Zoom Gear & Home Recording Forum

In looking at people's signatures (you know, the automatic tag line at the end of a person's post) on the forum, I've noticed they break down into the following categories:

1. no sig
2. sig with poorly formed links
3. really long sigs and really tall sigs
4. perfectly delightful and lovely sigs

In there interests of pushing more people into the last category, I thought a brief tutorial would be helpful. So here are some thoughts.

First, for those who don't know how to do a sig, it's relatively easy. At the top right of this and every page on the forum is a link to your User Control Panel. This takes you to a page full of whimsical wonderful magical crap. Navigate your a$$ to the Profile | Edit Signature in the Options panel (see the pic below).



Ok, now whatever you put in the box on the right will be your sig. But it helps if you know how to use BBCode, or at least how to click a button, since all the code you need can be added using the buttons above the box (just like a regular post on the forum). For example, here is the code for my sig:


You could easily just copy that, then edit the links and the text to create your own sig. Or start from scratch.

Ok, so let's talk about the problems I see in some sigs. First, go easy on the fonts. Use one size, preferably the default size, and one color, preferably one that does not burn my eyeballs. Black works well. (Links automatically turn blue)

Second, use link text. Why? because this looks ugly:
http://music.podshow.com/music/listener ... def9cbc78d
But this looks better:
PodSafe

Believe me, you're far more likely to get a click on the second, cleaner version of that link.

Third, you've got horizontal space. Use it. If you stack your information vertically like a rickety skyscraper, you force everyone to scroll more as they read the thread.

I could go on for about another 10 hours, but I have to go yell at some kids to get off my lawn. So for now I'll just add a slight incentive to anyone thinking of cleaning up their sig. If you update your signature, please make a post to this thread to let us know what you changed. This will become a gallery of beautiful (I hope) sigs to inspire the world.

Rock on.

Thanks Zoetrope, changed mine...

Mine long enough for ya?

So then mine's OK, except that I didn't use "link text?" My links look ugly? Personally, I don't think so at all. I think they look like links. I think those other, one-word shorty things look suspicious. Like, hey you, are you a link, or what? What are you trying to hide? You think you're better than the rest of us, link? If the Good Lord wanted links to look like that, He, in His infinite wisdom, would have made them that way in the first place! Who am I to second-guess the Higher Power that made links the way they are? Repent, sinner!

A link is better than no link, but I prefer not having to right click and open in new tab or window so I'm agreeing with grumpy old guy. No not me, the other grumby guy. At the very least, put in a soundclick/cloud or whatever link so we can listen to yer stuff without having to go find a song thread of yours.
Anyway, to get a new window don't forget to use the urlx tags.

Hi. My name is Matty. I'm a stackaholic.

Fixed it.



I've found this is more enjoyable while riding a Rascal, or even a Jazzy.

Well done.

This got me laughing out loud for real, thank you very much.

I dunno, is my sig ok? Or is the small font annoying? I thought, after all people might want to read my equipment list just once, and then it just beacomes an annoying obstacle to scrolling, that's why I made it so small. Whenever you want to read it you can zoom in, read, and then zoom out and it becomes scroll-friendly again. You ok with that, or just hating the small size?

It's not annoying, it's just that I can't read it. Nothing personal, but I doubt that I'd bother to zoom in to read something this small.

I doubt anyone is bothering to zoom in, assuming they even have the know how to do it. Might as well use a normal font size, it would only add a little height (since you're not a "stacker") and would make the list readable.

Is this acceptable?

Personally, I would never bother to read that (now that I actually can) but perhaps it's of interest to others. One possibility is to put equipment lists in profiles (perhaps under "interests"), then link to the profile. In your case the link would be: Equipment List

Temporarily done. I'll put up a page somewhere with pictures. Yeah, sometimes in the future, when it's all well.

Elegant.

Dear Sir,
Am I alone in wondering whether the recent increased activity of our noble Lord and Master, Zoetrope, is in any way linked to the recently reported ferocious solar activity about which so many of us have not a clue?

I think we deserve to know

I remain, etc

Chas

It relates directly to a recent shipment of high quality cocaine into the region. My productivity has skyrocketed.

Zoe the Man,
I don't believe those substance abuse rumors for one second, no way.

On the other hand, The Solar Activity Theory extends from the plexus region to the large and small intestines, and then you're on countdown to the big ignition. Of course, you may have followed my advice and gone high fiber!! I knew Bones was right!

What I don't understand is why you would want anyone to have a signature on their 'bottom section' at all. I mean, does anyone ever go there other than my proctologist? The whole suggestion appalls me. Spock was also 'puzzled' by the mere suggestion. But Bones always did believe that the Vulcan digestive system worked in reverse order to ours.

As for scaring off those bare-footed Hippies of tomorrow from your lawn, it's your call. Though it's certainly better than any monograph on your bottom bits!

Yours (in warp drive)

Bill