Stratadrake Elder Than Dirt
Joined: 05 May 2004 Posts: 13710 Location: Moo
|
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 12:29 pm Post subject: Forum Signature Rules and Guidelines |
|
|
([i]Forum Shortcut[/i]: Type [b]url:[/b][b]rules:sig[/b] to produce a link to this topic while in the forums.)
A few users have received warnings and/or had their signatures censored lately, [i]all for the same reason as each other[/i]. Because of this, a quick review of our rules on forum signatures appears to be in order.
[size=12][b]Quick Rules:[/b][/size]
[list][*]Sig cannot be larger than this box.[/list:u]
[img]http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/Stratelier/sigsize.gif[/img]
[list][*]Clean, G-rated content only.
[*]No heavily animated or distracting images.
[*]No links to promote other sites (though linking your gallery page(s) is fine)
[/list:u]
[size=12][b]Further Explanation of Rules[/b][/size]
[list][*][u]Size (Dimensions)[/u]. As a general rule of thumb, your signature should never be larger than your average 'short' post. Therefore, please keep your signature within a [i]total[/i] size (images and text counted together) size of [b]450 pixels wide by 150 pixels tall[/b].
We do realize that your differing text size settings and monitor resolutions will cause some signatures to display and/or wrap differently from how they appear to other users; we are lenient on the exact limit (e.g. we probably won't remove a signature just because it measured 452x151 instead of 450x150), but do not attempt to "test" this limit (or our patience on the matter) either. Signatures which are too tall may be subject to moderation, with or without prior warning, starting with the largest images or text contained in it.
This is generally the most common reason leading to pruning and/or removal of a user's signature.
Because this limit applies to both text AND images, here are a few guidelines to help keep you from reaching that limit:
- If you wish to "tile" several images together, please keep the [i]total width less than 600 pixels.[/i] Otherwise the tiled images may wrap onto a new row and cause a significant increase in height.
- "Banner" images should be no more than [b]100 pixels tall[/b], so as to leave space for extra text above or below the image, without going over the limit. If the banner image itself is 150px tall, your signature has [i]already[/i] hit the limit and any additional content may cause the signature to be deemed too large, and subject to moderation.
[*][u]Bandwidth[/u]. This relates mostly to the use of images in your forum signature. Please be considerate of users on slower "dial-up" connections and avoid making heavy use of animated GIF's in your forum signature. In general, please avoid including any animated GIF file that weighs more than about 50kb, and avoid using more than 200kb [i]in total[/i] (all image file sizes added together) of animations. Again, we are lenient on the exact limit, but if a signature includes a very large-sized animation, your signature may be subject to moderation or removal, starting with whichever image/element has the largest filesize.
[*][u]Content[/u]. This applies to both text and images. Since forum signatures cannot be automatically censored from offensive content, DO NOT include any content in your signature explicitly relating to sex, bodily functions, violence, or racism -- i.e., anything that would require more than a "PG-13" level rating. Signatures, if they are agreed to violate this content rule, will be subject to cropping and/or removal without notice.
[*][u]Links (URL) Content[/u]. We do not object to offering URL tags for your artist gallery (FAC or otherwise), or other sites that you visit. However, any links you include in your forum signature must be subject to the same above content rule -- e.g., we cannot allow links to patently adult-oriented websites in a forum signature. Furthermore, as a matter of preference, we will not tolerate links to "bashing" sites, i.e. sites whose sole purpose is to flame and criticize FAC or its users.
[*][u]Enforcement[/u]. If your signature is in violation of the following rules, we will deal with it in the following manner:
1 - Friendly [i]prior[/i] notice from a moderator or admin to prune or otherwise censor your own signature.
2 - Immediate pruning or removal of your forum signature by a moderator or admin [i]without warning[/i].
3 - Repeated violations of forum signature guidelines may also result in further, more severe prosecution such as the restriction or suspension of your forum posting privileges. We don't want to have to take it this far, but should the matter of your forum sig become a serious issue we will.[/list:u]
Again, here is a guide to help measure the maximum [i]total[/i] size for your forum signature in pixels:
[img]http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/Stratelier/sigsize.gif[/img] _________________ Strata here: [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/242293]Nanowrimo[/url] - [url=www.fanart-central.net/user-Stratadrake.php]FAC[/url] - [url=http://stratadrake.deviantart.com]dA[/url] - [url=www.furaffinity.net/user/Stratadrake/]FA[/url]
[size=9]Disclaimer: Posts may contain URLs. Click [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife]at your own risk.[/url][/size]
Last edited by Stratadrake on Sun Aug 12, 2007 1:31 pm; edited 8 times in total |
|