So, should we not use sig files in our posts? I've just been accused of "pimping" by using my sig file and sometimes answering posts that are relative to the type of hosting I offer.

I've only just started to use a sig file and for me it's not about promoting. For me it's all about my hosting business being a part of a larger hosting community and being accountable to the community etc.

So,

(1). Are sig files just blatent mini ads?

(2). Should they be banned alltogher??

(3). How many would still post if they couldn't show their sig file?

Just curious to know what others think here. :)

Ban sigs and you begin the slow slide to becoming a crappy website.

I like sigs. It lets you know who your answer is coming from. If I had a question about dedicated servers, I would rather get a response from "Jeff, of tranxactglobal dedicated servers" than just "Jeff."

I like the sigs, shouldn't be banned.

Originally posted by Avail
I like sigs. It lets you know who your answer is coming from. If I had a question about dedicated servers, I would rather get a response from "Jeff, of tranxactglobal dedicated servers" than just "Jeff."
Agreed. There's also a lot more accountability in your posting when you attach your business in each post via your sig etc.

Imagine posting a question into the dedicated servers section and only being able to have people who do not run a dedicated servers business eligable to post a reply. Gee, what a great forum this would be then hey?? ;) :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
. . . . .I've just been accused of "pimping" by using my sig file and sometimes answering posts that are relative to the type of hosting I offer. . . . .The problem with that is; as a host, it is against forum rules (though a rule that isn't enforced as much as others) for you to direct other members to the Advertising Forum. Therefore, I can understand someone objecting to you often doing that very thing. So I doubt it had anything to do with your signature. Unless it's a post I'm unaware of; or you were contacted by PM or something.From the WHT Rules Page

Participants who are associated with a web hosting company may not use the main Forums to direct others to the advertising Forums.

Personally; I think the rule needs to leave, or be enforced.

But then, I'm one that believes rules should be followed whether we agree with them or not.

Back on topic . . . . . . Signatures :agree:

i say keep em lol. i like to know if someone replying is from a certain host. im big enough and ugly enough to cipher out the bs from the honest replies. plus when someone says something if i know theyre a dc owner and its about say fibre or a router or something then ill take it as higher standing then a reseller if you catch my drift.
its simply a matter of better the devil you know :)

as for pimping, if they cant stand the competition ;) but seriously i dont consider it an issue, its not blatant. its not u jumping in and saying they blow goats buy off me im the dogs danglies. let it ride, they obviously have problems. just remind them theres surgery to make it bigger these days, they needed feel so inferior ;)

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
The problem with that is; as a host, it is against forum rules (though a rule that isn't enforced as much as others) for you to direct other members to the Advertising Forum. Therefore, I can understand someone objecting to you often doing that very thing. So I doubt it had anything to do with your signature. Unless it's a post I'm unaware of; or you were contacted by PM or something.

Personally; I think the rule needs to leave, or be enforced.

But then, I'm one that believes rules should be followed whether we agree with them or not.

Back on topic . . . . . . Signatures :agree:
Hmmmm, that's an interesting "rule" there. I have never seen that rule enforced too. I don't see what I've got to gain by suggesting to a newbie that they post into the Request's section of the forum. I've seen this happen many dozens of times by others. It's not like I'm pointing them to my ad that I have in the Offer's section or anything.

Originally posted by richy
as for pimping, if they cant stand the competition ;) but seriously i dont consider it an issue, its not blatant. its not u jumping in and saying they blow goats buy off me im the dogs danglies. let it ride, they obviously have problems. just remind them theres surgery to make it bigger these days, they needed feel so inferior ;)
:laugh: I don't think that was the case, but thanks for the laugh anways. :)

sigs are great...look at mine :D

Originally posted by Aussie Bob

Hmmmm, that's an interesting "rule" there. I have never seen that rule enforced too. I don't see what I've got to gain by suggesting to a newbie that they post into the Request's section of the forum. I've seen this happen many dozens of times by others. It's not like I'm pointing them to my ad that I have in the Offer's section or anything. I'm not about to look for all your posts. But you have done that exact thing. You have told forum members to start a thread in the Requests Forum, and then responded to their request.
That doesn't seem like a blantant rule violation to you?
I said that mods tend to overlook this rule. I should have been more clear that they tend to overlook it when the host that suggests someone post in the Requests forum *doesn't* do it just so they can make an offer or suggest their services.
I imagine the only reason a mod hasn't said anything to you is because they are unaware.
I am not attempting to flame you in any way. I am merely trying to enlighten.

