Setting up your forum signature

[wulf]

In another discussion, I was asked how I set up the link to Flickr in my signature. Here are a few tips on that and other signature related topics.

Firstly, here is the low down for people who are not used to discussion forums. Most, including this one, allow you to have an automatic "signature" added to the end of each post. You can use that just for your name but many people frequently add extra information. Popular choices on DPS include links to personal blogs and online photo archives and a list of the main gear you use. That is helpful - it allows other people to check out where you are coming from as they consider what you have written (for example, I can talk with some authority about the Nikon D40 but my opinion isn't worth so much if I start wittering on about Kodak point and shoot cameras!).

To set up the signature, go to your control panel and look for the "edit signature" option (either use the User CP link from the top menu and look for the option, or chose Edit Signature from the Quick Links menu).

This is just like posting a message and you have the same range of editing controls. Here is what mine looks like, with square brackets replaced by curly braces so you can see the BBCode:

{b}Wulf Forrester-Barker{/b}
{b}Sites:{/b} {url=http://www.web-den.org.uk/home/}blog{/url} / {url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/wulf/}{b}{color=#0063dc}flick{/color}{color=#ff0084}r{/color}{/b}{/url}
{b}Gear:{/b} Nikon D40, Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5 - 5.6G, Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8s, Raynox DCR-250

That might look a bit scary but, broken down, it is just the text you see below along with a few bits of code giving instructions like "turn bold text on" ({b} - in square brackets in the real thing) or "turn bold text off" ({/b}).

I am particularly pleased with the link to my Flickr account. I noted the colours used for the title on that site and added codes that replicate them. You can copy and paste that (remembering to adjust the brackets to make the codes work and the URL to point to your own Flickr page); it could also easily be adapted to point to other photo sharing sites.

Don't go overboard on your signatures as too much information will clutter your posts but do be creative and find a way to "sign" your posts that helps others interact with you.

Wulf

[ELAY]

I hadn't really thought about the importance of posting camera info until I was asked about my gear in a thread.

I have been brought around to your way of looking at things.

EL

[wulf]

Originally I didn't either but I realised that it was a helpful thing to see when other people were asking for comments on their photos - there is little point giving advice that they can't easily follow.

Of course, I don't have too much gear to list so I can put it all - for those with a whole collection of cameras, lenses and other equipment, I hope they will be a bit more selective!

Wulf

[property#1]

Thank-you Wulf for the how to do the signature. I have been looking to do this for a while now as I have been doing the copy paste thing till now. Again thanks even I was able to do it.

[midmichphotos]

Another thank you Wulf

[wulf]

It's nice to see a range of signatures on the site - tell us who you are, tell us about your gear, tell us where we can see your photos or read your blog... and, if an idea hits you, make it unique.

Wulf

[sunsetter]

Thanks Wulf thats what I needed. I am new here but very interesting and will contribute as much as I can. I just ordered extension tubes from China for my Olympus E330, cant buy them anywhere in the states. I really want to do more macro shooting. I used to some with my old Minolta SLR film.

[hpebley3]

Thanks for the flickr colors.

In case anyone's interested, here is similar code for Zooomr:

{url="http://www.zooomr.com/photos/hpebley3"}{b}{i}{color="#00396e"}Z{/color}{color="#e78d0d"}ooo{/color}{color="#d0181f"}mr{/color}{/i}{/b}{/url}

[Silverfox]

I am a new member and was looking around to find out how to add the Flickr link. Thanks for your help.
I think this information should be added to the FAQ section so that more members can improve their signature data.
Now I can participate in the "assignments" without wondering how to make the EXIF data available.
Regards, Tom B.

[El Matador]

Wulf!!! Help

Ok I tried to make my own signature with no success. I even posted what you have for yours. What am I doing wrong??