Signatures in posts

[Ly&Pigs]

A couple months ago I posted this http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...st-read-2.html as an addition on that thread. But it seems very few people have read it so I am going to make a new thread about it. I am putting it here because more people seem to read this forum than the others. I will eventually sticky this post.

Again, I'd like to reiterate that this site does not allow signatures. That also means signing your screen name or real name at the bottom of your posts, with/without your pigs names, smilies/emoticons, etc. It seems that since I posted about this before, that more and more people are doing this. They see someone else doing it so they think it's ok and they do it. Bottom line is that signatures aren't allowed and this needs to stop!

[jabberwock]

I have to confess that, although I knew that signatures weren't allowed, I really hadn't picked up that this included writing your name at the end of a post. I had assumed that it meant a .sig (or similar) - the sort that people use to put in witty/meaningful (or frequently neither!) quotes or to plug their favourite cause or to link to their favourite site. I have a signature that I attach to work-related emails but I always write my name at the bottom of every email and I think mentally I regarded those as different. So I know that I have (twice I think and once was on a "Happy Birthday" thread where I thought it a friendly thing to do) added my name to the bottom of a post. If others do this too then maybe they're making the same mistake I did and theyhad misunderstood the rule. Or maybe I'm just really thick!

[camende]

Ly&Pigs,

I just saw this and realised that I am guilty of adding my name at the bottom of my posts. I didn't realise that it was against the rules. I only add my name to the bottom because my screen name is a combination of my first, middle, and last name. When someone addresses me, I am not sure they know if I am a male or female or what to call me. So, I started adding my name at the bottom to avoid confusion. Is there any way to officially change my screen name without having to re-register?

[VoodooJoint]

Do not re-register. That could get you banned for starting an alter ego. If you really want you name changed it can probably happen since you haven't been around that long but why would you really want to? Does it matter that you can't tell by your screen name what your gender is? Most people have ambiguous screen names (like me) and while sometimes your gender may get confused it really doesn't make a difference since this isn't a dating site.

[camende]

I think I knew I couldn't re-register without permission. I will just get used to being called camende on here. It just looks so weird to me. I guess I didn' think about it when I originally registered. Maybe If I post more, I'll get used to it faster!

[Ly&Pigs]

I do want everyone to know that now there is a new impaction for "adding signature to post". The mods will give one warning on this then start issuing the impaction to those who cannot follow this rule.

[JennG]

Ok, I'm alittle confused. I thought this thread was about siggies. The pictures and such that some forums allow at the bottom of their members responses not actually putting your name at the end of the paragraph. Why would it matter if camende put Cindy at the end of her response? It doesn't harm anything does it?

[Percy's Mom]

A signature is anything that is put at the end of a post. In many circles this includes pictures, sparkles, quotes, etc. It can also be routinely putting your name at the bottom of your posts. This forum has decided that no signatures are allowed, and since putting a name or initials at the end of a post is technically a signature, those will not be allowed either.

[JennG]

Ok but that's alittle extreme. I'm lucky, I guess, that my name's already on here.

[Percy's Mom]

I'm not sure it really has anything to do with luck. We decided to not allow any signatures, so there is no need to make judgement calls. If none of them are allowed, we don't have to discuss what is allowable and what is not.

[sasnpipp]

LOL! So nobody is allowed to know/remember anybody's real name. Especially interesting seeing as the login requires a minimum amount of letters. If you're a Jan, Deb, Mark or Sas, nobody will ever know or remember. How clever is that? You guys are hilarious!

And with long posts, you'll always have to scroll up to remember who the poster is. Great use of time. (Not to mention all the squinty eyed Mod time policing the bottom of everybody's posts -- although I guess they can do it while counting the smilies).

And my apologies to the rest of the forum for the 'poo', I probably inspired it. I'm a member of a number of forums and my login name is always different -- and sometmes my bunny has something pithy to say as well -- so signing off on a post is an automated response and a very hard habbit to break. (And not a great use of brainpower when one is out to save the critter world).

FTR, my rabbits forum doesn't allow sigs, either, I don't like them. But I couldn't imagine telling people they can't sign their name. They'd lock me in a rubber room!

sa.... oops!!

That's not a siggy... it's just part of the post. Really. Please don't 'poo' me! (Maybe the trick is to always have a PS without calling it a PS?).

And ya know? This might mean I could be writing forever. I never get closure without an end line. Even a 'bye for now' will get me pooed I bet. And having to make up a new one every post is going to be so hard. (Not to mention a colossal waste of time, but that seems to be pretty common in these parts).

What about '-30-' ? I'm a journalist, that's the end symbol. But that could be worth two poos. I'll have to check the rules, might be something in there about combining numbers and dashes.

What a dilemma! Somebody, please... make me stop...

Now...

Help...

(Was that a siggy?)