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
I'm not about to look for all your posts. But you have done that exact thing. You have told forum members to start a thread in the Requests Forum, and then responded to their request.
That doesn't seem like a blantant rule violation to you?
No. What I really said was -

It's not like I'm pointing them to my ad that I have in the Offer's section or anything.
Offer's section and Request's section. I was talking about not referring anyone to MY post in the Offer's section.
I said that mods tend to overlook this rule. I should have been more clear that they tend to overlook it when the host that suggests someone post in the Requests forum *doesn't* do it just so they can make an offer or suggest their services.
That's a fine line there, IMO.
I imagine the only reason a mod hasn't said anything to you is because they are unaware.
So can I suggest to folks that they use the Request's forum only if I don't respond to their request in the request's forum? :confused:

So if a newbie comes in and posts into the "webhosting" section that they are looking for and need a dedicated server, then members here who run a dedicated server business cannot suggest they post into the request's forum and then make an offer to their request?
I am not attempting to flame you in any way. I am merely trying to enlighten.
No worries. Flaming was the furtherst from my mind. I'm just trying to get some clarity on this topic. :)

BAN THEM!(Im going out so I can't write a good response right now, I will when I get home.)

Chris

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
. . . . . . I'm just trying to get some clarity on this topic. :) I would suggest writing to moderators@webhostingtalk.com if you have any questions about the rules. They're the only ones that can answer your questions.
I could give you my opinions on the specifics you stated, but they would only be SWRs opinions and not that of WHT. :)

Originally posted by appletreats
Ban sigs and you begin the slow slide to becoming a crappy website.


Why?


(I have no opinion either way at this point. But I'm curious the reasons behind your assertion.)

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
I've only just started to use a sig file and for me it's not about promoting.


HAHAHA LOL. Please.

It never is.

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
I would suggest writing to moderators@webhostingtalk.com if you have any questions about the rules. They're the only ones that can answer your questions.
I could give you my opinions on the specifics you stated, but they would only be SWRs opinions and not that of WHT. :)
Thanks. Will do. :)

Originally posted by Shyne


HAHAHA LOL. Please.

It never is.
Ahhh :eek: as I said -
For me it's all about my hosting business being a part of a larger hosting community and being accountable to the community etc.
But you know better hey?? ;) :D :)

Let's not deceive ourselves into not believing that a large part of the posting here is for the purpose of promoting, whether directly or whether through reputation.

However, there are specific rules that control the limits to that promotion and they must be followed and enforced consistently.

That's no different that a city ordinance that allows you to put the name of your business over your storefront, but does not allow you to erect an 80 foot billboard.

As for here, I like things just the way they are today. Controlled and limited, but still of value to the hosts and providers.

This debate always comes up. Sigs are great. I just don't use them, because I don't want a client base coming from WHT. That is just me. 99% of people find no issue with sigs.

However, some people have no clue. They play other members on WHT for fools, post in threads only related to their service offers, have no interest in helping others, but only to get business. That is why there are rules. Some of us come here to get a good feel for trends. To see where things are going. We don't want to come here to see the new guy/girl on the block shove their sig and need for business down our necks.

Offering advise only to play "Look at me! Look at me!" is disgusting to me. It is like begging. Maybe some of us think you are putting one past the members here. But I assure you. You are not. Some of us will let you know.

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
I've only just started to use a sig file and for me it's not about promoting.


So you *just* started using your sig to help others? Ahhh thanks Aussie Bob!


