Searching and server load were cited as reasons. At first I missed it, but now prefer the newer layout. All it takes is a hower over the user's Profile button to see what is there.
We actually had 3 issues with the signatures.
1) "Google Search fredmiranda.com". Found at the bottom of the search page. Google was showing member's signature as result for specific gear search.
2) Layout. Some members signatures were just too big and messing with the reading flow.
3) Security issues: HTML was allowed in the signatures and hackers could exploit this.
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An alternative could be to add a separate option for signature. Something else than what we currently have. Only about 15 words in 2 lines max would be allowed. (HTML would be prohibited). IMO, I don't think it's necessary but it could be an alternative.
Let me know,
Fred
Well, I don't use HTML and only need 3 words in 2 lines so it's fine by me.
BTW, to avoid search issues you could also specify that it's not a gear list so you could also prohibit words like Canon, Nikon, Sony etc. Another possibility to avoid the search issues is to put it in a special place at the bottom of the post and define the search engine to ignore it. Here's how my signature looks at PZ.
