Images in signatures

[Techokami]

Just out of curiousity, why exactly are images disabled in signatures? It seems quite wierd and restrictive. IMHO, having images disabled in signatures because of people on slower connections sounds like a good idea on paper, but if you go to User CP -> Edit Options then scroll down, you'll see this:
http://something.gdarcade.taloncrossing.com/tech_junk/how_to_turn_sigs_off.png
So if people don't like 'em, they can turn 'em off. They can even do the same to avatars and images in posts, which would help 56Kers.

So yeah, why are images disabled in signatures? =/

[FriedChips]

I haven't seen a 56k connection in years now :rolleyes: those are slow or something right?

[Techokami]

I haven't seen a 56k connection in years now :rolleyes: those are slow or something right?
Apparently so. And yes, there are still people in this world that use it, for certain reasons (DSL/Cable not available in their area, cheaper, etc).

[Dan]

I think there are a few other reasons too.

I've seen some forums which allow signature graphics. I also note it's a constant battle to keep 'em clean and appropriate, and most of them are a cacophonous mess.


Dan

[JN4OldSchool]

I belong to the Awana forum, which, by nature is full of teens. (Me and the wife are Awana leaders...) But anyway, you should see some of those sig images. On girl has an image that takes up half the screen. All clean mind you, but what a mess. Just be happy they allow avatars and leave it at that. :)

[bob]

Got to remember that Ewdi's financially backing the Forum and he's set the rules that we all agreed to. He does review this Forum and I'm sure he'll notice this thread and may consider a change,

[Techokami]

Yes, I do agree that keeping signatures neat and tidy among users is a bit of a pain (especially on larger boards like this one), but then again, if you set out signature limitations as part of the forum guidelines, you'll have reasons to smack someone upside the head (figuratively, of course) if they don't abide by them. You know, things like:
-Can't have any images bigger than 400 pixels by 100 pixels
-Can't have any images bigger than 300KB
-Can't have more than 5 images
-Can't have inappropriate content (your signature still falls under the rest of the forum guidelines)
You know, that kind of stuff.

[Seve]

Hello:
Just out of curiosity ?

What would be some of the reasons for having Images in signatures ?

Seve

[Techokami]

1) Some people are artistic, and may want to show off a little something in their messages.
2) A small 88x31 image to use for linking to a person's website (or a website they really like), because just seeing a plain text link isn't always appealing.
3) Dynamic signature images, because you can't fetch dynamic text lines for a signature. One example of this is the signature I use on virtually all forums, which shows the past 7 or so shouts in a shoutbox I have on my webspace.

[Seve]

Hello:

I just don't see how allowing images in one's signature would add anything constructive to the content of the forum?

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I just see it as additional fluff.

Seve

[bob]

Just as info, we don't allow non-related site links as a norm. There's a fine line between a personal site and spam and we try to make sure it's not crossed. Graphical depictions would further blur the line. I have seen your gaming bio & the graphics for your site and I also notice that there are quite a few other sites that you have joined where it's not used or perhaps not permitted.

As I said, if Ewdi wants to do it, that's his call and the CM's and Admins are not the ones making the decisions in the matter. Thanks for your recommendation, perhaps you'll see it happen when Ewdi makes other changes.

[Techokami]

@Seve: Sadly, the era of streamlined newsgroups being community centers on the internet has ended. Welcome to the era of images and fast internet connections. :P

@bob: Woah, that uh, that felt like spying there. :X But to respond to what you see:
1) Some forums have similar restrictions, but aren't open at all in any way, shape, or form to suggestions.
2) I've removed my signature due to abuse in the aformentioned shoutbox. For the most part I can eliminate spammers easily, but then there are ones that use proxies. In that case, just taking out the signature is far easier than dealing with jerks on the internet.
3) I'm lazy and haven't added a profile yet. I register on forums usually so I can read messages, maybe ask a question or two, or chip in a few words. But there are only a handful of communities I'm actually active on.

Well, alright. There are times to know when it is wise to retreat and fight another day. This happens to be one of those times. So I'm just going to surrender for now from this suggestion, and wait for the sysadmin to give his word on the matter. Instead I'll just poke around the tech support boards and try to pass on the wisdom I have earned in Linux over the years.

[bob]

Not spying, my friend - just google yourself! You have quite a few links and a bit of notoriaty!

[Techokami]

Haha, well thanks then :P

[sailor]

Yup...I notice if I google "sailor,fedora" the first hit is my signature for this forum...:p

[bob]

Alas, googling "bob" has no such perfection. Among the top links are Bob's Trailers & Strollers, Microsoft Bob, What About Bob, Bob The Angry Flower and.... "press your ears against Bob's holes and see what sounds come out". (Oh well, at least there's one..... :D )

[GallComp]

@Seve: Sadly, the era of streamlined newsgroups being community centers on the internet has ended. Welcome to the era of images and fast internet connections. :P

Also welcome the era of thousands of users login in and viewing our One million+ posts every day. Just add 100Kb extra per view per user to our bandwidth and take in consideration that it is ONE individual the one paying for it. Not quite fair in the era of fast internet connections.

[Techokami]

@GallComp: Very true, except how would that affect the bandwith of this server if the images weren't stored on it? o.o
In other words, how does fetching something from a remote server affect the bandwith of this one, aside from the few extra bytes of HTML code that loads the image in the user's browser?

As for paying for the server, do what Something Awful does: charge users! Or at least push for donations a lot harder =P

[GallComp]

It is common for sites that allow signatures to host them in their server, outside hosting cold open a different kind of wormcan. Besides images in the signature area will mess up the simple easy to follow layout of the site.

Think of the extra load of work involved in allowing signatures (propper content, propper size, tons of threads asking how to get one, ...)

[Dan]

Hmmm.

I think you're beating a dead horse here, Techokami.

As Bob stated, it's Ewdi's call. And for what it's worth, even though this is by no means a democracy, you may consider this a vote to keep things the way they are.


Dan
(Insert animated signature graphic of a spider sitting in front of a keyboard typing with two front legs.)



.

[rjstaaf]

I see it this way, are images in the signature worth the extra effort is going to put on the moderators? To be frank, signature images bring to mind images of skater or gamer sites, is that something we want here? I think the potential for abuse is high and the benefit to the community low. My vote would be a no if anyone cares what I think :)

[Wayne]

The horse is long dead and is now being turned into 'ba-zashi' (horse meat sushi) Yuck!

Wayne

[Cue]

Oh, I don't think signature images are really that important. Bigger avatars otoh would be a good idea imo. Nothing freaky large, just about 100px. Not that that's important either, but the difference from now would be trivial.

[samserious]

I agree. Signature images are not that important. For that matter, even signatures aren't. However, I think rather than allowing people to upload pictures that do not show up, it's better not to let them upload pictures.. i.e. do away with the option.

P.S. I tried to upload a really small image of a boy standing by a wall (for my signature) that weighed 7 KB.. (sigh)

[Demz]

this thread should be closed since its about 2 years old

[Wayne]

Thread closed. Not really an important topic any more...

Wayne

[leigh123linux]

Thread closed. Not really an important topic any more...

Wayne


It's no longer relevant as the forum now allows images in signatures .