# Sig lengths getting out of hand **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 17, 2000, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985 "2000-04-17T14:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/1 "2000-04-17T14:55:00Z")
I’ve been seeing a lot of sigs lately that are eight, ten, \*\*[even twelve lines long!\*\*](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/007281.html) Here’s a hint : instead of leaving the same three quotes in your sig for three weeks, rotate them so you have one quote each week! Imagine how much it would clutter up a thread if everyone’s sig was this long. Would you like reading a thread with 100 posts and 300 quotes? I know you love the snappy one-liner along with the verbose quote that adds an air of authority to your posts, _and_ the Wally sig, but you really should pick ONE dammit! Think before you sig. * * * `They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety’ - Benjamin Franklin - ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/2 "2000-04-17T14:58:00Z")
Mister Three-Liner, up there, is absolutely right. * * * Uke ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/3 "2000-04-17T14:59:00Z")
Including Ben Franklin on a separate line from the rest of the quote is just criminal. That extra line you are taking up means I might actually have to scroll just a little bit more when I read a thread. And heaven help me if you post 2 or 3 times to a thread. How will I ever make it to the end? Granted, long sigs might take up space, but somehow I think you can muddle through the extra couple of lines. * * * Coming soon to a sig line near you! Relive the mundane highs, the flaming lows, and the pointless posts in between. Announcing the debut of the best of Mullinator. Because it’s not just a sig, it’s an adventure. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/4 "2000-04-17T15:00:00Z")
I’d call three lines the limit. And it’s still just one quote! ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/5 "2000-04-17T15:03:00Z")
And I usually turn the sig off if I post more than once (or twice if I forget) in one thread. It just makes things a little easier to read, you know? ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/6 "2000-04-17T15:07:00Z")
I agree with you, however, it seems as if I am the worst offender. However, I am relating something which means a lot to me personally, is helping me deal with it, and it seems helping others as well. In short, I hope that I get special dispensation here. If not, oh well. I ain’t changing it anyway! 😃 * * * Yer pal, Satan [http://www.raleighmusic.com/board/Images/devil.gif](http://www.raleighmusic.com/board/Images/devil.gif) _I HAVE BEEN SMOKE-FREE FOR: One week, one day, 13 hours, 7 minutes and 25 seconds. 341 cigarettes not smoked, saving $42.73. Life saved: 1 day, 4 hours, 25 minutes._ ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/7 "2000-04-17T15:11:00Z")
If it’s helping you quit, Satan, I think an exception can be made. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/8 "2000-04-17T15:23:00Z")
Mine’s over three lines. But wait untill Prose comes in with her kindergarten poetry. THEN you’re in for a treat 😃 * * * **Defect borg: _“Refutile is sistance. Your ass will be simulated”._** * * * **WallyM7** on Coldfire: _ **"Yeah, he knows a little about everything because they have a good prison library."** _ ---
**Author:** ![Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f04885/32.png) [@Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/9 "2000-04-17T15:46:00Z")
**your ass will be stimulated** that cracks me up. ---
**Author:** ![Oblio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c4cdca/32.png) [@Oblio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblio)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/10 "2000-04-17T19:33:00Z")
## Keep up the good work Satan Smober for: Seven months, one week, 17 hours, 38 minutes and 32 seconds. 6622 cigarettes not smoked, saving $950.26. Life saved: 3 weeks, 1 day, 23 hours, 50 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/11 "2000-04-17T22:22:00Z")
Ugh, that one 12-liner is really… something. Geesh. Some of you may think this is over-reacting. Try going to [Virtual Kid](http://www.virtualkid.com). They all have long-ass sigs and it is a **pain in the ass** to read. I’m having a problem with this on my message board ([Teenworld](http://envy.nu/teenworld)). People want their sigs to be eight lines, hot pink, four-point font and include an image! I’m working on a hack that will keep people from using images in their sigs, but for now all I can do is tell them ‘no’ and delete the images when I see them. Then people whine about free-speach and too many rules, nevermind that they have essentially posted three images to every thread in the place. * * * [Cessandra](http://envy.nu/cessandra/profile/) I would’ve gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids! ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/12 "2000-04-17T22:25:00Z")
