Sigs (Attention Dialup members)

[Ashley]

The staff and I have noticed that several users have quite large signatures, including large animated gifs or jpg images. At the moment, we're working on a new regulation system out of courtesy to our dialup members, but until a solution is finalized I'd like to remind users that you can turn off sig displays by going into your User CP, Edit Options, and unchecking the "show signatures" box.

If you have any questions I'll be happy to field them via PM. Thanks!

[JediSonic]

And let's not forget "Lite Mode"!

user cp>>edit options>>miscellaneous options>>forum skin

The perfect setup would be to be able to block certain member's sigs or a way of putting a maximum size on the sigs for viewing.

[dragonshimmer]

^^;; Eh...I'm slightly guilty of that recently. I shall fix soon ^_^

I think the idea is good as well.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Eh, if mine gets too big, fell free to PM... I try to keep it small...

[Hitokiri]

I was concerned about mine...is this madiatory for everyone? if so I will turn my off or lessen the pics.

[JoyfulSongs]

The staff and I have noticed that several users have quite large signatures, including large animated gifs or jpg images. At the moment, we're working on a new regulation system out of courtesy to our dialup members, but until a solution is finalized I'd like to remind users that you can turn off sig displays by going into your User CP, Edit Options, and unchecking the "show signatures" box.

If you have any questions I'll be happy to field them via PM. Thanks!

What exactly is "large"?

vvvv

[Ashley]

I was concerned about mine...is this madiatory for everyone? if so I will turn my off or lessen the pics

I'm not sure which part you're questioning--right now, it's not mandatory to turn off sigs. I just wanted to make users aware that this feature was available until we get something figured out similiar to the avatar code (i.e. the system will reject anything over a certain size/dimension).

What exactly is "large"?

I wish I could tell you specifics, but I can't. I'm a cable user, so I have no idea what is considered too large, but some of the staffers are still on dialup and we will ask their opinions on the matter chiefly.

[Hitokiri]

I'm not sure which part you're questioning--right now, it's not mandatory to turn off sigs. I just wanted to make users aware that this feature was available until we get something figured out similiar to the avatar code (i.e. the system will reject anything over a certain size/dimension).

You answered my question ^_^ I was wondering if this was mandiatory for all the members till you guys fix this.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Giant sigs are taking up all the bandwidth. I come to CAA often and most of the time its not working and thats because to many people post big pictures for not reason and peoples sigs are too big or they have to many.

[Arnobius]

Giant sigs are taking up all the bandwidth. I come to CAA often and most of the time its not working and thats because to many people post big pictures for not reason and peoples sigs are too big or they have to many.

That might explain why things slow down and freeze even with a 3mbps connection. Usually if I want to post, I have to wait until late...

[Omega Amen]

Giant sigs are taking up all the bandwidth.

That cannot be true.

All signature images are not hosted from CAA. Therefore, they cannot be affecting CAA's bandwidth problems (i.e. "not working" or "There seems to be a slight problem with the database"). If I remember correctly (staff, please correct me if I do not), there are other accounts on the same server that CAA is on, and their traffic will affect the service of CAA.

As for input, I am making this post from a 26.4 kbps modem connection from my home in Florida. I have used this connection for the past three weeks, and I have also used this for several months during the summer. I have always had signatures turned on even then, and it did not bother me. (But then I am not a staff member who has to scan through a lot of threads quickly.)

It should be noted that we did have Sig Rules on width/height dimensions and file size earlier this year. I have made sure my signature fits with these rules, but other members (especially new ones) are not aware of them.

Click here to see the previous rules. We might as well follow the rules that are already in place, while we wait for the staff to implement their new measures. (If you want a quick reference to comply with these rules, you can look at my sig. It is compliant.)

[Ashley]

All signature images are not hosted from CAA. Therefore, they cannot be affecting CAA's bandwidth problems (i.e. "not working" or "There seems to be a slight problem with the database"). If I remember correctly (staff, please correct me if I do not), there are other accounts on the same server that CAA is on, and their traffic will affect the service of CAA.

Correct. No sig is hosted here, thus it doesn't take up our bandwidth and Omega is right, we share space with other sites that effects us. All in all, listen to Omega; he nailed it all.

[Azier the Swordsman]

While we're on the subject, exactly what IS causing the dreaded "database" error? I get it almost every other day.

And I have cable as well.

[shooraijin]

We have to share a limited number of database handles with the other sites on this single computer. When those systems get busy, they also limit the load, which is particularly tight during prime time and peak usage here.

[Godly Paladin]

The staff and I have noticed that several users have quite large signatures, including large animated gifs or jpg images. At the moment, we're working on a new regulation system out of courtesy to our dialup members, but until a solution is finalized I'd like to remind users that you can turn off sig displays by going into your User CP, Edit Options, and unchecking the "show signatures" box.

If you have any questions I'll be happy to field them via PM. Thanks!

Is mine too big?

[Shao Feng-Li]

Larger pictures just take longer to load right? That would be the cause of the slowdowns?

[Cap'n Nick]

TAKE OFF EVERY SIG...FOR GREAT JUSTICE!!!

Okay you can slap me now.

[Fsiphskilm]

I thought it was "ZIG"

[Cap'n Nick]

Volt, I like your mini tags at the bottom - lots of links, not a lot of space.

I was thinking it would be cool to have a "rotating" sig. It would use an animated .gif or scripting to move different things into the same space, so you could advertise all your junk without flooding the screen. The only problem is I can't think of a way to make the link change with the picture.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Hey if you use Fire Fox right click on a gigantic picture and select "Block images from www. cool adress>.com. Well, if you're not using the same web site... Now if I could find out hoe to veiw Zippo Master's sig pic again... Yeah, that's how I found out about it.

[Bobtheduck]

Above all else, I think bitmaps should not be in sigs... No need for uncompressed images in signiatures... I haven't seen too much of this, though, so it probably isn't too big a concern, but if it happens a lot, those rather LARGE small pics will add up, making it a pain for us dialuppers... I can patiently wait for decent size jpegs, but those bitmaps...

[agasfas]

I think people are getting off the main point, that being too many people have bigger sigs then needed. Like many have said, there is no point in putting a hundred different pictures in your sig. Putting random pictures in just for the sake of having it there. It really looks a bit hectic and unkempt--overall not a good look. Although it doesn't effect my load time, it's just annoying to see such huge sigs-- some over a 1/2 page long. There's really no point to it. I know what it's like to be on dial-up and and it's no fun to wait 5mins to have a page load. Oh and like Bobtheduck stated, bitmaps are a no-no. Sig should be a small thing that reflects a little bit about our personality, not our who life story.

Personally, I wouldn't make a sig any bigger then Omega_Amen's or Volts. Both are reasonable in size and easy on the eyes. It's all about courtesy-- not to abusing the sig.

[CobaltAngel]

I have dial-up, and what reeeaaally kills my connection are animated gifs.

[Fsiphskilm]

I'm getting rid of the "My