Signature trends

[JLC]

In order to avoid unreasonable scrolling and problems with formatting, we request that users abide by reasonable image size limits as may be set by the Admin Council. In particular, we ask avatars be limited to no more than 120 pixels wide by 150 pixels high and 15 kilobytes, profile pictures be limited to 200 pixels wide by 200 pixels high and 20 kilobytes, signature banners be limited to no more than 450 pixels wide by 100 pixels high and 20 kilobytes, and signatures be limited to 6 lines of text without a banner graphic on a 1024x768 resolution screen or 2 lines with a banner on the same resolution.


If you do not know how to resize images, please do not post or use any as avatars or signature banners until you have worked it out. You may find this site's FAQ section useful.

We have been noticing recently that more and more signatures are well outside of this boundary. A few sigs had a couple extra lines now and then...and we don't take rulers out to measure the banners...and things start to slide a bit. Pretty soon, people are competing to have the flashiest, fanciest, most witty, coolest signature around.

No doubt that we have some extremely talented and gifted folks among our members, but we must ask that you contain that talent within the guidelines provided. And while we do not have a specific rule against animation in your sigs, keep in mind that most people find animation in this format to be annoying and distracting, rather than impressive. We would ask that such flashy graphics be kept to a subtle, tasteful minimum.

It is common and popular to list your collection in your signature, and that is fine. But again, you must do so within the rules. If you have more than four or five animals (or people...LOL) that you want to list, then you'll have to list them side-by-side rather than vertically. We also have a block in your user profile specifically for listing your collection so you can still show off.

Please take some time to review the rules and your signatures and make whatever adjustments are necessary. Our purpose here is to discuss our animals, learn great stuff, and make friends...so let's not let that get bogged down, cluttered up and distracted by huge, flashy signatures.

Thank you for your understanding. There is not another community anywhere on the Internet that we'd rather be a part of!! You guys rock!!!!

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

What are the rules on using and

in the signature line?

[frankykeno]

I don't personally know the rules for animated smileys in the signature lines Bryan so I'll defer to more experienced folks on the Mod/Admin team to properly answer your question. However, when I recommended the new smilies I did so with the intention they be used solely within posts just for a fun addition to our forum experience.

[JLC]

At the moment, there is no specific rule against animation in signatures...but as I mentioned, most people will find it annoying rather than cool or impressive. A little bit of subtle animation can be artistic...but rows of bouncing smilies in every post you make can get irritating. Use your better judgement when deciding on putting smilies and such in your signature.


If people get carried away with that, we can always make a new rule...

[JLC]

REMINDER BUMP!!

Hey folks...we're still seeing a lot of signatures that are way too long. Mostly long lists of pets now, but still one or two with graphics that should be pared down as well.

We've had some people already get rid of sigs they liked because they were too long, so it's hardly fair to allow others to continue to have long, long lists.

...signature banners be limited to no more than 450 pixels wide by 100 pixels high and 20 kilobytes, and signatures be limited to 6 lines of text without a banner graphic on a 1024x768 resolution screen or 2 lines with a banner on the same resolution.

Here are some suggestions if you enjoy having your whole collection listed. Instead of listing them on individual lines, just list them side by side in more of a sentence format. You can get a lot of pets into six lines that way. You can color your text to make it stand out and easier to read if you want. Also, you can use the size-1 font and fit in a couple extra lines. The six line limit should approximate the amount of space six lines of standard size-2 font would take up.

I know it may seem like a silly or picky rule...but its something that can easily get out of hand if there are no boundaries at all. Thank you.

REMINDER BUMP!!!

[JLC]

First violation: warning via PM and request for editing/deletion of material in violation. Second violation: warning via PM and removal of avatar or signature by staff. Further or extreme violations WILL cause you to lose your avatar or signature privileges.

If you're not sure if your sig is within the rules, please feel free to PM any staff member and ask.

[recycling goddess]

personally i appreciate this rule. i hate scrolling forever to get to the bottom of someone's sig. and i especially don't like the huge banners in sig lines.

so thanks to the staff and moddies here!!! keep up the good work!

[4theSNAKElady]

I removed some lines and sized down my fonts.....I am totally clueless when someone starts talking "computerese" stuff like "pixels" and "bytes" and stuff, my boyfriend is the computer genius around here...so just to be on the sure side, I figured I'd just ask if my sig is ok.....but yes, I do agree that there was too much unneccessary scrolling, and c'mon now, the forum is great enough wothout all those bells and whistles...

[JLC]

...so just to be on the sure side, I figured I'd just ask if my sig is ok....

Looks fine to me. Thank you!

[4theSNAKElady]

Thanks Judy!!!!!