One mod’s sig on [Virtual Kid](http://www.virtualkid.com): > [@](#): > > The heart can see things invisible to the eye. > > **Moderator of [Asia Forum](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Asia&number=6&DaysPrune=10&LastLogin=)** > Any questions about mystical Asia? Any views on Asian countries or Asian cultures? Any one of Asian descendant? > Come to Asia Forum to get it all here! > > **Co-moderator of [Mentally Handicapped Forum](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Mentally+Handicapped+Forum&number=55&DaysPrune=)** > Come here to share stuff about helping mentally handicapped people. All are welcome here. > > **Co-moderator of [Depression and Suicide Forum](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=66&SUBMIT=Go)** > Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Don’t do it!!Come here to talk over it, and feel better. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/13 "2000-04-17T22:28:00Z")
_winces_ Oi I’m sorry I muffed up there. I changed my sig though as you can see so its not as long. Sometimes I over do stuff. Besides I’m just a newbie getting the feel of things. I’m better now. I really am. * * * Never run from anything immortal, it attracts their attention. _Brought to you by the Amazon woman of Canada._ ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2000, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/14 "2000-04-17T22:31:00Z")
A couple more (these are all _mods_): > [@](#): > > “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you everyone else … means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.” – e.e. cummings > > [Click here](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Wanderings&number=41&DaysPrune=10&LastLogin=) and visit my diary _Wanderings_ > > Proud Advocate of the **Alice’s Restaurant Anti-Massacree Movement!!!** > _And can you imagine fifty people a day?..walkin’ in singin’ a bar of “Alice’s Restaurant” and walkin’ out? Friends, they may think it’s a MOVEMENT, and that’s what it is._ > > _ **DO YOU LOVE ME?** _ > If you do, you will [Click here](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=VirtualKid+News+Room&number=77&DaysPrune=10&LastLogin=) and visit the VK News Room to make me happy! > > **VK’s Resident Creator of Mysterious Green Liquids.** > > Official Supporter of Styrofoam * * * > [@](#): > > \*\*The Above was my own opinion/belief. You are free to accept or reject it{/B} > > ## "Thay are the Ten **COMMANDMENTS** not the Ten choices “I don’t Question your existence.” ~God > > Co-Moderator of the [THEATRE FORUM](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Theater+and+Performing+Arts&number=71&DaysPrune=20&LastLogin=) > > Moderator of the [IRELAND FORUM](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Ireland&number=37&DaysPrune=20&LastLogin=) > > Come visit [MY DIARY!](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=To+whom+it+may+concern&number=23&DaysPrune=20&LastLogin=) > > * * * > > If you have a question, ASK, i wILL have an answer. It might not be the right answer, but it’s ananswer. > **Crash and Burn** > When you feel all along > And the world has turned its back on you > Give me a moment please to calm your wild wild heart > I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you > It’s hard to find relief and people can be so cold > When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can’t > take anymore - > When you feel all alone > And a loyal frined is hard to find > When hopes and dreams are far away and > you feel like you cant face the day - > Becasue there has always been heartache and pain > and when its over you’ll breathe again > You’ll breathe again - > **Let me be the one you call > If you jump I’ll break your fall > Lift you up and fly away with you into the night > If you need to fall apart > I can mend a broken heart > If you need to crash then crash and burn > You’re _not_ alone** > > * * * > > I believe in Love surviving death into eternity. > I believe that evil is the absence of good. > I believe the sun should never set upon an argument > I believe i’m loved when im completely by myself alone > I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul > I believe you can’t appreciate real love until you’ve been burned > I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side > I believe you dont know what you’ve got until you say goodbye. * * * Here’s one with the post it was attached to: > [@](#): > > I don’t believe that it is wrong. It keeps people from doing other stuff until it is ther right time~! > > * * * > > -Jonathan > > **Moderator of the** [**Magic of Instrumental Music**](http://www.virtualkid.com/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=21&start=here) **forum** > > **Moderator in** [sites.chatspace.com/tommy](http://sites.chatspace.com/tommy) > > Come visit me! > > _Elizabeth~The more I tell you about me, and the longer you stay, the more I know you love me_ > > _“Faith isn’t the knowledge of what the mystery of the Universe is, but the conviction that there is a mystery, and it is greater than us.”_ > > _“Veni, Vidi, Vici!”_ > > _“To be great, is to be misunderstood.”_ Yes, it _could_ get like this here, unless people use common sense and keep their sigs at a decent length. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2000, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/15 "2000-04-18T00:14:00Z")
