Why can't we have URLs in signatures?

[bungeshea]

Why?

[nxtreme]

No need to rehash something and remember, Google is your friend. https://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/mind ... &t=30#p200, https://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/mind ... rt=10#p293

[bungeshea]

Sorry. I am pretty new to Mindboards.

[nxtreme]

Don't worry about it. Now you know for next time, right?

[muntoo]

https://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/mind ... p=301#p301

Signature spammers were the reason.

- Xander

I don't quite get how this is going to stop spammers. They could just post "text links". In fact, it's a hindrance to us other users, as we have to make our signatures longer (using the "text URLs") rather than being able to embed the link within the text.

Also, people are less likely to go to the link we put in our signatures because they can't 'click' it. Second* rule of marketing: make it easy! It's harder to copy and paste links... especially if they're long. (bit.ly fixes this problem, but I don't trust bit.ly links too much.)

*The first is: There are no rules. The third is reserved for the chosen one.

[nxtreme]

I don't quite get how this is going to stop spammers.

You explained exactly how/why in the second part of your post, snipped below.

Also, people are less likely to go to the link we put in our signatures because they can't 'click' it. Second* rule of marketing: make it easy! It's harder to copy and paste links... especially if they're long.

And Chrome at least has a function that lets you just triple click on a un-linked link, right click and select "Go to XXX", XXX being the URL. Sure, it's a bit more work but it saves our mods work and there is a section for links under your profile if you really have to have a linked link. Also, the less "in your face" the better, in my opinion. If I really want to visit Stack Exchange to commit to the Lego Mindstorms section, I will.

[mattallen37]

For one website, you can just use the button in your profile appearance on the right. The one right next to PM.

[HaWe]

I find it ok as it is.
Also the signatures might be limited to smaller ones (even mine, of course)^^
- and spare images ;)

[mattallen37]

I find it ok as it is.
Also the signatures might be limited to smaller ones (even mine, of course)^^
- and spare images

Signatures may not exceed 4 lines or have anything other than normal sized fonts in them.

[muntoo]

@matt

Official thread.