Signature abuse. Limit Advertising in Forums

When will the Lindens realize that advertising in the forums is getting out of control? The purpose of the forums is to get questions answered and exchange points of view not clog them with personal and garish exploits of self promotion.

I see posts constantly where it was obvious that someone weighed in for sole purpose of getting their ad in the the thread. I have even seen replies that contained nothing more than the signature with the advert and no content at all!

I don't think promoting your interests or endeavors should be completely eliminated but I think all graphics should be stopped in signatures and that text should be limited by a warning not to do more than some reasonable amount and rely on a complaint and warn, case by case basis, for the rest.

The intent of signatures was not to promote but to inform. It always takes the 10% of a population to require rules and laws. Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it.

BTW, it might help the performance of the forums if they did not have to store and show so much redundant graphics.

While we do have Classified forums on here, yes, some signatures can be ungainly. That's why I have them turned off:

http://forums.secondlife.com/profile.php?do=editoptions

More selectively, however, if you have concerns with some people's signatures, talk to them. Ask them nicely--sometimes, a Resident isn't even aware their signature is ginormous in proportions (e.g., big ad).

Self-promotion by itself, however, isn't against the guidelines.

Images are usually hotlinked from elsewhere--if you have a specific compilation of "worst" ones in your eyes, please email me with the list: [email]torley@lindenlab.com[/email].

Coming up with a policy might be too frictional (I'm not an arbiter of good taste) and take too much time better spent on other things, unless you already have something which you'd like to announce in the Feature Voting Tool and garner community support--please do!