Forum Suggestions & User Assistance - Sig Lines and Ads - Policy?

Hi Joe:

We now have at least one member with a full-blown ad in his sig line at the bottom of his posts using very large fonts to bring attention to his sale page link - for example,
==============================

My Website WITH STUFF FOR SALE

Shoot Video While Riding! < Viosport helmet cams

================================

Is this within the boundaries allowed by Bike Forums?

I know that there are likely several of us who have bicycle-related things we would like to advertise in this manner.

Can we do this also?

I would prefer that they were not there too. They distract.

I think it's applesauce.

Thanks for the post Denver.

What would you consider a reasonable signature?

How about: 4 lines normal size or 6 lines small size and up to 90 chars per line. Font sizes above 2 are not allowed.

Joe- I bet there's room for an ad or two on these pages. I really don't like ads but that IS the American way. I wouldn't blame you. I might even be interested at some point in the future, who knows?

Up at the top of every page, between the "BikeForums" graphic and the need help link there's room for a sweet little revenue generating ad.

Mike, there will be ad's in the near future, once i can provide all donating members with an ad-less version :)

Now why didn't I think of that?? Very good idea. Revenue would go through the roof and almost everybody would be happy...

If i can get to the point where the site pays for itself, i'll be happy :)

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
Thanks for the post Denver.

What would you consider a reasonable signature?

How about: 4 lines normal size or 6 lines small size and up to 90 chars per line. Font sizes above 2 are not allowed.

I guess the above would be fine.

Most sigs I see are simply

======================
The Handle or motto or something
Link if any

This is an interesting discussion. I, too have noticed that ad and think it is a bit much. When I launched my business a few weeks ago I decided that one of the biggest threats to my success would be to use "ambush marketing" tactics. People hate to have things thrown in their face, especially when they are just trying to talk bikes and relax. Exposure is important but being annoying is deadly.

I hope that people feel that my signature is acceptable. I also make darn sure that I am posting when I have something meaningful (or funny) to say. For that reason I lurk a lot and post some.

Do I have plans to try to reach the users of this site more directly as Milan-San Remo approaches? Sure. Will I make darn sure that my message appears in the Shameless Promotions section? You better believe it.

Frankly, I think that it is great that such a section is provided. It generally works to keep the rest of the site "clean."

Love the site, by the way! I see a lot of humour and good advice exchanged here. One thing about cycling: You can't always talk to the folks at work about it, unless you work at a shop. That makes sites like this really important.

I have no problems with ads in sig lines, but large size fonts in these ads can be very annoying.

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
Mike, there will be ad's in the near future, once i can provide all donating members with an ad-less version :)

As a donating member - I have absolutely NO problem with seeing ads, even after donating, and I bet no one else does, either.

I don't think you should spend your time on this, and I think I will do a short poll on the subject to reassure you (I hope :o)

I hate the idea of having strict rules like that on a signature. How about just no ads in a signature. It easy, its simple. Rather than a certain number of characters per line etc..... I do agree with no font sizes larger than 2 though.

Originally posted by DnvrFox
We now have at least one member with a full-blown ad in his sig line at the bottom of his posts using very large fonts to bring attention to his sale page
Well, this one individual is really the only particularly offensive one, isn't it? The overblown sig (often bigger than his posts) doesn't bug me nearly as much as the flashing yellow avatar. All that's missing is the scantily clad female. :roflmao:

Originally posted by DnvrFox
We now have at least one member with a full-blown ad in his sig line at the bottom of his posts using very large fonts to bring attention to his sale page link - for example,
==============================

My Website WITH STUFF FOR SALE

Shoot Video While Riding! < Viosport helmet cams

================================

Is this within the boundaries allowed by Bike Forums?

When I see text like this in posts I sometimes have a hard time finding the actual response because I'm distracted by the LARGE TEXT!!

I like Joe's idea of limiting the size of the text and length of the "ad".

Stupid question, but why do we need the Buy-Sell-Trade and Shameless Promotions forums if someone is going to advertise his/her products, website, etc. in every post?

I don't see anything wrong with the sig in question. To be honest it is still 100X better than the other sites allows banners, pics etc...it is not even close to that. And it isn't even remotely offensive. Big! Yes!. Offensive...no..

And selling things is the america way.

Why not require sig lines to be 'text only' (no HTML)? That would eliminate this whole issue and font size limits and character limits would not be needed.

What is the difference between a donating member and a non donating member?

I think there is a thing called a "Personal Message" here at bikeforums. Maybe you all have never used it? You could have just asked me to make them smaller....or whatever you want but you had to go and ***** about it to everybody on the forums. None of you are mature enough to try to talk to me? Wow.

Originally posted by newmtb
What is the difference between a donating member and a non donating member?


Haha thats a good one.

Don't give yourself so much credit, Klein :-) This thread isn't about you, it's about the sig line policy.

BTW- I still think it is a good idea to prohibit HTML in sig lines.

Originally posted by newmtb
What is the difference between a donating member and a non donating member?

I will assume that you are serious and answer you accordingly. Some of us have chosen to send Joe Gardner a few dollars to help keep this site running. In return, we get a nice warm feeling and a shiny red star next to our names. (See my star?) If you want to be a donating member, too, just scroll to the bottom of any page and click on the underlined, small print words "donating member" (http://www.bikeforums.net/donate.html). That will take you to the page of instructions. You can send cash or check by snail mail. You can use your credit card. You can even pay with PayPal. It's easy! :)

Now, be my boyfriend, Newmtb! :love:

Originally posted by cycletourist
Don't give yourself so much credit, Klein :-) This thread isn't about you, it's about the sig line policy.

Its about me because I was used as an example.:D

Originally posted by newmtb
What is the difference between a donating member and a non donating member?

Holy GOD! Think about it!

How do people like you remain in the gene pool?

Thread closed. I don't know why i need to remind any of you guys about the guidelines, you should all know them by now.

Harrassment... Harassment occurs when a member insults, attacks, and denigrates another member at any time. We have zero tolerance for taking an argument about a any topic to a personal level. For instance, the use of terms such as "idiot, moron, stupid" and other derogatory terms constitutes harassment. Repeated critical and sharply negative posts toward a forum member can also constitute harassment.