[Drabdr]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

How about we have a limitation where a user has to have a number of posts, at least 50, before they can create signatures. This would solve the random spam problem and still allow the other ones for long time members?

That's a good one.

Other than that- no links in signatures. It's much simpler enforcing an easy rule.

1. Very few people take the time to read and click on those anyway. Signatures can get really busy, really distracting, really quick.

2. If I'm really interested in a particular poster, I'll go to their profile page. To me, things like websites and such ought to go in their profile.

If someone is really helpful, people will go to their profile page to find out more. Then, the person has much more freedom in promoting their wares.

There is plenty of ads here already.

Seriously, though, I believe the only ads that should be here are ones that solely provide support for this site.

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by LauraMJ

I agree with John's suggestion, though I don't think the post count needs to be quite that high.

Actually, setting it too low will not accomplish the goal. It's hard to imagine that a regular user that is coming here won't accumulate 50 posts pretty quickly. Also, a new user coming for tech help doesn't need a signature to accomplish that goal.

[hewee]

Originally Posted by TechGuy

FYI, my quote from a recent thread:

I know I got something started in that thread but I was seeing spam or looking tru the gray area as you said so wonder why it was not spam.

[aka Brett]

No hyperlinks in first post
no sig for 5 days

[Frank4d]

I am also thinking spammers who post hyperlinks in theads or signatures aren't always interested in people clicking them.

Their goal is to have them picked up by the search engines. The more threads they post, and on as many domains as possible, all the better to move their site to the top of search engine results.

No hyperlinks in first post and no sig for 5 days would take care of 99% of them.

[dotty999]

although a lot of us have sigs what is the point of them? if it's interesting info then you can have it in your profile for those who want to know more, other than that, doing away with them altogether would go towards stopping the spammers taking such an interest

[aka Brett]

Many people have websites that help people just as this one or have many useful articles with fixes and tweaks...they put them in their sig..to do away with sigs altogether punishes the innocent so to say. Its kind of a professional courtesy to allow linking. Spammers will always be a thorn and have to be dealt with to a certain level

[dotty999]

the majority of sigs here don't have such info including yours and mine,some had gotten out of hand and were dealt with apart from watching for spammers.

Fixes and tweaks can be incorporated in the appropriate threads so if someone is looking for something specific, it will be easier to find or simply do a search.

[Blackmirror]

Whats a sig?

[aka Brett]

True
But to do away with them entirely,would do away with the professional courtesy of legit member with sites of value

[Blackmirror]

So i can put a link for all the forums i love
what about ones to avoid like the plague lol

[dotty999]

Originally Posted by aka Brett

True
But to do away with them entirely,would do away with the professional courtesy of legit member with sites of value

as you say it's a courtesy which has IMO been exploited by many.

It's still an idea to include interesting links in the appropriate forums rather than see them in signatures.

[aka Brett]

Its gets abused for sure

[dotty999]

the old adage " give some an inch and they will take a yard" seems appropriate, it's what spoils it for others and unfortunately, occurs on a daily basis.

[Noyb]

I'll vote for 50 posts ..