# Vox? Valete? Globos meos lambe **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 20, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103 "2008-12-20T19:27:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/221 "2008-12-22T18:53:52Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Hey, I think you should keep adding in your extra bits and pieces. I bet they are always really funny, and witty, and deep and meaningful and funny and deep and witty. > > Tell the truth, you get about twenty private messages a day don’t you? From people who want to tell you how much they laughed at one of your message sign off’s, or from people who were inspired to reach that little bit further, to push that little bit harder, to dream the impossible dream, and all because in one line of text at the end of a relatively innocuous post you managed to throw everything into perspective… > > …and change a life. > > Dont stop, dont you dare stop. You’re my hero of the week. No, really, you just said exactly what I think everytime I read something Tripler writes. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/222 "2008-12-22T19:40:17Z")
I’m conflicted. I only opened this thread once I saw it hit five pages because I figured "what the hell, if it’s generating that much discussion, it may have some meat in the topic. The thread title CERTAINLY didn’t give a clue that this was about sign-offs in general and the mod warning for a repeated, manual, sign-off is very much a new development. It may well be the first warning ever given for this offense(which apparently became an offense several years after I joined). My understanding about the genesis of the “one sig per page of a thread” rule was because it required additional server resources to pull a .sig. This is not the case with a sign-off which is part of the post. I can understand wanting to relieve stress on a poorly performing server. What is the rationale for restricting sign-offs which do not invoke additional server processing? Because it adds noise? Assuming for a moment that sign-offs are noise, and not a valid part of the communication(a view I do not share, but will leave aside for the sake of argument), what makes the twelve characters I typically sign off with a source of noise significant enough to justify a warning? Are similar guidelines forthcoming on other noise-generating areas like people who have long usernames? Beyond that, what about the sheer volume of posts which quote an entire other post and only add +1 to the end of it? How is that not noise? Someone who has that habit will take far more server resources than someone who uses a manual sign-off, and add far less information to the board. Which idiosyncrasies are safe and which are on the block, and why? > [@Mangetout](#): > > It amazes me that anyone gives a shit about this stuff, one way or t’other. Like **Tamerlane** , I’m aware the general population of the net is moving away from the style I prefer. I’m not sure I’d die on this hill, but the fact the battle has moved to this hilltop at all is a troubling matter. It bothers me when a message board is dictating how people communicate to this level of detail. Especially when the reasons given seem to be standards which are unevenly applied. I raised an eyebrow when **raisinbread** was given so much shit for posting in purple. I guess the writing was on the wall then. Tolerance for idiosyncrasies seems to be waning fast. A shame, I fear if the trend continues this place will become even more white bread than it is today. Some people like their white bread, but I like whole wheat, sometimes even with nuts. That’s what it was like when I joined. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/223 "2008-12-22T20:02:12Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > Beyond that, what about the sheer volume of posts which quote an entire other post and only add +1 to the end of it? How is that not noise? Someone who has that habit will take far more server resources than someone who uses a manual sign-off, and add far less information to the board. People who quote a long post only to add a short comment are also annoying and have been criticized in the past. > [@](#): > > I raised an eyebrow when **raisinbread** was given so much shit for posting in purple. I guess the writing was on the wall then. Tolerance for idiosyncrasies seems to be waning fast. A shame, I fear if the trend continues this place will become even more white bread than it is today. Some people like their white bread, but I like whole wheat, sometimes even with nuts. That’s what it was like when I joined. Diferent strokes for different styles. There are plenty of boards out there where you can have avatars, color fonts etc. Here the general consensus is that we prefer content and not glitter. I am sure you can find plenty of boards which suit your tastes. > [@](#): > > Enjoy, > Steven Fuck off Steven. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/224 "2008-12-22T20:14:21Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > Beyond that, what about the sheer volume of posts which quote an entire other post and only add +1 to the end of it? I don’t believe there is one, on this board, because we frown upon doing that. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/225 "2008-12-22T20:16:56Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > People who quote a long post only to add a short comment are also annoying and have been criticized in the past. I am not aware of any rule, as such. Perhaps you could quote it? > [@](#): > > Fuck off Steven. OK, now this is the second time in this thread where you added noise and length to your post with this stylized insult. It adds nothing, especially the second time you do it. Should you not be reported for the same reason that I would be if I used a polite, stylized sign off rather than a juvenile, stylized one? Merry Christmas! Shodan ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/226 "2008-12-22T20:51:32Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > OK, now this is the second time in this thread where you added noise and length to your post with this stylized insult. It adds nothing, especially the second time you do it. Should you not be reported for the same reason that I would be if I used a polite, stylized sign off