[piggly wiggly]

I don't want to seem thick here, but may I ask why we can not put our name at the bottom of a post? Is it a confusion issue? I personally have never put my name, but am just wondering the reasoning behind it, is all.

[babybunny]

Its not really up to us to agree with it or not. If you don't agree and don't want to abide then just don't post.

I actually make a lot of graphic signatures for various other forums and they are a source of great pride and fun for me. However, I know this forum doesn't want those or even a simple "tag" at the end of posts. So, whether I find it right or wrong, it's still up to me to abide by the rules. Each and every one of us has to agree to them when we sign up. There is no need to make a mountain out of a mole hill as I have seen some do lately. =\

If you are so miserable here because you can't have "closure" to a forum post, then please by all means take your misery elsewhere.

[catzeye21138]

I agree with not being able to add pictures, smileys, pig names and sparklies at the end of a post, but not even a single line with your name? I don't recall doing it much on this forum but on a couple others I always end it with "L" or "Lindsey" or sometimes "Lindsey <3" if I have been discussing with a friend and I might occasionally slip up and do it on here too. I think not being able to add your name, or even the first letter of your name? is a little harsh and anal.

Just my 2 cents. (not a signature!)

[daftscotslass]

It's not difficult. You're writing a forum post, not closing a letter. Why do you NEED to add your name?

The fact is, many people on here know each others' names without it. We feel no need to have to remind people of it on a postly basis.

[sasnpipp]

Originally Posted by babybunny

Its not really up to us to agree with it or not.

Heh! How cults are born.

Contrary to what you might think, you ARE allowed an opinion. I'm sure no matter how anal the Mods may be, they are reasonable and will listen to their members at some point. If you have 100 active members and 51 of them ask, 'is this rule really necessary?' somebody will listen and revisit the rule. (It may not change, but they'll revisit it).

Unfortunately a climate of fear and aggression most often produces a hardcore, vocal group very passionate about 'brown-nosing' as somebody put it. 'Yes men'. They have no choice but to back the leaders no matter what if they want to avoid being criticized or ostracized, so they've convinced themselves those leaders are right no matter what. I think the Stockholm Syndrome has roots there.

It seems from one post here this forum would like to remain cliquish. The clique knows each others' names, if your not part of it, they don't care what your name is.

I'd stick a wink in there just to show that I'm not very upset about the rules. (I actually think they're hilarious!) But alas, I'd end up with more 'poo'. (And people wonder why their posts are misinterpreted). <snick>

I'm trying REALLY hard not to sign this.

Trying...

[cookie_gal]

I agree with the anti people and this is probably off-topic from original post but the cliqueness detected in one post shocked me and reminded me of what school was like where people were like that, cliqueness is dangerous as it leads to bullying and exclusion.

The 'Yes men' comment was very true and something I see frequently here too. And is worrying.

A signature is not hurting anyone and it doesn't even 'clog' things up as at a glance it looks like a part of the post.

I'm not going to go away, as I'll probably be told for not agreeing, because I lurk here a lot for the sake of my guinea pigs. They are the upmost importance to me.

[babybunny]

I don't know anyones name, nor do I really care if I do or don't. I don't have to like the rules here, but its not my forum. I don't pay to post. I don't have any "rights". So if they say no sigs. It means no sigs. If you want sigs (and by all means I love sigs, I have made tons) then go to a place which doesn't mind them.

It's like coming over to an open house, throwing a tantrum because they ask you to take off your shoes so as to keep the place clean.

It's not a cult because 1) No one is forcing you to visit here 2) No one is forcing you to post and 3) No one is forcing you to stay if you don't agree.

[sasnpipp]

Originally Posted by babybunny

It's like coming over to an open house, throwing a tantrum because they ask you to take off your shoes so as to keep the place clean.

That's a really good analogy. Is it used here often? If not, it should be. You spoiled it a bit by using the word 'tantrum', I don't think somebody saying something like, 'hey, my feet smell really bad, it might be best if I just wipe my shoes really well and walk carefully instead' could be considered a 'tantrum'. That's combative exaggeration. But otherwise it's a persuasive argument.

Originally Posted by babybunny

It's not a cult because 1) No one is forcing you to visit here 2) No one is forcing you to post and 3) No one is forcing you to stay if you don't agree.

I don't think any of the 39 San Diego cult members were forced to off themselves, neither were the majority of Jim Jones' group.

Stay away from the Kool-Aid.

[Maisiepaisie]

I've posted on many forums in the past and there isn't one that I totally agree with all the rules. There are one or two rules on here that I feel are pointless but at the same time there are other rules which I am grateful for which other forums don't have. I prefer the way this guinea pig forum is run over all others and thats the reason I post here. Whilst I might not agree with everything, its not that big an issue and I try to abide by the rules. If the rules annoy some people to such an extent then theres nothing to stop them starting their own forum. Its upto Cavyspirit to run this forum whichever way she wants. Its her forum and me and my pigs are very grateful its here.