PS... Dennis (SoftWareRevue) is one of the nicest guys around here and by far the most read - meaning he reads evry post! :). He is politally telling you others see your post and use of the sig as promoting.

There's nothing wrong with sigs. The board has appropriate rules to keep them in check.

I hate SIGs. Very annoying. Ban 'em. Trash 'em. They take up space. They're usually nothing more than blatant plugs. And, they don't offer any advantage (except for the poster who is "advertising").

If someone wants to know who you are, they don't need a SIG.
They can always click on the "www" or "profile" buttons. As long as the appropriate information is provided, these should suffice.

I also don't like SIGs in email. I only use them in the case of support emails sent out for one of my sites. The SIG contains navigation information for my sites so that my users can find stuff they're looking for.

I enjoy having the sigs, especially considering i get about 10 unique visits a day for my freebie site via my sig on WHT :D,
Plus as stated on this thread it gives posters character, as to who they are, and what they do.

Definately a bonus!

You have the option not to view them in the control panel

If people don't want to see them then they can choose not to.

Thanks

Originally posted by rmartin
You have the option not to view them in the control panel

If people don't want to see them then they can choose not to.

Thanks
Excellent point. I forgot all about that. :)

I've been posting here for months with no sig or "www" link. Only in the last 2 weeks or so have I added the sig and the "www" link. And 1 week of that 2 week period, I was not accepting any new orders due to a server/plans upgrade etc. I've only responded to posts in the requests section of the forum in the last few weeks too. So much for the only posting into this forum to "pimp" :rolleyes:

To me the sig and "www" link is about bringing my business out into the open and subject to criticism of the wider hosting community. I like the criticism. It's good to let others cast an constructive and even a negative eye over your site and pull you up if you're out of line here or there.

It's also about being part of a larger hosting community and proudly displaying your business. Sure, there are promotional benefits in this, but it goes beyond mere promotion to something deeper. It's about belonging.

I see this forum as a gathering of minds that all work in the same field. For me to get involved in this forum is benificial in many ways other than "I'm here to promote". Promotion is a natural result of being active and interacting with others and learning from those who have gone before.

Some come into this great gathering wearing the badge of their business on their suit and others choose not to. Either way, it's cool. :)

Originally posted by rmartin
You have the option not to view them in the control panel

If people don't want to see them then they can choose not to.

Thanks Great! Thanks for the tip. I wasn't aware of that. I should put this tip in my SIG ;)

I went straight away and changed the option. Amazing how much more readable the forum has become.

Originally posted by phpjames
sigs are great...look at mine :D

yes i like mine too, but it looks like certain browsers simply dont show it :(

Originally posted by Mike the newbie
Why?

(I have no opinion either way at this point. But I'm curious the reasons behind your assertion.)

Because sigs are a happy way for people to identify themselves in every post, and maybe add in a little crazy thing (like me! :)) Sigs are a basic freedom of board users. Once they are taken away, what's next? Smilies? Message icons? POST EDITING?!?! AAAAA!!! :angry:

Originally posted by appletreats
. . . . .Once they are taken away, what's next?. . . . :pimp: I believe apples (or fruit in general) would be the next logical step.

Some come into this great gathering wearing the badge of their business on their suit and others choose not to. Either way, it's cool.

Some people wear the badge to promote and play others for fools. Just like a corrupt cop. Lets see Aussie Bob..... I see this in your sig ...

Multiple Domain Name Hosting.
Accepting new clients for the time being.

I guess that isn't "pimping". :rolleyes:

More like begging........ here is a quarter [throws quarter in hat]
:)

Originally posted by appletreats


Because sigs are a happy way for people to identify themselves in every post, and maybe add in a little crazy thing (like me! :)) Sigs are a basic freedom of board users. Once they are taken away, what's next? Smilies? Message icons? POST EDITING?!?! AAAAA!!! :angry:



Well, it would appear to me that there is a rather large grey area between the banning of sigs and the allowing of any sig the author desires.

I remain unconvinced that the world will implode based upon the outcome of this thread. :D