Board-specific signatures

[suchmoon]

Another one for the dustbin.

The ChipMixer gold rush and specifically this and this got me thinking (never a good sign) about a new feature that would give users an option to wear a different signature on some boards.

A couple of possible use cases:

1) Local boards could have signatures translated into their specific languages.
2) Users could wear an alternative signature on boards where their signature campaign doesn't pay (P&S for example), provided the campaign allows that of course.

Don't ask me how this could be implemented. It won't be implemented but I'd like to hear your opinions anyway.

[Welsh]

I like the idea of having alternative signatures to those in local sections. I don't see anything like this getting implemented anytime soon, but could prove beneficial in this specific case. As for the second example I don't think that provides as much value to the forum as a whole.

I'd like to see us promoting the growth of local sections as much as possible, and this could be one of these quality of life things which contributes towards that.

[yahoo62278]

2) Users could wear an alternative signature on boards where their signature campaign doesn't pay (P&S for example), provided the campaign allows that of course.

In order for a new sig to be shown a user would have to remove the current code. At least that's how it is currently for the forum. Unless bitcointalk is coded to where there is a secondary signature space and it shows on these secondary boards, I doubt companies would accept this option.

They lose the posts with their code in them once a person changes sigs. It would be hard for a manager to keep up with users constantly changing sigs back and forth.

[suchmoon]

In order for a new sig to be shown a user would have to remove the current code. At least that's how it is currently for the forum. Unless bitcointalk is coded to where there is a secondary signature space and it shows on these secondary boards, I doubt companies would accept this option.

They lose the posts with their code in them once a person changes sigs. It would be hard for a manager to keep up with users constantly changing sigs back and forth.

That's exactly what I'm suggesting. A new feature, not manually swapping signatures. I have updated the OP to make it a bit clearer.

[LTU_btc]

Interesting idea. It would work similar like geo-targeting. I like your first point, signstures translated in other languages can make sig campaign more effective. But I'm sceptical about second point. Teo signature campaigns at the same time is too much. One of main rules in signature campaigns that you can't participate in more than one campaign at same time.
But I can't imagine how such feature can be implemented. It's not possible in SMF, maybe in new forum software, but I doubt that theymos would bother to make it, because I suppose it would require much work. One campaign is enough.

[suchmoon]

Interesting idea. It would work similar like geo-targeting. I like your first point, signstures translated in other languages can make sig campaign more effective. But I'm sceptical about second point. Teo signature campaigns at the same time is too much. One of main rules in signature campaigns that you can't participate in more than one campaign at same time.

Not necessarily two campaigns. Users could wear a personal signature. But I don't see a problem either way. If there were any campaigns that pay for posts ONLY in P&S, Off Topic, and other boards not paid by major campaigns - more power to them. Perhaps a niche for election ads LOL.

[UserU]

I reckon this might be more than just some tinkering in the code. In fact, it could only be supported on a newer forum version.

That aside, let's say if there are dual signatures (let's just use two), there could be an additional sigbox and then the tag field (think of YouTube's) so the user could manually enter the board(s) which the sig would appear in.

Nevertheless if I'm the campaign manager and have already filtered the eligible boards, I don't mind if users post in the wrong ones because free exposure is still exposure.

[Jet Cash]

I wrote a signature rotator a few years ago. If you have your own hosting, you could check the URL that is invoking your sig, and vary it accordingly. Woud that break the forum rules?

On reflection, I think that could have been using a banner,rather than a text stream.

[UserU]

I wrote a signature rotator a few years ago. If you have your own hosting, you could check the URL that is invoking your sig, and vary it accordingly. Woud that break the forum rules?

On reflection, I think that could have been using a banner,rather than a text stream.

One concern I could think of is that other than the owner of the host, there's no way to check if the rotator(s) are possible rule-breakers. For instance, my rotators would render a valid 300 x 200 banner on subforums A and B but I could sneak in an illegal 500 x 400 banner on subforum C.

That is as long as the CM (if I joined a campaign) doesn't find out or I don't post on subforum C, or nobody cares to browse through my posts..

[dragonvslinux]

Sounds like it'd be a way to encourage more shitposting, if by consequence it brings more value to signature space, given that it would generate more targeted advertising.

[DdmrDdmr]

I personally would like signatures to appear in local boards in their local language. Many campaigns do not count local board posts, and having the signature made visible in the local board’s language could counter the general stand on that for campaigns.

That could lead to a win/win situation: local boards may receive more posters and make them somewhat more lively (I do like local board activity enhancements), local only posters may understand better the signature display, and the campaigns may get a better exposure. Some campaigns do currently count local posts, and persist on doing so increasingly, so it may well payoff to do so on at least some local boards in a local language.

The larger difficulty obviously resides in bringing it down technically and logically. If the profile were to be given multiple signatures (for different boards), controlling that they are from the same campaign is rather more cumbersome (for the campaign manager). If it alternatively lead (willingly) to multiple concurrent campaign signatures for a single profile, that would need to be pondered carefully in terms of "side effects" (i.e. person participating with 3x posts in 3 campaigns with a same profile).

