Signature Rules

[Michael]

When we switched to the new board format a number of weeks ago, we also upgraded the forum rules/guidelines. You can view the current version here:

Rules and Guidelines

Many of you did adjust your signatures to comply with these new specifications, and that has been greatly appreciated. Part of the new rules reflects more specific settings on signature images and size. The reason we added this was due to a number of comments from members over the past year+. Though we all love eskie pictures, some signature pictures end up being quite large, and make for a lot of scrolling on the pages for one. Some members have told me they even turn the signature viewing option *off* because many of the signature pictures are so huge and take up so much page space. So, we decided to put some limits on sizes, but still continue to offer a good allowance of space to share your small pictures with the rest of us. As we know, we do love eskie pictures. But, ideally, the signature images should be a "taste" of things, and not a whole photo album. Links are allowed in signatures as well, so you can easily link to an online photo album for other members to easily go view more of your great pictures. We want to continue allowing that. We've also had comments about text on images, and though most have been decent here, we've seen what people can do on other forums and sites, so decided just to disallow text on pictures completely, so we can just prevent anything outlandish from happening in the future. So, what does this mean? That the rules will be enforced...albeit, we'll be as kind and gentle as we can. We're allowing up to the 24th of January to bring signatures into compliance with the new rules. After that, we will start to edit signatures to be within the new rules. This allows 2 weeks from this notice to adjust any images, text, etc. in signatures to be in compliance. If you have any questions or need assistance in adjusting an image to a better size, or any other adjustments you need, please either PM or email admin or mods for help. We'll do what we can in this timeframe to help. We appreciate your understanding and help in keeping the boards efficient and enjoyable to use and view. If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of us as well. Thanks.

Here is the signature portion of the rules:

Signatures and Avatars:
Avatars are not offered on this forum.
Signatures may contain text and images, separately. Images must be limited to a maximum height of 150 pixels, and a maximum combined width of 600 pixels. Images must contain your dog(s) in them. Images must be static, and not animated (moving) images. Images may not contain words "on" the image, with the exception of a time/date stamp (though those stamps are not recommended). Descriptions of the image may be above, below, or beside the image. A total of 5 lines of text plus the image height may be used in signatures. Text may include links to your site, or pages, or other online resource, as well as email link to yourself. Dog names, titles, etc. are welcome in signatures, but bear in mind that there is a 400 character limit (which includes all text and BBCode used) on all signatures as well. (we prefer signature images to be a maximum height of 125 pixels, but are allowing up to 150 at this time. If you need help adjusting your sig images to fit, let us know. You may also contact any of the moderators if you're having problems

[Michael]

Just wanted to add a gentle reminder on this topic.....thanks....

[LisaKT]

Micheal for those of us less techno savy could you post a picture of the correct size as an example? I honestly don't know how many (or how to find out) how many pixels are in my siggy pic.

[101eskies]

Yes that would be great! And although I suspect mine is too big I have tried everything I know how to make it smaller (granted, that isn't a whole lot but I tried!) and have not been successful. So if my siggy pic is too big I give you permission to go ahead and adjust it to the proper size!!! I can't do it!

[Saint Mom]

Lisa,

To give you an idea, if you use your own picture and right-click on it (properties), it will give you a size of 156 height x 159 wide. So you are not too far off from the picture size required.

Mine, as another example, is 160x109

__________________

Request is : 150 height x 600 wide max (all your dogs combined).

Ideal will be 125 height.

Does that help you?

[DebbieA]

I'm right at the limit at 590 x 150, so mine is about as big as anyone's should be.

If anyone would like help resizing pics or combining them into one collage like mine, let me know.

[LisaKT]

Thanks everyone! That helps.

[101eskies]

Yes that did help and I went back to the drawing board and think I got it this time. But I have to tell you that Photobucket was not a big help to me!!

[LisaKT]

Yes that did help and I went back to the drawing board and think I got it this time. But I have to tell you that Photobucket was not a big help to me!!

Yeah, I know photobucket isn't much help with that. I went into my photoshop program and made it the size I wanted then uploaded a new pic.

[jennyb]

FYI - for those risizing via photobucket, dimentions are width x height.

[Michael]

My sig pic is at 125 wide, by 96 tall. Helene and others have mentioned those sizes as well...so those can be used to compare.

To edit/resize images, it depends on what application a person would use and how familiar they are with it. I have to edit/adjust images all the time, so have a number of tools around to do the trick....and it's second nature to me. But I know it's not that simple for everyone. Many of you use photobucket and apparently you can resize right there. There are other tools as well...and most image editing software will allow you to resize. You'll have to check how to do so in whatever tools you do have access to. But, as noted, if anyone needs help in resizing their pics, or other changes, let us know and we'll try to help as we can.

[BamaEskies]

I've been so busy lately that I can't read all that's posted.  I just noticed this message, however.  I know my new sig picture is too big, and I have "reduced" it a few times according to Photobucket, but I never see any difference.  I just tried it again a few minutes ago.  So, Michael, will you please correct the size of my sig picture since I've had no success?   If anything is not according to the rules, please let me know.  I don't want to break any rules!!!  Thanks!!

[101eskies]

That one is bigger than ever!! That's OK with me, I absolutely love that picture!!!!

[snowflake's mom]

I *think* I got mine right?  Someone please let me know if this is too big.  Was using photobucket and trying my best to make sure it fell within the limit.

[Michael]

Just wanted to address a question I received privately. This is regarding "collages" of images. In otherwords, images that include a number of pictures in it. A few members do this, and in the rules, the limit is 150pixels high, 600 pixels wide...all combined. So, technically, it's allowed...as long as it's within those limits.

But, I'll mention here what is the preference.....even though it's not strictly mentioned in the rules at this point....it is best to use this as a guideline.

We prefer images to be 125 pixels high at most...it's just smaller and better...even though 150 is the rule limit. We find it best to have just 1 image per dog. If you have 4 or more dogs, then it's best to do a "group" picture and just include that. 101eskies has a good example of this in her sig! Some of us with even fewer dogs do likewise...just include a combo pic of our dogs....mine, Helene's, some others do this. This is a nice way to include all your dogs in a single, small image.

And that's what we need to remember...the sig pics should be a "teaser"....or "taste" of things...not a whole photo album. It's easy to include a link to a photo album or other site/page in your sig....and that's the best route to take there.

So, if you only have one dog, it's best to limit to having just one picture in your sig. That's the preference....but it's not strictly limited that way by the rules at the moment. We allow up to 600 wide, as it should still fit in the width of the screen for most people, and it doesn't take up any more screen height than a single image.....but it's still best to be "conservative" with sig pictures.

So...bottom line on collages....we don't prefer them....but if they fit within the limits, it's not out of line. Ideally stick to the one picture per dog guideline, and if you have more than 3 or 4 dogs, it's best to do a group picture, or rotate pictures of your dogs from time to time. Hope that helps a little bit on that issue.

[BamaEskies]

Thanks, Michael!!!  How's this:

[jesirose]

Edit: I didn't read that last post about collages. I will be changing it now.
Sorry!

[kittyangel]

Can someone tell me how to resize my pictures? I want to make it smaller but don't know. SHould I re-upload it with small size and then link? Thanks.

[Saint Mom]

There are many ways to do it.

I can do it with a software but you can also do it if you have for example an account with Photobucket.

They have options where you can choose the size for a particular picture.

For instance, in that website, you could choose Reduce to: small (160x120). It would be approximately the size of the signature you are required to use on this board.

www.photobucket.com

there are other accounts you could use but personally I like this one. Easy and generally pretty reliable...and free.

[kittyangel]

thank you so much! I think the website I used (flickr) doesn't have that option.

I will get a photobucket accoutn and do it myself later.

Now the picture is much better and smaller and cuter. =)

[KiannasGirl]

I'm new to the group and haven't been able to do photobucket but was able to copy my pics from Facebook to here can you tell me if mine is the correct size, Michael?
Thanks,

[Yukon]

I'm not sure about size (Michael or Helene or another moderator could tell you) but it looks like it is above the signature line.

Does it pop up automatically when you post?  Or are you pasting it into each message?

[KiannasGirl]

Pasting, it's tough because everytime I want a picture I have to go to FB to copy it and then try to get it where it needs to go I may need his help getting it to the right size and where it should be I tried several times with no luck and am dealing with up to 9 inches of snow and Rosie's eval at the show tomorrow which I am hoping we will make?? IF we can get out of the driveway and down the street. It's terrible living on a private road..

[Yukon]

Aha -- now it looks like you got it into your actual signature, so it will come up in your signature automatically (so you don't have to paste it each time). Cool!!

[Michael]

The size is fine. It's 200 pixels wide by 133 pixels tall, which falls within the limits. And you'd almost gotten it right in the signature as well. I just went in and made the change to fix the last little bit so it shows properly. Take a look at the difference.....the img tags were added around the link.....that was all that was needed to be done. So you'd done very well, and only needed one little extra step to finish it off. Hope that works for now, but let us know if you have any other problems down the line. Same with anyone else....though there are directions posted, if help is needed, we'll try to do so as needed. Thanks....