&B Fan Site :: A Magazine I Read Often :: A Museum I Volunteer At
, alongside buttons for your email, AIM screen name, and any other information you wish to share. When people click on that button, it will take them to whatever URL you have specified in your profile.