I rarely use a sig line anymore, but just to be a smart ass… * * * I think from now on I’ll just make my post on the sig line. How do you like them apples? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2000, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/16 "2000-04-18T01:09:00Z")
Just so you know, the abuse of sig files is being looked at by your friendly Straight Dope Management. (We’re against it, of course.) And while we’re on the subject, let me quote from the registration agreement: > [@](#): > > **Vandalism of the site through inappropriate use of HTML or other code is grounds for immediate banning. Vandals will be reported to their Internet services provider. In extreme cases we may refer site vandalism to the police.** BTW, we consider anything that negatively affects our format or setup to be vandalism. We’ll keep you notified on any changes to our current policy. While we’re on the subject, what, in your opinion, is excessive for a sig file? I’ve been in situations (like, for example, the Tuba Listserv I’m on) where sig files are limited; anything over 5 lines long is automatically deleted. your humble TubaDiva Administrator The Straight Dope ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2000, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/17 "2000-04-18T01:27:00Z")
This looks like just the right place to see if my new sig posts correctly. * * * “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do _you_ say, Piglet?” “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting _today?_” said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2000, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/18 "2000-04-18T09:33:00Z")
_While we’re on the subject, what, in your opinion, is excessive for a sig file?_ I’ll take one extreme, and say get rid of them altogether, or at least limit them to one line, with no bolding or gifs. On mailing lists signatures make sense, because each message comes separate from the rest. But here, where we scroll through the messages, the signatures are jumbled in with the posts and that make it harder to find the content in the threads. Also, we can click on the personal icon to get information about people’s email addresses and home page sites if we want to get more information about them. If you have a lot to say, just list your home page url. I find it strange that if we were to repeatedly post the same _message_ to multiple threads we would get in trouble, but posting the same _signature_ over and over and over somehow is “different”. If people want to include a witty quote evey once in a while, that’s okay, especially if it’s on a “witty quote” thread. But to list the same signature over and over is repetitive. Repetitive. Yes, continuous duplication is repetitive. Repetitive. If you want attention that much, post something that’s witty or interesting enough that you impress us with your intelligence. Long signatures are, IMHO, the intellectual equivalent of boom boxes. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2000, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/19 "2000-04-18T15:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” > “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” > “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. > Pooh nodded thoughtfully. > “It’s the same thing,” he said. _AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW_, I love Piglet. 🙂 Esprix, who is thinking of shortening his sig after all this discussion * * * ## [Ask the Gay Guy!](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001376.html) (or, if you prefer the Jesusfied version, [Asketh the damn Priest Guy!](http://www.askjesus.org/ask.cgi?http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001376.html)) ## “Never assume a malicious intent when stupidity will explain just as well.” {This space reserved for a Genuine WallyM7 Sig™} ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2000, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985/20 "2000-04-18T15:42:00Z")
TubaDiva said: > [@](#): > > BTW, we consider anything that negatively affects our format or setup to be vandalism. Please elaborate on this. If I’m reading your post correctly, I can be booted for posting **anything** that negatively affects the format or setup? Obviously you wouldn’t do it for an accident (i.e. posting a link that causes the page to scroll) but what situations warrant booting for vandalism (or should I post this to ATMB?). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-lengths-getting-out-of-hand/5985.md?page=2)