New signature rules

***Brian Turner*** · 22-11-2004, 09:42 PM

I'm going to be bringing in some changes to signature rules, and thought I'd moot them for public discussion.

I namely like the "standard" that seems to be going around many places - which is as follows:

- four lines max
- 2 links max
- no promo text
- no affiliate links
- no use of size of colour fonts.

How does that sound as a starter?

Here's why - too many signature links, lines, and formatting can damage the presentation of a forum. You only have to view those that allow images in signatures to see an example of how.

By setting up a standard for signatures, it makes the forum better presented, which benefits members reading threads.

For those who are concerned with the SEO aspect - as all recent forum threads are linked to from most pages on the site, that means some of these forum threads are going to have darn respectable PageRank - and fewer links on the any forum page means better weighting for those actual links. The benefits of that should be pretty clear.

Also - currently, members need to make 20 posts before being allowed to post URLs or even have a signature. I'm beginning to think that's too high, and should be dropped right down - possibly to 10, but perhaps even as low as 5. I only want to stop one-hit spammers, rather than be perceived to punish new members.

Anyway - feel free to dsicuss the ideas. Fair, firm, unreasonable? Feedback most welcome.

rtroxel · 22-11-2004, 10:52 PM

I always thought 20 messages was too high.

Angelis · 23-11-2004, 03:25 PM

I think 10 posts is good.

Eagle · 24-11-2004, 01:04 AM

I dunno... I always prefer forums that allow (reasonably sized) images in the sig.

Creative type... just ignore me!

g00gl3r · 30-11-2004, 01:21 AM

Where has my signature gone then

It's come back !?!?!?!?

***Brian Turner*** · 30-11-2004, 04:49 PM

I'll straighten out the last bugs very very soon.

smindsrt · 05-12-2004, 12:01 AM

IMO, to get the forum going more, give people an insentive to post!

Lower the number to 10 or none at all. Once the forum has picked up some up the number a bit!

***Brian Turner*** · 18-12-2004, 11:57 AM

Ability to post URLs and have a custom signature now reduced from 20 posts to 5.

22-11-2004, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Brian Turner* Business Guru Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Near Inverness, Highlands, Scotland Posts: 7,719	New signature rules I'm going to be bringing in some changes to signature rules, and thought I'd moot them for public discussion. I namely like the "standard" that seems to be going around many places - which is as follows: - four lines max - 2 links max - no promo text - no affiliate links - no use of size of colour fonts. How does that sound as a starter? Here's why - too many signature links, lines, and formatting can damage the presentation of a forum. You only have to view those that allow images in signatures to see an example of how. By setting up a standard for signatures, it makes the forum better presented, which benefits members reading threads. For those who are concerned with the SEO aspect - as all recent forum threads are linked to from most pages on the site, that means some of these forum threads are going to have darn respectable PageRank - and fewer links on the any forum page means better weighting for those actual links. The benefits of that should be pretty clear. Also - currently, members need to make 20 posts before being allowed to post URLs or even have a signature. I'm beginning to think that's too high, and should be dropped right down - possibly to 10, but perhaps even as low as 5. I only want to stop one-hit spammers, rather than be perceived to punish new members. Anyway - feel free to dsicuss the ideas. Fair, firm, unreasonable? Feedback most welcome. __________________ SEO specialist

22-11-2004, 10:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
rtroxel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bel Air, Maryland Posts: 414	Re: New signature rules I always thought 20 messages was too high.

23-11-2004, 03:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Angelis Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 222	Re: New signature rules I think 10 posts is good.

24-11-2004, 01:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Eagle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 223	Re: New signature rules I dunno... I always prefer forums that allow (reasonably sized) images in the sig. Creative type... just ignore me! __________________ • Logo Designer - Eagle Imagery™ • Business Forum - UK Business Labs

30-11-2004, 01:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
g00gl3r Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 42	Re: New signature rules Where has my signature gone then It's come back !?!?!?!? __________________ Regards, Dan Advanced Floor Heating UK Underfloor Heating UK \| UK DIY & Home Improvement Forums

30-11-2004, 04:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Brian Turner* Business Guru Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Near Inverness, Highlands, Scotland Posts: 7,719	Re: New signature rules I'll straighten out the last bugs very very soon. __________________ SEO specialist

05-12-2004, 12:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
smindsrt Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 29	Re: New signature rules IMO, to get the forum going more, give people an insentive to post! Lower the number to 10 or none at all. Once the forum has picked up some up the number a bit!

18-12-2004, 11:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
*Brian Turner* Business Guru Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Near Inverness, Highlands, Scotland Posts: 7,719	Re: New signature rules Ability to post URLs and have a custom signature now reduced from 20 posts to 5. __________________ SEO specialist

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