rather than a juvenile, stylized one? > > Merry Christmas! > Shodan Well, yes, you both should, you both broke the rules. This is all moot anyway, as I very much doubt that the mods will ever enforce this rule, and I doubt that those who use signatures will stop using them. My intent in writing the OP was simply to express that I find the signatures extremely fucking annoying. I did not demand change, or request that the mods take action, but there is no doubt that I would prefer it if people didnt use signatures. It would be nice to think that when people find out they are being anoying, that they would make an effort to stop, but it seems that wont happen here which galls me a little. After all, one thing that hasnt been shown in this thread is a good reason FOR adding signatures. People have asked why they annoy some posters, and others have tried to explain WHY they annoy, but the only reason I see for people adding sigs is that, well, they want to. They just like it. You like it. It annoys the fuck out of me. But you keep doing it because you like it. So I wont lose any sleep here, but it does gall just a little. Just a quick note to **Mgtman**. I appreciate what you are saying, but whereas you would like a board with those idiosyncrasies, I much prefer a board without all the window dressing. No avatars, no signatures, no flashing pictures, ads turned off, text plain and clear. When you strip all the fluff away, then a poster will live or die by the content, and so hopefully the quality of the content will rise. That is why I like the SDMB, and hope it remains this way. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/227 "2008-12-22T20:57:00Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > After all, one thing that hasnt been shown in this thread is a good reason FOR adding signatures. People have asked why they annoy some posters, and others have tried to explain WHY they annoy, but the only reason I see for people adding sigs is that, well, they want to. They just like it. I’ve given my reasons both for preferring to use one and for preferring that other people use one. You may disagree with my reasons, but then, I disagree with your reasons for being annoyed by them. ---
**Author:** ![Buckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Buckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckeye)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/228 "2008-12-22T21:12:45Z")
Some of you people need to chill the fuck out. Put them on ignore and miss their whole post. ---
**Author:** ![Merhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Merhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merhouse)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/229 "2008-12-22T21:37:20Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Wow, a very interesting history! I’ve been doing it since logging onto the Forbidden Zone BBS back in the late eighties or early nineties, and have been doing so on this board since my first post in 1999, and have been doing so on every messageboard I log onto on the net. I do so because it’s how I sign emails, and it’s helpful to me when others do so, since I have a tendency to read over text in fonts other than the message font; having someone put their name in the body of their message makes it stand out more for me. > > I think folks who get their knickers in a twist about it are keen. Really. > > Daniel Not that anyone’s asked, but I always thought this was rather polite, and not intrusive at all. > [@Liberal](#): > > The weird thing about yours, you must admit, is that you freak out when you’re called “Daniel”. > > Drink more lactose, > Marsha I didn’t know that. But see below from the Dorkmaster. Never mind 🙂 > [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > You sign emails? I hardly ever do, unless the person to whom I’m replying signs their email and I sense that they expect a reciprocal formality. Why sign an email when it’s obvious who it’s coming from? > > Puzzled, > > EddyTeddyFreddy I always sign my emails with my first name, even with very good friends who know damned well who it’s from. If it’s someone I don’t know personally, and it’s relevant, I’ll also use my last name. In fact, I also address the person I’m writing. It’s just polite. If I’m sending an email, it’s a letter that’s sent electronically. To summarize, I’m old, and the noises in my head are the beat of a different drummer. So sue me 😃 > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I needn’t admit that. All I’ll admit to is that years ago, you were creeping me out by adopting what I thought was an unwarranted over-friendly tone with me, and I made one single post asking you to call me by another name, explaining that I’d totally understand if you didn’t want to do so–and years later you’re still on about it. > > Daniel As I mentioned above, I always thought of your “sig” as being polite. And I promise not to be overly friendly to you. (unless you’d like me to be) > [@Kat](#): > > You know, I really like the name **Stealth Potato**. > > Peace out. > Kat I like his picture too. Sorry. I just had to say that. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Am I reading this right–that y’all are really going to get me to stop putting my name at the end of posts? That seems really crazy ridiculous to me, on par with making it against the rules to split infinitives–and worse, since it’s something I’ve done for nearly two decades whenever typing posts on messageboards, I’m almost certain to screw up. > > I think something more reasonable would be to limit signatures to, say, two lines, and then leave well enough alone. > > –grr! erasing signature!– # Have I mentioned that I like your “sig”? Just checking. OK, at this point, I decided I wasn’t going to quote any more posts, but “Regards” and/or your name at the end of posts, even every single post, seems to me to just be a polite end to a post. However, I don’t make the rules around here, and since I don’t use a signature here, well, there ya go. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/230 "2008-12-22T22:53:58Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > Here the general consensus is that we prefer content and not glitter. Just out of interest, has this topic been the subject of any recent, extensive polls? I’m not saying you’re wrong - you may indeed be right, it’s just that my impression of discussions about Avatars and other glittery things is that the opposition, instead of being _general_, is in fact merely _loud_. ---
**Author:** ![Vox\_Imperatoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/231 "2008-12-22T23:55:30Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > I can understand why marriages so often end in divorce if every time one spouse asks for something they are then asked to provide substantial reasons justifying why it should be done. Should I go down to the county courthouse and look over my records? Since when am I your bloody wife? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/232 "2008-12-23T00:11:00Z")
I always assumed that the sig restriction was in reference to the lengthy attempts at pithy, funny, [add your own adjective] closings some people like to use as a kind of trademark. Even the words “pearls of wisdom” suggest it was not about signatures as they have been traditionally (i.e., not on a messageboard) been used, but the friggin’ billboards some people drag around like luggage. They’re long, distracting, take up server space, etc. I guess the clarification provided in this thread shows I was wrong, but I cannot imagine what a restriction against a two-line “Best Wishes, Doug” kind of sign-off actually accomplishes. Yes, some people are annoyed by them (I think most don’t care–I know I don’t). Is that what the rule was guarding against? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/233 "2008-12-23T00:11:40Z")
> [@Vox\_Imperatoris](#): > > Should I go down to the county courthouse and look over my records? Since when am I your bloody wife? Shuddup and blow me you bitch! ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/234 "2008-12-23T00:21:39Z")
Is it unreasonable to suggest that the signature rule be amended so that sig lines can be used as many times in a thread as the poster desires? So long the option to ignore the sig lines remains and all sigs and sig-like tags, such as including the name of poster or any other repetitive item, are strictly forbidden within the actual post, I can’t imagine why this wouldn’t meet everyone’s needs and desires. The sig people will have no idea who is seeing their sig and who is not, but they can have them all the same and see other people’s sigs if they so desire; and the non-sig people will not be distracted with what they deem unnecessary and repetitive content. Everyone’s happy? Sort of? ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/235 "2008-12-23T00:54:16Z")
Couldn’t the posters who use 2 line sign offs, not find some way to make the [DEL]offending[/DEL] relevant text flash on and off, so other posters can easily see what to avoid? Oh, hang on - that’s not going to work, is it? Back to the drawing board ivan ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/236 "2008-12-23T03:30:45Z")
yaaaaawn… You guys still up? Last one out, turn out the light. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/237 "2008-12-23T03:38:45Z")
Hold the fucking phone. Looks like this \*\*Vox \*\*guy is just a kid. If it is true it would explain an awful lot. In this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10607538&postcount=1) he proudly announces getting his Driver License today. Now maybe it is not his first one or maybe he never got one before for some reason or maybe he is just a kid. **Vox** , if you are a kid then I apologize for any snotty comments I have made. I hope you will clarify this. I for one don’t like the idea making fun of teenagers, lord knows they have enough to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Vox\_Imperatoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/238 "2008-12-23T03:54:30Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Hold the fucking phone. Looks like this \*\*Vox \*\*guy is just a kid. If it is true it would explain an awful lot. > > In this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10607538&postcount=1) > he proudly announces getting his Driver License today. Now maybe it is not his first one or maybe he never got one before for some reason or maybe he is just a kid. > > **Vox** , if you are a kid then I apologize for any snotty comments I have made. I hope you will clarify this. I for one don’t like the idea making fun of teenagers, lord knows they have enough to worry about. I haven’t tried to hide that, and I don’t have any more objection to your (collective) silliness about the sig lines whether or not you are taking my age into account. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/239 "2008-12-23T04:51:13Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Hold the fucking phone. Looks like this \*\*Vox \*\*guy is just a kid. If it is true it would explain an awful lot. > > In this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10607538&postcount=1) > he proudly announces getting his Driver License today. Now maybe it is not his first one or maybe he never got one before for some reason or maybe he is just a kid. > > **Vox** , if you are a kid then I apologize for any snotty comments I have made. I hope you will clarify this. I for one don’t like the idea making fun of teenagers, lord knows they have enough to worry about. Per his own link, he’s 16: [http://www.last.fm/user/Vox\_Imperatoris](http://www.last.fm/user/Vox_Imperatoris) I would have inferred 14 from his posts, but perhaps he’s a slow developer. Whatever his age, it’s too young to have figured out that bright and dumb are not mutually exclusive… We all need those awkward teenage years so we have something to look back on later. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103/240 "2008-12-23T04:54:20Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Is it unreasonable to suggest that the signature rule be amended so that sig lines can be used as many times in a thread as the poster desires? So long the option to ignore the sig lines remains and all sigs and sig-like tags, such as including the name of poster or any other repetitive item, are strictly forbidden within the actual post, I can’t imagine why this wouldn’t meet everyone’s needs and desires. I, too, think this would be the best solution. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vox-valete-globos-meos-lambe/478103.md?page=13)