11 replies to this topic

[Sidious]

A number of forum users have complained that some users of the forum have excessively long signatures. This can cause problems when reading posts on a small screen (like an iPhone for example).

Generally signatures should be kept to a few lines. 'Userbars' are fine, but again these should not be excessive. Some forum users have placed large amounts of information about the progress of their application including all of the relevant dates - in extreme cases these can stretch to 10 - 15 lines and this is too much information for a signature. Should you wish to place all of this information on the site then the most appropriate place is in your profile which can be accessed in 'my controls'.

Please take a moment to check your signature and if appropriate move some personal information onto your profile. Moderators don't want to hack and slash signatures but may be forced to take action if they are excessive.

If reading of signatures is an issue, they can be turned off in 'my controls' too.

Many thanks.

[Bas]

Just a bump for this.

There are still some signatures out there which are too large. Please take the time to check

Pretty soon, we will be forced to deal with this issue ourselves. We're just trying to give people the opportunity to keep what they have, on a reduced scale, rather than losing it completely (because we certainly won't have time to start reducing pictures etc).

Thanks.

[Bas]

Another bump - the last one before some get slashed.

Don't say you weren't warned

[Bubba]

Not only do we get to trim them, we get to add personal touches

[Bas]

The process of editing oversize signatures has begun. Numerous warnings have been posted.

This is in no way an attempt to bully, harrass or upset people - but there are a significant number of signatures out there which are simply ridiculous, and it's spoiling the forum experience for the majority.

It's not a targetted campaign either - but any we come accross risk being edited at will.

If you have large images in your signature, I suggest you save them or make sure you know where to find them so you can re-size them if necessary, because the Moderating team certainly don't have time to start re-sizing images for every user.

Your images may soon disappear without notice.

Thanks.

[Bas]

*bump*

Some large images are appearing again, so this is a reminder. Please read the above and take note!

As stated already, an increasing number of our users access the site on smaller devices, and large images are making that difficult. They shouldn't have to use the option to hide signatures when it's fixable with a bit of common sense.

Thanks.

[Damsel]

Time for another bump for this thread I think.

[Bas]

Time for another bump for this thread I think.

Added to that, please make a note of where your image is if you think it might fall foul (link or upload) as I really haven't got the time now to be PM-ing everyone I come across with huge signatures. They will just be removed - the notice/warning/polite request (call it what you will!) has been going on throughout this year so there's really no excuse anymore.

[Bas]

*Bump*

With particular reference to this post:

The process of editing oversize signatures has begun. Numerous warnings have been posted.

This is in no way an attempt to bully, harrass or upset people - but there are a significant number of signatures out there which are simply ridiculous, and it's spoiling the forum experience for the majority.

It's not a targetted campaign either - but any we come accross risk being edited at will.

If you have large images in your signature, I suggest you save them or make sure you know where to find them so you can re-size them if necessary, because the Moderating team certainly don't have time to start re-sizing images for every user.

Your images may soon disappear without notice.

Thanks.

From tomorrow evening, I intend to start reducing signatures on sight. Some are quite honestly ridiculous, and since some users (themselves with huge signatures) have decided they don't want the forum cluttered with ads/graphics etc, they won't mind me reducing/removing images from their signature.

Consider this a friendly request, and please take the time to adjust your signature to a suitable size.

Thank you.

[Bas]

*Bump* (My head is getting sore now!)

It would be most helpful if users sorted their own signatures to save me doing it

As a guide, can I suggest a basic piece of advice - signature pictures are fine up to about 15cm width x 5cm height. That's just a rough guide to give you something to go by. I've seen some which are litterally half the size of my screen.

Userbars are fine - but maybe try and limit yourselves to around 5/6?

Pictures and userbars - a combination of above, just use a bit of common sense and find a balance. I'd say a whole signature should be around 8cm deep maximum (again, just a guide). That way, you can still decide what you want to have, without me having to remove things - I certainly haven't got the time to re-size things, and will end up having to just remove something to make the signature smaller.

This is purely intended to improve the appearance of posts and the experience of other posters. Don't forget, everyone has a profile where things can be posted without having to stuff it all into your signature.

Thanks in advance for your help

[Bas]

You're getting more time than I originally thought as I've been busy helping a neighbour move!

Signature pruning will start eventually though, so if you can be helpful and use the above post as a guide, it would be appreciated

And just to add - there is no need for a huge number of userbars - you can use an animator to have up to 10 userbars in one.

Userbar Animator 1

Userbar Animator 2

In essence, this means you could actually have fifty userbars, but only take up the space of five. That would be heaven for those wishing to view the forum easily, without scrolling through endless graphics.

[Bas]

*Bump*

I've started.......