This is a long message about a topic that you may already be tired of. I am very curious abouth the issue of quotes and long signature files, but my apologies to anyone inconvenienced by the discussion of a marginally relevant topic. Anthea Tillyer writes >I don't think there is any such thing as a "good quote" for a signature. >In fact, it seems to me that quotes and other extraneous material have no >place in a signature "banner". To my mind, a quote should either be the >text of a posting, or left at home. And several others express the same sentiment. I like long signature files when I'm reading other people's e-mail and I created a long signature file that at least some of you would find hideous. My gut reaction (and my wife had the same reaction) is "if you don't like it, don't read it; it is at the bottom of the message after all". Since I'm a relatively new Internet user (though I'm hardly a beginner in computing and e-mail systems), I'm willing to conform if I understand the reasons. Could I ask a few questions about this? 1. Is the general objection based on aesthetic principles, or are there practical reasons to dislike long signature files (e.g., many users pay for their mail on a per line basis; long signature files make it harder to create e-mail digests). 2. Do all mail systems accurately represent my return address and does the average Internet user know how to read the header files to know who sent the message? 3. Does the opinion about long signature files depend on the level and sophistication of the end user? For example, is this something that grows tiresome after reading nine million quotes that try to be cute and clever? Or is the desire for short signature files consistent with a certain programming style that emphasizes terseness (e.g., Unix and C)? Do certain lists (like this one) emphasize terseness? 4. Is there concern about the potential for sexist or racist comments? 5. Does a long signature file worsen the problem of e-mail overload? Should I strive for e-mail messages that fit in a 25 line screen? 6. Why are you objecting to something that I had taken as institutionalized in the Internet world? Does half of the Internet world irritate the other half with their quotes? Please send comments directly to me, since the topic is not relevant to this list. If anyone is interested in a summary, let me know. Close your eyes if you hate long signature files! ;-) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Steve Simon, Mail Stop C-22 * Delivering on the * * Chief, Statistics Activity * nation's promise: * * National Institute for Occupational * safety and health * * Safety and Health * at work for all * * 4676 Columbia Parkway * people...through * * Cincinnati, OH 45226 * prevention. * * * * * 513-533-8271 (office) * NIOSH vision * * 513-533-8510 (FAX) * statement * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SMTP gateway to Internet * * [log in to unmask] * * X400 gateway to Internet * * [log in to unmask] * * * * Views expressed here are my own. Mention of a product or * * company name does not constitute an endorsement by NIOSH. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *