MSE A-Z Information Thread

This post is to give you some information on changes to the way signatures will operate. Firstly, don’t panic! We love signatures and certainly aren't doing away with them. However, we want to try and standardise the type of signatures we have to ensure the forum remains an easy to read, pleasant experience for all users.

We’re doing this because the forum is used by 100,000s of people and everyone needs to be able to read it without being distracted by huge overpowering signatures after every post – and we get lots of complaints about these. Let's be clear though - we LOVE the diary type signatures that aid you in MoneySaving and the last thing we ever want to do is stop them. However we do need to strike a balance which is what we hope this will achieve; it’s the big shouty signatures that put most people off.

So what are we doing?

Simply, we are limiting some aspects of what you can do with your signature to keep them a reasonable size and style. The following succinctly outlines the key points:

1. There is now an upper limit of 5 lines per signature (i.e. every time you press return).

2. There is now a limit of 300 characters. We hope this allows plenty of room for your signatures, especially our users who like to use signatures as diaries (Debt-Free Wannabees for example).

3. Font size maximum of "3" (this is equivalent to font size 12 in Word). This ensures that the signatures don't overpower the forum.

4. These changes apply only to the registered users, currently Board Guides and the MSE Team won’t be restricted - so please don’t report us!


Your current signature won’t change unless you change it

For most of you, you will spot no immediate change. The process shouldn't cut, chop or remove any current members’ signature automatically. It will take effect for new members and will also take effect the next time you save your signature. However, the next time you do change it, you will be advised by the system as to what you need to change to make your signature fit the new guidelines.

The system, shouldn't remove your signature if you change it and it doesn’t meet the guidelines (you can simply re-edit it). Therefore we are not looking to pro-actively change current signatures and you do not need to report anyone’s signature to us because it hasn't changed. Over time the system will bring all signatures gently inline.

So what happens now?

The signatures will change on Friday 1st February, which is a week from this post. This should allow you time to sort your signature out or save it; even though it won’t change them, in case you forget in future and tweak your signature we want to give you fair advance warning.

Once again: The system shouldn't remove your signature if you change it and it doesn’t meet the guidelines (you can simply re-edit it), but it will not allow you to save until it's right.