# Signatures: New rules, need help. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 1, 2009, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464 "2009-01-01T13:58:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/21 "2009-01-03T18:03:54Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Have the new rules made it impossible to make sigs don’t show an option? If not, exactly how and where do you do it? You can block signs by going into your User CP. Under the Thread Display Options heading, just unclick “Show Signatures” and save it. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/22 "2009-01-03T18:41:59Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You can block signs by going into your User CP. Under the Thread Display Options heading, just unclick “Show Signatures” and save it. That’s the problem with these cute signoffs, that they cannot be turned off. Maybe you could just allow people to use signatures as many times as they want in a thread and disallow signoffs. That way people who like them can see them and those who don’t don’t have to. tada, mon petit pois Sapo ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/23 "2009-01-03T18:58:53Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > That’s the problem with these cute signoffs, that they cannot be turned off. I know these things bug some people, but I don’t think this rises to the level of a problem. I also felt that making a rule against signoffs is too picky. We’ve got a few rules you don’t see at every board, but we don’t need to make everybody post the same. > [@](#): > > Maybe you could just allow people to use signatures as many times as they want in a thread and disallow signoffs. That way people who like them can see them and those who don’t don’t have to. Not a bad idea. I think these are less disruptive and annoying than sigs, though. > [@](#): > > tada, mon petit pois > Sapo In your excitement, **Sapo** , I think you missed part of Ed’s post: > [@Ed Zotti](#): > > Please don’t push the envelope. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/24 "2009-01-03T23:17:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You can block signs by going into your User CP. Under the Thread Display Options heading, just unclick “Show Signatures” and save it. Found it. Just for the record, you have to go into Edit Options first to find Thread Display Options. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/25 "2009-01-03T23:25:09Z")
Could someone clarify the policy as regards links within signatures? What is permissible and what isn’t? ---
**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 3, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/26 "2009-01-03T23:49:14Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Could someone clarify the policy as regards links within signatures? What is permissible and what isn’t? I seem to recall this question being asked a while back, and the answer was that it should adhere to the same guidelines as links within ordinary posts (i.e., not spam, 2-click rule as applicable, etc.) This may have changed, but it’s my understanding of it and I find it to be entirely sensible. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/27 "2009-01-04T01:51:05Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > In your excitement, **Sapo** , I think you missed part of Ed’s post: How is tada, \ pushing what envelope? How is it different from “Enjoy” or “coitus interruptus” or “regards”? It might be tacky and ridiculous but there is no accounting for taste. tada, les enfants Sapo ---
**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 4, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/28 "2009-01-04T02:26:02Z")
There’s a difference between having a sincere signoff and simply using one to mock those who do. My NSHO, of course; the staff may see it differently. ---
**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 4, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/29 "2009-01-04T02:52:22Z")
Meh, I figure either have signoffs of whatever or don’t have signoffs at all. If **Sapo** gets roundly mocked for it then he’ll stop. I think it’s funny. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2009, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/30 "2009-01-04T11:02:27Z")
As I understand this then, it’s now okay for **Shodan** , who admits to intending some of his signatures outside of the Pit to be connoting “Fuck You!”, to continue using it as before. Does this also mean that simply having “Fuck You!” as a sig would also be allowed? If your position is, as I suspect it will be, “Shut up already,” then should we require \*\*Shodan \*\*at least to tell us when his sig means “Fuck you” and when it just means “kthxbye”? P.S. I’ve got a goodie retort for you, **Shodan** : “For you, **PRR** , it always means ‘Fuck You’.” Use it in good health. kthxbye ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/31 "2009-01-05T16:54:32Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > That’s the problem with these cute signoffs, that they cannot be turned off. > > Maybe you could just allow people to use signatures as many times as they want in a thread and disallow signoffs. That way people who like them can see them and those who don’t don’t have to. > > tada, mon petit pois > Sapo Yes, I agree- if there are sigs, then we should be able to turn them off. I don’t get the “why” of this \*"I like to sign my name at the end of each of my posts. Is that OK? You can do a simple signoff of the form: [complimentary close - optional] [your name] … at the end of each post. By “complimentary close” we mean some brief valedictory such as “regards,” “peace,” etc. Please don’t push the envelope. \*" I think even one single letter is too much. We all have our name at the top of our post. There’s not need to “sign off”, when you can have a “sig”. I have no problem with a sig- I just turn them off. Use them or not, fine. And, “don’t push the envelope” means that someone _will_ push the envelope. Why not just say NO? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/32 "2009-01-05T17:07:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I think even one single letter is too much. We all have our name at the top of our post. But that is not true for several of us that sign off with our actual first names as opposed to our user names. I can think of at least three of us that do so, though I do it less often than I used to. Additionally signatures change and are displayed for every post the poster ever made with the signature marked on. The sign-off at the end of the post harkens to a style that I guess is getting rare for message boards and even Emails. However it is tied to the post only and thus remains relevant to that post. I actually have no signature currently and only use the signature feature occasionally. The sign-off is a matter of style and choice. As to your one single letter is too much statement, are you serious? How does this affect you so badly? Is it strictly aesthetics, hyperbole or some odd form of OCD? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/33 "2009-01-05T17:32:46Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > But that is not true for several of us that sign off with our actual first names as opposed to our user names. I can think of at least three of us that do so, though I do it less often than I used to. > As to your one single letter is too much statement, are you serious? How does this affect you so badly? Is it strictly aesthetics, hyperbole or some odd form of OCD? 😕 Then get your username changed to reflect your first name, if you so choose. It’s because we allow sigs, and we also allow sig blocking- both are choices. Using a sig is thus perfectly OK (it’s your choice), but using a sig that can’t be blocked is taking\* my choice of sig blocking away\*, and is thus being a Jerk. You get _your_ choice, why can’t I? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/34 "2009-01-05T17:40:45Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Then get your username changed to reflect your first name, if you so choose. > > It’s because we allow sigs, and we also allow sig blocking- both are choices. Using a sig is thus perfectly OK (it’s your choice), but using a sig that can’t be blocked is taking\* my choice of sig blocking away\*, and is thus being a Jerk. > > You get _your_ choice, why can’t I? But a sig and a sign-off are not equal in this case as I explained. I am clearly not being a jerk, if fact I was being respectful of you here by not signing, not even as a dumb joke. Besides if it really comes to it, you have several options to not see the various sign-offs. You can manually ignore the posters, you can use the ignore feature or you could train yourself to glance over the repetitive sign-offs that annoy you like **Shodan** ’s and others. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/35 "2009-01-05T17:49:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > We all have our name at the top of our post. There’s not need to “sign off”, when you can have a “sig”. Obviously they’re not necessary. For me (and I think this is how some of the other mods saw it, too), the question was if a rule against them was necessary. Most of us said it wasn’t. Not everybody needs to post the same way. > [@](#): > > And, “don’t push the envelope” means that someone _will_ push the envelope. Why not just say NO? Common sense is enough of a guide for most people here. We try to let the rules reflect that. > [@](#): > > using a sig that can’t be blocked is taking my choice of sig blocking away, and is thus being a Jerk. I disagree. These things really annoy some people but I can’t see them as jerkish. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/36 "2009-01-06T00:37:37Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > It’s because we allow sigs, and we also allow sig blocking- both are choices. Using a sig is thus perfectly OK (it’s your choice), but using a sig that can’t be blocked is taking\* my choice of sig blocking away\*, and is thus being a Jerk. > > You get _your_ choice, why can’t I? You do get your choice. You choose not to sign your posts. So do I. But you didn’t answer the question. **Why** should this bother you so much? Why on earth do you get upset, _or care at all_, about a freaking two-word sign-off? ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/37 "2009-01-06T02:20:48Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > But you didn’t answer the question. **Why** should this bother you so much? Why on earth do you get upset, _or care at all_, about a freaking two-word sign-off? It is not the two words, it is the 3 lines. One blank, one with the cute line, one with the name. Plus they break the flow of the conversation. Next time you talk to someone on the telephone, try saying Goodbye every time you finish a sentence. It is silly. tada, kleine huhn Sapo. ---
**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 6, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/38 "2009-01-06T02:59:33Z")
Are you also unable to mentally skip over all the button and link text that appears on every page? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/39 "2009-01-06T04:35:12Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > You do get your choice. You choose not to sign your posts. So do I. > > But you didn’t answer the question. **Why** should this bother you so much? Why on earth do you get upset, _or care at all_, about a freaking two-word sign-off? As somebody who really cares about communication, I go crazy over the argument that posting on a message board is like sending a letter. It’s as wrong as Creationism. Whether the three lines bother you or not (and I’ve never expressed any opinion one way or the other), the fact that the reason they give for doing it is such sheer nonsense ought to bother people on a site that fights ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464/40 "2009-01-06T05:28:24Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > It is not the two words, it is the 3 lines. One blank, one with the cute line, one with the name. Plus they break the flow of the conversation. Next time you talk to someone on the telephone, try saying Goodbye every time you finish a sentence. It is silly. What “flow”? We’re not conversing in real time. My response to you does not directly follow your comment–it may not even appear on the same page–which is why it’s necessary for me to include a quote box, which disrupts any visual “flow” there might otherwise be far more than putting Toodle-pip, **Precious Poster** at the end of my message would. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-new-rules-need-help/479464.md?page=3)