So, I'd like to see a feature someday that could do something like disallow graphics files in an included signature. I'm not sure how the include feature could distinguish a signature from some more "normal" include -- ideas??

-- RandyKramer - 21 Apr 2003

That's an interesting signature you are experimenting with, but I find the 'NOT ONLINE NOW' a bit distracting and more information than I really need. How about putting that in part of your home page that is not visible in every sig?

-- RichardDonkin - 04 May 2003 (moved from CpanPerlModulesRequirement)

I got the idea from DiscussionForums - so the credit doesn't really belong to me.

Richard - I found that Yahoo provide a less obstructive image by altering the t= parameter - I agree this is easier on the eye! I've also raised an SuggestNewInterSiteLink.

Randy - I'm sure there is no technical way to stop this %INCLUDE{Main.MartinCleaver}% from being used, not without disabling %INCLUDE. Perhaps we need a specialised %SIGNATURE{} directive, this chould possibly be part of DiscussionForums .Otherwise your options are restricted to social pressure.

• What do other people feel about my sig? (Clearly I like it!)

-- MartinCleaver - 05 May 2003

Well, I am not sure I like this idea, as it is a bit disruptive in a text-oriented medium as wiki. It works well with forums where the "avatar" icon is typically in the left margin, out of the scope of the text. But images in the body of the messages in these forums are disruptive, too.

Besides, INCLUDE is quite slow in TWiki. I cannot imagine how a wiki system would cope with long threads of discussions. Plus it will be even less WYSIWYG when editing...

So, I vote against using this feature, but I feel it is a social issues that should not be enforced in code...

-- ColasNahaboo - 05 May 2003

I also find the picture within a signature somewhat jarring, for the same reasons as Colas. I agree it should be handled by social pressure since TWiki makes it hard to enforce technically. Similar comments apply to the 'online now' stuff.

One of the nice things about TWiki (culture and code) is that it doesn't encourage complex signatures as found on web forums and NewsGroups, but you can easily reach someone's home page from any signature to find out more about them.

-- RichardDonkin - 05 May 2003

Okay, thanks for the feedback. Picture gone and I've moved to the most minimal form of the Yahoo messenger indication.

Implementing this reminded me that the include mechanism might benefit from being able to provide for multiple includes on the same page.

Something like %INCLUDE{SIGNATURE,Main.MartinCleaver}% and STARTINCLUDE{SIGNATURE}, STOPINCLUDE{SIGNATURE}

Incidently, I note that the external URL include mechanism still doesn't work here at TWikiDotOrg. Have we given up trying to fix it?

-- MartinCleaver - 06 May 2003

Thanks everybody for the additional comments (which articulated the explanations I should have provided)! And thanks, Martin, for changing your signature here on TWiki!

-- RandyKramer - 06 May 2003