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Purpose of the signature

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USERNAME

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fellow MOA forum enthusiasts,

there has been some discussion lately about the signature guidelines we have here on the forums. some folks have been openly critical of having there ability to express themselves in their signature restricted.

i'd like to hear from you folks what you think the purpose of the signature is. what is your intent and what do you hope to accomplish with it?

i can tell you my view: it's like a bumper sticker on a car, not my autobiography.

what are your thoughts?
 
I look to a sig line to tell me the poster's name (email from "Mr. Bftfplx" is not very revealing) and locale. This is a BMW list, so I'm interested in what's in the garage. Cute, pithy mottos and quotes are OK, too.

But to the extent that the sig line is emotionally-charged, expresses a political opinion (or, worse, a polarizing political opinion), or in more than three words advertises the poster's for-profit business, I tend to not read them...and certainly to not respond.
 
I look to a sig line to tell me the poster's name (email from "Mr. Bftfplx" is not very revealing) and locale. This is a BMW list, so I'm interested in what's in the garage. Cute, pithy mottos and quotes are OK, too.

But to the extent that the sig line is emotionally-charged, expresses a political opinion (or, worse, a polarizing political opinion), or in more than three words advertises the poster's for-profit business, I tend to not read them...and certainly to not respond.

That, more or less, sums up my opinion on this. :thumb
 
fellow MOA forum enthusiasts,

there has been some discussion lately about the signature guidelines we have here on the forums. some folks have been openly critical of having there ability to express themselves in their signature restricted.

i'd like to hear from you folks what you think the purpose of the signature is. what is your intent and what do you hope to accomplish with it?

i can tell you my view: it's like a bumper sticker on a car, not my autobiography.

what are your thoughts?

It gives a snapshot of the user.

If the bb software can let me choose to make sig lines invisible, then it is a non issue. Those who don't like seeing them won't have to look.
 
yep

I look to a sig line to tell me the poster's name (email from "Mr. Bftfplx" is not very revealing) and locale. This is a BMW list, so I'm interested in what's in the garage. Cute, pithy mottos and quotes are OK, too.

But to the extent that the sig line is emotionally-charged, expresses a political opinion (or, worse, a polarizing political opinion), or in more than three words advertises the poster's for-profit business, I tend to not read them...and certainly to not respond.

Pretty much sums it up for me too!
 
It gives a snapshot of the user.

If the bb software can let me choose to make sig lines invisible, then it is a non issue. Those who don't like seeing them won't have to look.

You can turn off signatures, AND Avatars if you so please.
 
I may have missed the point. So long as the signature does not contain profanity, what does it matter how long it is or what someone puts in it?

Maybe a limit so that the sigs don't impact the format of the page, or to keep costs under control?

Allowing nicer format could actually benefit the appearance of the site. Signatures are often just as interesting as the posts.

If you have a small business, or a connection to a motorcycle related business, why shouldn't you put it into your sig? I plaster my business website all over EVERYTHING related. I prefer to know a person's connections and background. I can filter their posts based on their affiliation... or, I anonymously check out their site to see if I should do business with them.

A signature is a passive way to give more information about you and what you do. If this is in response to member content, then it is a bit draconian to limit signatures posted on a club forum simply because some members have apparently offended the moderator(s).

I don't mean any disrespect, but I think someone said it perfectly already, "this is a solution looking for a problem." If I had more free time, I could write all sorts of cool code to control what is posted on this forum, but I question whether it would make a positive impact.

The beauty of the Internet is the freedom it provides. With the help of moderators, the users of this forum facilitate more functional on-line relationships which ultimately curtails "cyber-balls" (the tendancy to be more agressive when on-line than would be socially acceptable when face-to-face).

If users don't like someone's signature, that person will probably hear about it. The choice is theirs to either adapt to the social setting, or to lose on-line social status and eventually be pushed out.

The forum should be no different than any other social interaction. Artificial intervention can only inhibit the natural group dynamic.
 
I like the very informative links that are part of the sig lines.

  • GlobalRider
  • Ted
  • JimVonBaden1
are three that quickly come to mind. On my SIG line I have added a link to Touring Tips which I hope guides members to buried Tips and Treasure. (Email or PM a Touring Tips <- Click Here for the Archives)

I do wish I could add a bit of color, like the above link to make good stuff stand out. If I can add it to the message, adding color to a SIG line should also be possible.

The SIG line is like a quick introduction to the forum member. The personal profile is available after that. If a SIG line is "out of order" that tells you something about the person making the post.
 
good stuff. keep it coming.

:eat

Hey Lee-
How do I get rid of the "burnout" word in my sig line, now that you've disabled the cool smilie symbol thing for 'burnout'???? Thank you in advance.
Bill
 
Hey Lee-
How do I get rid of the "burnout" word in my sig line, now that you've disabled the cool smilie symbol thing for 'burnout'???? Thank you in advance.
Bill

can you just edit your signature and delete the text?
 
can you just edit your signature and delete the text?
Tried that Lee. Went to CP, edit signature, delete the "burnout", save. And it comes right on back like a June bug to a light. Now what?
 
I want my sig to make the most staid think pornographic thoughts, make crusty old men cry and the most tender hearted women laugh. It's just who I am. Sue me.
:ha
 
It gives a snapshot of the user.

If the bb software can let me choose to make sig lines invisible, then it is a non issue. Those who don't like seeing them won't have to look.

what if you like looking at "snapshots" of the users but not pages full of garish photos/smilies/other BS in sig lines that look like they came from the ransom letter school of typography and graphic design?

ian
 
My sig line says this is what you need to know about me while reading my post. My name, my rides and my blog in case you want to know more. It's in blue cause my bikes are blue.
 
I want my sig to make the most staid think pornographic thoughts, make crusty old men cry and the most tender hearted women laugh. It's just who I am. Sue me.
:ha

well, then... this speaks to the need for balance.

what's next? an animated gif avatar of jessica simpson giving head to an ice cream cone? :ha

personally, i am not offended, but it's lee's job to strike a balance in the interests of those who are.
 
what's next? an animated gif avatar of jessica simpson giving head to an ice cream cone? :ha

That was a post, not a sig line, and I had not then nor do I now find jessica simpson objectionable when eating an ice cream cone with an enthusiasm understandably inherent in the decidedly vanilla infused nature of the task. :ha
 
That was a post, not a sig line, and I had not then nor do I now find jessica simpson objectionable when eating an ice cream cone with an enthusiasm understandably inherent in the decidedly vanilla nature of the task. :ha

and as everyone knows... it's ALL about you. :rofl

(and jessica simpson....) :heart
 
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