I don't think anybody's arguing about sigs, as I've said, I really hate them, too. I like a professional looking, adult site where the information will be taken very seriously. I like smilies to express emotion, avoid misinterpretations and lighten the tone when needed, but otherwise, give it to me straight.
But to police something that MIGHT happen takes up just as much time (or more) as policing it when it does happen, so I fail to see the reasoning.
Isn't it easier to tell people who have smilies and stars and colors that THEY'RE breaking the rules than it is to tell the (larger number) of people who are just using their names?
Judging by the speed the Mods respond to this kind of infraction, it's hardly an issue that others will see it and think it's allowed, I'm sure you'll have it 'fixed' in your usual lightening fast Mod manner. And even if that's not the case, having to tell one more person is probably still 10 people less than the next set of newbies or occasional lurkers who didn't get the memo and (like most) don't think twice about simply signing their name.
Sorry guys, this one really is over the top. It really makes the site look officious and silly, and that is just as distracting as the glitz. People with badges who blindly follow the 'letter of the law' without flexibility are not going to garner a lot of (true) respect. Professional doesn't mean tyranical. Being obsessive about trivial things is a childish trait, not a professional one.
I'm done now. And this isn't harassment, it's a debate.
