A very silly Signature rule

[keveen]

I see that my signature has been removed and replaced with a "naughty boy" link for having too many links. I didn't know about the "rule". Sometimes rule-makers and their rules can be ridiculously pedantic and over the top. Rules are meant to be broken when necessary and since it must have been a moderator who altered my signature you might think some common sense would prevail. Why 2 urls? Why such an arbitray figure? Who cares? I've never found another forum that bothers with such things, just the length of the signature. All the links were my own sites, 3 Joomla sites and none of them commercial. What a silly rule. Please change it because is the free online world we don't want to be treated like children - and if no other forum I have found is bothered about how many links you have in a signature why should the Joomla! forum? 

[nathandiehl]

Thanks for your concerns. I am going to move this topic to the Official Forum Feedback.

Thanks again for your feedback!

[jmc]

I didn't know about the "rule".

Then, I suggest you read the Rules. 

Rules are meant to be broken

This point of view simply supports my points below.

the free online world

You seem to think that means "Anarchy" 

we don't want to be treated like children

Then don't behave like one! 
Oh... and:

if no other forum I have found is bothered about how many links you have in a signature why should the Joomla! forum?

Because they can! 

[keveen]

And my point is that people become entrenched with their silly pointless rules and enjoy making rules for no good purpose and do not respond to reasonable argument. Welcome to UK Plc. There is no purpose in creating a rule that makes no sense. There is no sense in restricting the number of urls especially when sites are personal and not an attempt to spam. Plus you don't say why no other Forum (I use dozens of them) bothers - they just restrict the number of characters, fair enough.

That's my point. If there is a logical, reasonable argument in favour of Joomla being the only forum I know of that has such a rule, I will accept the superior wisdom. I've defended my corner, now I'll move on.

[brad]

The rules we use have been tried and tested and developed over many years. The signature rules not only help keep the clutter down, ie easy on the eye, but also keep peoples desire to post just to self promote under control.

BTW, there are many other, very large forums with similar limitations. One I can think of is http://www.webhostingtalk.com

[jmc]

ridiculously pedantic... over the top... meant to be broken...

If that's an example of "reasonable argument" then I'm glad I'm not arguing with you. I too use dozens of different forums (including the one posted by Brad, as it happens!). I have spammy signatures in exactly NONE of them. And let's not obfuscate the issue, here - a url sig is spam, pure and simple. You really should read the rules when registering on a forum. Even if only to determine how thickly that Forum will allow you to layer on the spam! Complaining that you got a bum deal after signing up to something you didn't read is, after all, silly and pointless.
Welcome to the Free World of the Internet. Even here, sometimes the answer is No.
As you say, movin' on...

[MMMedia]

Sitepoint has similar signature rules.  http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/faq.php ... signatures

And my point is that people become entrenched with their silly pointless rules and enjoy making rules for no good purpose and do not respond to reasonable argument.

Nothing in your posts on this subject represent "reasonable argument".  You do seem to want to blame everyone else for your lack of reading the rules.  That is not reasonable argument either.

There is no sense in restricting the number of urls especially when sites are personal and not an attempt to spam.

Your site may be personal, but you are not the only user of this forum.  In fact there are about 156,522.  I can count on one hand members such as yourself that have declared a distinct issue with a request to adjust your signature to comply with the rules (just for fun - the percentage of members such as yourself that have had an issue - 0.0035%). 

With 5000 or so new members each month, the rules exist to keep the forum helpful and useful to all.

If there is a logical, reasonable argument in favour of Joomla being the only forum I know of that has such a rule, I will accept the superior wisdom.  I've defended my corner, now I'll move on.

See link above.  Many many forums have rules regarding signatures.  I suggest you visit a few more large community driven forums such as the link above, etc.  Some forums don't allow signatures or links at all.

[jmc]

Modzilla...
Heheheheh. Like it! 

[tydust]

I got busted for too many LINES in my signature (that included a blank line) pretty much on the day I became a moderator.  The rules apply to everyone.  I hadn't read the rule closely and I changed it without argument. 

Thanks for reporting me, by the way Jenny .

Anyway, Brad is right... if people were able to use their signatures to create backlinks, advertising, etc, it would detract from the integrity of our forum as HELP for Joomla users.  This is a help forum, its main purpose isn't even discussion, but rather support on a volunteer basis.  Your signature should not be very important to you, and if it is... it's because you're not using the forum for its intended purpose.

[mcsmom]

@Tydust

Me too!

There is a reason the Joomla! forums are so successful and useful. Carefully thought out rules is a big part of that.

@keveen
Of course rules can be discussed, but if you want to advocate for change I suggest thinking about what your strongest arguments would be and then making them rather than name calling.

[Frankd4]

This is the most useful forum going. Thanks to the moderators for keeping the anarchy to a minimum.