# Test: Since I'm a guest, a signature shouldn't show up
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [February 27, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563 "2013-02-27T22:03:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/1 "2013-02-27T22:03:31Z")
In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=683257) thread it was mentioned that individuals with “guest” status cannot have automatic signatures. But it gives me the option, so I’m just testing whether a signature shows up.
If guests are not permitted to have signatures, the final line should not say “Roberto Gonzales was here”.
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### Author:  [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/2 "2013-02-27T22:11:55Z")
Y’know, we have rules, here, against going out and finding facts and evidence without first securing authorization and approval.
We will be watching you.
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### Author:  [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/3 "2013-02-27T22:15:02Z")
> [@tomndebb](#):
>
> We will be watching you.
But who will watch the watchers? Answer: Roberto Gonzales. :eek:
OP, can you see your signature? I can, but I’m not a stinky guest so maybe I have special powers.
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### Author:  [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/4 "2013-02-27T22:24:45Z")
I’m a guest, and I can see it.
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### Author:  [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/5 "2013-02-27T22:52:17Z")
You can have a signature but you can’t make it a link or anything. Just basic bb code and smilies.
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### Author:  [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/6 "2013-02-27T23:16:41Z")
I’m a member, and can see **Paranoid** ’s sig.
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### Author:  [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/7 "2013-02-27T23:39:08Z")
Hmmm. It seems as if the FAQ needs updating, then.
boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697069&postcount=14#
> [@](#):
>
> Who can use signatures? Anybody can type a signoff at the end of a post, but only paid members may have signatures set up in their profiles (to set one up, click “User CP” on the menu bar at the top of each page, and then choose “Edit Signature” from the menu on the left).
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### Author:  [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/8 "2013-02-28T00:32:41Z")
> [@cochrane](#):
>
> Hmmm. It seems as if the FAQ needs updating, then.
>
> boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697069&postcount=14#
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > Who can use signatures? Anybody can type a signoff at the end of a post, but only paid members may have signatures set up in their profiles (to set one up, click “User CP” on the menu bar at the top of each page, and then choose “Edit Signature” from the menu on the left).
Getting mine in now, then, before they’re outlawed for us "Guest"s again…
ETA: Dammit! It looks like they killed it before I got mine in! :raised fist:
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### Author:  [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/9 "2013-02-28T00:35:45Z")
Maybe I’m just stupid. I’ll try it again.
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### Author:  [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/10 "2013-02-28T00:36:54Z")
Yep. I’m stupid. It worked the second time.
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### Author:  [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/11 "2013-02-28T02:17:03Z")
I’ve never played with sigs here, but IIRC here is what I remember reading about how it works:
– Yes, you can set up a sig in your profile, whether you are a paid member or not.
– If you are a paid member, you can furthermore set up in your profile that said sig should or should not appear on _every_ post you post. (Setting it up to display automatically on your every post is permitted but strongly discouraged.)
– If you set it up to _not_ display on every post, you can still display your sig on any post you choose by clicking on a checkbox when your create your post.
– For guests, the sig will _never_ display _automatically_ with every post, no matter how you configured it in your profile. However, you still have the option to display it on any individual post you choose, by clicking on a checkbox when you make the post. Is this what the OP did to display his sig?
Am I remembering any or all of this aright?
ETA: Since I’m a guest myself, I’ll try this out myself and see if I’ve got that right.
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### Author:  [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/12 "2013-02-28T02:22:16Z")
Okay, here’s a test post.
In my profile, I have (and have always had) a signature defined, and configured to show _always_.
Nevertheless, I _never_ see my sig (automatically) on any posts I’ve made.
I see an option under “Additional Options” (at the bottom of the New Post screen) to display my sig.
I am checking it . . .
3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .
. . . Now! . . .
Done.
Now I’ll submit this post. Does my sig appear?
ETA: Yes, it does. So there you have it.
MORE ETA: AND FURTHERMORE . . . I just found that when you edit your own post, you must click the “Show your signature” option again to display the sig, or it will disappear, even though it was there originally.
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### Author:  [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/13 "2013-02-28T02:25:23Z")
My signature
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### Author:  [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/14 "2013-02-28T02:26:23Z")
I also remember that if you start a thread you can choose to not allow signatures. Does this actually work?
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### Author:  [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/15 "2013-02-28T02:28:26Z")
I guess the mods will be watching me too now?
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### Author:  [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/16 "2013-02-28T15:04:57Z")
Oh goody, something else we need to update!
That’s a holdover from the old pay to post days and not true now, hasn’t been forever.
Actually, looking at the FAQ in About This Message Board (not the boilerplate vBulletin FAQ, the one we wrote instead) this is what it says re signatures;
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697069#post7697069](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697069#post7697069)
> [@](#):
>
> What are the rules on profile signatures?
> Who can use signatures?
> Anybody can type a signoff at the end of a post, but only paid members may have signatures set up in their profiles (to set one up, click “User CP” on the menu bar at the top of each page, and then choose “Edit Signature” from the menu on the left).
>
> How long can my profile signature be?
> Your signature should not be more than 4 lines in length (including blank lines) when the browser window is seen on an average size monitor. If your signature is deemed too long, then a staff member may ask you to change it and/or change it for you.
>
> Can my signature have links to my blog or website in it?
> Provisionally yes. Paid members may have one link in their signatures, which must fit on a single line.
>
> Are there limits on what I can link to in my signature?
> The link must be to a site you have a personal interest in or association with; you can’t act as someone else’s agent to post links. Links to sites promoting porn, criminal enterprises, or other ventures that in our opinion are at odds with the Straight Dope’s ignorance-fighting mission are strictly forbidden.
>
> How many times should I include my signature in a thread?
> Once per thread should be sufficient for people to admire the pearl of wisdom included in your signature. If you post multiple times in a thread it is recommended that you only include the signature in one of your posts.
>
> What if I copy and paste the same text at the end of each of my posts? That’s not a profile signature.
> As mentioned above, text included at the end of all your posts is indistinguishable from a profile signature and should follow the rules for profile signatures and links. However, see below about simple signoffs.
>
> Are there any other restrictions?
> Please do not use signatures that distract users with large fonts, flashy colors, and other oddities. Signatures are meant to make a statement without taking away from the discussion in the thread.
>
> 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.
We do need to edit this and we will. Today.
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### Author:  [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/17 "2013-02-28T19:50:03Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Are there any other restrictions?
> Please do not use signatures that distract users with large fonts, flashy colors, and other oddities. Signatures are meant to make a statement without taking away from the discussion in the thread.
This rule seems extraneous, as I note that color, font, and size tags are not enabled in sigs anyway. 😉
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### Author:  [@madetea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madetea)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/18 "2013-02-28T20:53:36Z")
Hey, this is a test post. Firstly, a quote for no reason.
> [@](#):
>
> Okay, here’s a test post.
Moving on to a link to an excellent recipe for [some ribs](http://amazingribs.com/recipes/porknography/best_BBQ_ribs_ever.html).
Finally, a smiley (to be subsequently used sparingly) 😉
In two minutes I shall update this post to include a link to a picture of a bear holding a shark.
[Here it is.](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/andsean/Screenshots/DecompiledBear-Shark.png)
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### Author:  [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)
#### Post date: [March 2, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-since-im-a-guest-a-signature-shouldnt-show-up/651563/19 "2013-03-02T04:10:01Z")
Nice bear and shark.