Vote for the usage of the Signature Feature

[MattD]

There has been some debate on the best way that the forums should utilize the signature feature. I figure we can bring it up to the masses, so I'm creating a poll.

As of now, every time someone posts, they must check a box in order for their signature to appear. They are also allowed to post their signature every time they post on a single page of a thread.

We have the capabilities to:
1. Default the signature feature to "yes" so that when you post if you would not like for your signature to appear, you may disable it
2. Implement a feature so that a signature appears only once per person on a single page of a thread

This means we have 4 options, of which are included in this poll. Let your opinion be heard.

(Option 2 is the current system)

[dhama]

Personally I would like to see signitures posted only once in each thread.... It looks rediculous when you see the same signature time after time as you read through a thread.

What would be nice, is to have the column with the members profile back on the left hand side, and also have avatars.... I have them on my forum and they look great even when the are repeated each time the person posts.

The rule on signatures should be a little more flexible... if a signature is a few pixels out, or if it's a few k over the limit.

I'd also like a free Eidos goodies pack each time I post.

Thankyou.

[Solange]

Lol!

I'm not too bothered either way when it comes to sig, the luxury of being on broadband I guess. What I do miss a LOT though is what dhama mentions; the member profile on the left hand side of the post. Now, if a post is just one line, it tends to drown among the other posts. With profile on the side, the thread becomes a few lines "longer" and is therefore less easy to miss. Another point to that is that the sig size that we use here is based on that kind of skin, so the sig usually (depending on resolution, window and monitor size of course) filled most of the width of the post. Now it looks slightly odd that the width of the sig is so much narrower than the thread.

Here is an example from TRLE.net on how it looks with the profile on the side. This can of course be done without avatars, and just keep basic info as member/mod, location, bday etc.

[Sophia Leigh]

Originally Posted by dhama

What would be nice, is to have the column with the members profile back on the left hand side, and also have avatars.... I have them on my forum and they look great even when the are repeated each time the person posts.

I completely agree with and I think avatars add a little bit of extra personality to forums.

[Nerevar]

Since the matter of avatars has been brought up (again): I continually fail to see the rationale behind this desire for an abundant use of undue embellishments (granted, I said the opposite when they turned off signatures aeons and many forums ago). One should expect the raison d'être of a forum to be a vehicle for debate conveyed in a textual manner. Graphical, or additional textual, elements wanting a relevant relation to the message are often, if not always, superfluous. I, for one, strongly object to any further increase in the use of graphical elements - they belong in a comic book, not on a forum with any respect for itself. Thence I also voted: Signature defaulted to no/Signature only appears once per thread page.

[Driber]

Originally Posted by dhama

is to have the column with the members profile back on the left hand side

all in due time

but.....this poll is for sigs, lets keep it on topic, shall we

[Tipsko]

I voted:

Signature defaulted to yes/Signature only appears once per thread page

threads become too long and too messy if a sig pops up in every post. What more needs to be said

[dhama]

Originally Posted by Driber

all in due time

but.....this poll is for sigs, lets keep it on topic, shall we

I think it's relevent to this topic mate, and why not sort everything in one go anyway.

[dhama]

Originally Posted by Nerevar

I continually fail to see the rationale behind this desire for an abundant use of undue embellishments ..........

No one said it should be compulsary for everyone.

[Nerevar]

Originally Posted by dhama

No one said it should be compulsary for everyone.

True, but the option for those who do not desire the abundant use of signatures and/or avatars to turn that particular feature off ought to be immaterial in the evaluation of the pros and cons of the suggested system, since that argument otherwise would become a slide to implementing any feature whatsoever regardless of the bearing of the objections to the contrary.

[dhama]

Originally Posted by Nerevar

The option for those who do desire the abundant use of signatures and/or avatars to turn that particular feature on ought to be material in the evaluation of the pros and cons of the suggested system, since that argument otherwise would become a slide to implementing any feature whatsoever regardless of the bearing of the objections to the contrary.

There.. thats better.

[susan]

I side more with Nerevar. I like looking at people's signatures but prefer a less busy-looking forum. On some forums I've seen it can get way too much, it's a jumble of pictures and quotations confusing the actual conversation.

I think the balance here is fine - people can express themselves if they want to and it's not too much on the viewing senses.

[dhama]

Originally Posted by Susan

people can express themselves if they want to.....

Curiously, i've always though that was never entirely the case..

[Jeffers]

I'd like signatures turned back onto yes, simply because I keep forgetting to turn mine on and I miss seeing the signatures like we used to.

I'm not to bothered about it being under every post (although thats the option I picked) but with the options to stop viewing signatures/avatars/images under the control panel in edit options I'd like to see it turned on again in anycase.

Jeffers

[marker227]

I go with #3.


Signature defaulted to yes/Signature only appears once per thread page


I also think that you shouldn't be allowed to show your signature more then once per thread.
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[TracK*]

I'm glad this thread was made

But I really hope you all pick option four. An earlier post made a good point. We could add some color and personality to users signatures being showed more often. Maybe its because i'm a part time graphic designer, but I like to see people's signatures all the time. This has been the first community i've seen where signature viewing meant so much you all. Making the signature box default being off really handicaps them from usings signatures due to the fact NO ONE wants to keep hitting that check box everytime. I've never seen anything like that except here. I'm really trying to be as straight forward as I can about this but it shouldn't be that extreme to the users to not show signatures all the time. Trust me everyone it is not as bad as you may think and if these signatures and texts do get out of line, I know moderators will be on standby waiting to discipline those that don't follow forum guidelines.

So from here on out, lets vote more for the 4th choice.

Thank you

[Smoke_Z]

Default no, allowed to post signatures as much as they want.

However, people should be encouraged to use discretion on their sig. If they're posting in a rapid-fire nonsense thread, they shouldn't be using it every time.

[marker227]

Originally Posted by Smoke_Z

Default no, allowed to post signatures as much as they want.

However, people should be encouraged to use discretion on their sig. If they're posting in a rapid-fire nonsense thread, they shouldn't be using it every time.

So they could change it to like 5 signatures a thread? (thats yours)

[L Croft]

I voted for 'Signature defaulted to yes/Signature only appears once per thread page' as I like to see peoples sigs but scrolling past them three times per page is irrataing.

[Deekman]

Signature defaulted to no/Signature can appear multiple times per thread page.
I like having to actually have a say in whether or not I use my sig in any given post. I like the sig options just the way they are.
Besides, my sig is short and fun.

[marker227]

How about?

"Default no, But signature can appear only 3 different times in a thread? Depending on how many pages it is."

[TracK*]

I just want you guys to give it a try. If it gets to ridiculous and just hogs up space and turn it back to the way it was.

[MattD]

I never posted my opinions on this matter, and figured since the poll is coming to an end soon, I'll chime in real quick.

Off Topic
-I like the profile on the left, and actually am looking into a way to have it so there is an option where you can choose to have it on the left, or on the top. Might take some time before it appears though.

On Topic
-As far as graphical changes to the forum, I am big time in favor of it. However I am also in favor of keeping everyone on the forum happy, or as many as possible. So if features are implemented that change the graphical layout of the forums, I will do my best to preserve selectable skin/options for members that like the old school. If it's a selectable option it allows everyone to have something that they prefer.

So, as far as my vote, I went for option 3. I think that signature usage should be encouraged, however not clutter up the threads, should members post repeatedly and use their sig. Should someone be opposed to viewing signatures, they can turn off the feature for themselves. Its a nice middle ground between the two groups.

[TracK*]

Thanks Matt, I agree with you for the most part. I just can't wait until you change it

[MattD]

Should be all changed now. If anyone is having problems with it, let me know cause I might need to troubleshoot it.

Thanks to all for voting.