# Posters you can't stand. Pit rules f\*\*\*ing apply! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 20, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003 "2008-12-20T00:14:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 31
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/601 "2009-01-01T20:40:48Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > What about JUST a name? If that’s the interpretation of the rules nowdays, I’ll abide by it, but it’s (to the best of my knowledge) never been the rule in the past. If it’s the same text at the end of each post, it’s a signature and needs to restricted to once per thread. This includes names. > [@sailor](#): > > May I ask why it is not being enforced when the obvious ones are flouting it openly? Did you report the post? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/602 "2009-01-01T21:15:10Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > If it’s the same text at the end of each post, it’s a signature and needs to restricted to once per thread. This includes names. It never included them before. I’ll abide by this as of course, but I’m curious when/why was this change made. It hasn’t been this way for 9 years and about 2000+ of my previous posts. What prompted a “no name at the end of your post” rule to be created? (Again, I can’t think of a single instance where this rule was used to stop you from signing your post with a name and not an epigraph.) Why does signing your posts suddenly “jerkish” and needs a rule after 9 years without one? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/603 "2009-01-01T21:15:52Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > If it’s the same text at the end of each post, it’s a signature and needs to restricted to once per thread. This includes names. This is a stupid rule. A very, very stupid rule which is being dragged out and dusted off now simply because of a highly vocal minority. Also, the actual rule, as written, appears to allow once per _page_, although once per thread is preferred. If this has changed, then the rule should be edited to reflect that. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/604 "2009-01-01T21:35:07Z")
The uproar, tempest in a teapot though it may have been, is purely political in my opinion. If **Shodan** had been posting from the leftward point of view, the issue would never have been raised. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/605 "2009-01-01T21:41:05Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > It never included them before. I’ll abide by this as of course, but I’m curious when/why was this change made. It hasn’t been this way for 9 years and about 2000+ of my previous posts. I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find a definition of a signature that doesn’t include an actual signature, so yes it did include manually-typed signatures. We just haven’t enforced the rule in that manner. Now we are, which is fair to everyone and doesn’t give an exception to those who don’t include their signatures in the user profile signature field. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/606 "2009-01-01T21:47:01Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > Now we are, which is fair to everyone… In what bizarro universe is this fair to the people who have inoffensively signed off their posts with their names for _years_? First of all, as I stated earlier, it’s a stupid rule (and you still haven’t addressed the question of why it was instated in the first place). Secondly, if you simply must have it, there’s no reason you can’t word it such that longwinded and/or obnoxious signatures are curtailed while allowing poster who simply sign their name out of habit get a pass. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/607 "2009-01-01T21:55:50Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > Tomato, tomahto, let’s call the whole thing off! > FWIW, I think **sailor** was being rather rude and strident himself. Be that as it may, he started it is not a valid excuse. I don’t think anyone here is holding tightly to any moral high ground. > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > The uproar, tempest in a teapot though it may have been, is purely political in my opinion. If **Shodan** had been posting from the leftward point of view, the issue would never have been raised. My understanding is that **Shodan** and everyone else had come to a satisfactory resolution regarding regards. **Vox’s** arrival appears to have touched off a powder keg and **Shodan** just got caught in the crossfire. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/608 "2009-01-01T21:58:56Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Be that as it may, he started it is not a valid excuse. Good thing no one was claiming it is, then, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/609 "2009-01-01T22:04:49Z")
And what is the point of this rule? More particularly, I have been doing it for six years and more, with nary a peep from any mod. Why now? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/610 "2009-01-01T22:08:47Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find a definition of a signature that doesn’t include an actual signature, so yes it did include manually-typed signatures. We just haven’t enforced the rule in that manner. Now we are, which is fair to everyone and doesn’t give an exception to those who don’t include their signatures in the user profile signature field. [The usenet](http://www.newsdemon.com/usenet_term_sig.php). One signs ones name to the post. Then one puts a "-- " after that, whereupon one puts one signature block (or “sig”). This can include a pgp encryption key, an epigram or contact info. And that fits much more closely with **Dex’s** earlier-quoted rule. A sig-block is far different from signing one’s name. And 'till now, that’s always been the interpretation used. Again, I’m not disputing your right to make this rule–you’re an admin. I accept it and will certainly follow it, but I do dispute that a rule that was _never_ enforced or interpreted in a particular way has always been there. This is the one thing that really bothers me about SDMB moderation. Digging out and dusting off an old rule that hasn’t been applied in a given way and saying “Well, it was ALWAYS that way, we just never enforced it before” bothers me. (Yeah, yeah–I won’t let the door hit me…etc. 😉 ) This rule (or interpretation thereof) has never existed until now and if I may make a suggestion to avoid this from turning into another thing like the recent one with **Lynn** –update the rules sticky with this. It’s unreasonable to expect people to stumble into page whatever of a multi-page thread to find a new rule (or new interpretation of a rule). I’m also curious how signing one’s post falls under the “Don’t be a jerk” meta-rule that other rules stem from. Epigrams? Yeah…I get that. But why does 6 letters at the end of my post _NEED_ a rule? I can call someone a “goat-sucking, cum-belching, gutter-slut” and it’s ok in the pit, but I can’t put “Fenris” at the end of my post in the same thread twice because all of a sudden…why? Who’s delicate sensibilities (other than **Sailor’s** ) are being offended by 6 letters at the end of a post? To me, there’s a disconnect here. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/611 "2009-01-01T22:11:53Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Good thing no one was claiming it is, then, huh? I inferred from **fisha’s** comment that she thought **sailor** was being rude as well. Maybe she thought I was being unfair toward you and **Shodan**. I thought she meant that the comments you two made were ok because **sailor** was being rude. And I disagree with that idea. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/612 "2009-01-01T22:13:06Z")
No, they’re ok because it’s in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/613 "2009-01-01T22:18:50Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > No, they’re ok because it’s in the Pit. Yes, thank you for reminding us of where we are. Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you necessarily should. Speaking as someone who quite often lurks, when everyone is being rude and nasty to each other, it can be difficult to care about the outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/614 "2009-01-01T22:27:01Z")
I’m not “reminding” anyone of anything. Would you have preferred it if I’d said, “No, they’re ok because of the forum we’re in?” ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/615 "2009-01-01T22:34:33Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I inferred from **fisha’s** comment that she thought **sailor** was being rude as well. Maybe she thought I was being unfair toward you and **Shodan**. I thought she meant that the comments you two made were ok because **sailor** was being rude. And I disagree with that idea. **sailor** was being rude. His problem is that he was being rude and _pedantic._ He was also going on and on and on about it. **QED** and \*\*Shodan \*\*were being rude and _funny._ Those two things are not equal. **InnerStickler** - lighten up, tomato. fisha ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/616 "2009-01-01T22:39:24Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > [The usenet](http://www.newsdemon.com/usenet_term_sig.php). One signs ones name to the post. Then one puts a "-- " after that, whereupon one puts one signature block (or “sig”). This can include a pgp encryption key, an epigram or contact info. And that fits much more closely with **Dex’s** earlier-quoted rule. Names have been a part of signatures on Usenet for all the years I’ve posted to it, and your link does not dispute that. I’m afraid you’re never going to prevail with the argument that signing a post does not constitute a signature. Listen, we understand–and have admitted–that this hasn’t been enforced in the past. That’s fine and we know that might confuse some people who’ve been using their names as signatures for all of these years. We’re not handing out warnings, we’re just asking that everyone who uses signatures (regardless of whether the signature is automatically filled in by the board software or manually typed) follow the same rule. As for the point regarding announcing this: I agree. We were going to post an announcement a couple of weeks ago when this was last brought up and the rule clarified, but with the holidays and all, it was added to the to-do list and never addressed. I’ll try to get something posted by the end of this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/617 "2009-01-01T22:39:29Z")
I’ve read both of those statements in various forms many times on the SDMB. So, I guess I don’t find them funny so much as tired. But, ok. My new year’s resolution will be to be more chill. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/618 "2009-01-01T22:42:31Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I’ve read both of those statements in various forms many times on the SDMB. So, I guess I don’t find them funny so much as tired. But, ok. My new year’s resolution will be to be more chill. Easy to do when it’s 20 degrees out. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/619 "2009-01-01T22:45:26Z")
Pffft, for Minnesota in the winter, that’s a heat wave. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003/620 "2009-01-01T23:43:01Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Mos def! 🆒 I like Mos Def too! You have great taste in music for a conservo=guy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posters-you-cant-stand-pit-rules-f-ing-apply/478003.md?page=32)