[Upgrade00]

Sounds like it'd be a way to encourage more shitposting

I don't think so. I've not come across a bounty that rewards posts in the P/S or off topic section, so rotating signatures on those boards would only be allowing users to promote their personal projects, it would unlikely be bringing more value to the signature space. 
But if it actually does, some members would argue that those boards are not shitposting grounds, there are quality posters in those sections and they could get rewarded fro their contribution to the forum.

[hugeblack]

The basic idea is that you can obtain several predictions based on certain conditions such as each boards, time period, clicks, and others.
I think it is a nice idea, especially as a reward for someone who gets a thousand Merit or who buys Copper member or new rank.

1) Local boards could have signatures translated into their specific languages.
2) Users could wear an alternative signature on boards where their signature campaign doesn't pay (P&S for example), provided the campaign allows that

I believe that marketing is based on remembering the company logo and Avatar, so language is not important.

[NeuroticFish]

1) Local boards could have signatures translated into their specific languages.

Basically it could be a list of <Board, Signature> pairs, maybe with a <default, Signature> too. Interesting. The code could match the board string with the current board name.
I don't know how difficult it could be to implement this, and, more important, if it worth Theymos' time, especially as the campaigns will have to create / pay for getting made (many) more signatures.

[suchmoon]

Basically it could be a list of <Board, Signature> pairs, maybe with a <default, Signature> too. Interesting. The code could match the board string with the current board name.
I don't know how difficult it could be to implement this, and, more important, if it worth Theymos' time, especially as the campaigns will have to create / pay for getting made (many) more signatures.

Maybe just one alternative signature setting would be enough for most users. For example a non-English speaking person is likely posting on their local boards and on English boards, so they could have one "default" signature (English) and one "alternate" for their local boards. Like UserU suggested here:

That aside, let's say if there are dual signatures (let's just use two), there could be an additional sigbox and then the tag field (think of YouTube's) so the user could manually enter the board(s) which the sig would appear in.

Yes, there would be some effort for campaigns to translate their signatures but that's a purely commercial decision. If they feel that a localized ad can increase their profits by $50 or whatever the signature translation/design change costs - they'd do it.

[NeuroticFish]

Maybe just one alternative signature setting would be enough for most users. For example a non-English speaking person is likely posting on their local boards and on English boards, so they could have one "default" signature (English) and one "alternate" for their local boards. Like UserU suggested here:

Depending on how the data is saved, it may not be a significant difference in implementation. But I don't argue, it's clearly up to the one implementing it (if ever).
The way I was thinking it was more generic so it can fit even to that S&P idea.

Yes, there would be some effort for campaigns to translate their signatures but that's a purely commercial decision. If they feel that a localized ad can increase their profits by $50 or whatever the signature translation/design change costs - they'd do it.

True. Still, keep in mind that even if some would have 2 languages, as you said, the campaign will need many/all languages, for all its users.
And, more important, this forum main functionality (meaning the menus) is English. The huge majority of its users understand English even if they may prefer local boards.
That's why I said that campaigns may not use it so much.

Of course, I cannot tell for sure, I'm just speculating; as I said from start: it's an interesting idea, but it's obviously up to Theymos.

[suchmoon]

True. Still, keep in mind that even if some would have 2 languages, as you said, the campaign will need many/all languages, for all its users.

They can choose to translate only the ones they feel are most important to their business.

And, more important, this forum main functionality (meaning the menus) is English. The huge majority of its users understand English even if they may prefer local boards.

That's actually an interesting topic for another day. Majority of users may understand English enough to get around the site but localizing the user interface would still be very helpful I think. I'm not sure if this is solved in the Epochtalk software.

[pugman]

The idea is quite interesting actually, there could be some sort of auto-translator that automatically translates the signatures in the local board, instead of managers providing codes for each languages. Also, for the second point, it could be possible, I mean, there are boards that don't show the signature at all, so it is quite possible to change signatures as per the board.

Also, the dual signature thing could be linked based on the user rank, thus giving more perks for ranking up. Like that would be very interesting, or maybe its time we could have a new rank after legendary that helps with the dual signature thing. Also, theymos could also do something like what SEO does, but in terms of signatures. Like for example, in threads, the highest of ranks will have their posts shown first, and then by merit, etc. Just a suggestion.

[Jet Cash]

Probably the easiest way to support local languages would be to have a standard glyph indicating translation is available. If the reader clicks on that, then the sponsor checks his browser language, and switches him to the relevant page.

[Rizzrack]

The ideea to save a few drafts for the signature and assign them to specific boards sounds very cool. Might be a added value for the companies that buy ad-space ( not all, as ChipMixer for example has their website only in english. Don't see much point in a banner in [insert language here] since their website is 100% english). For the users one benefit might be enrolling in multiple sig campaigns. You can spam for YOBIT in Altcoin Discussion and CM in Bitcoin Discussion ) having mixed feelings about this (pun intended)

And, more important, this forum main functionality (meaning the menus) is English. The huge majority of its users understand English even if they may prefer local boards.

That's actually an interesting topic for another day. Majority of users may understand English enough to get around the site but localizing the user interface would still be very helpful I think. I'm not sure if this is solved in the Epochtalk software.

I honestly don't think it got on the to do list
It might work if when creating the board you enter from the beginning all translations and depending on user preferences they would be displayed in your preferred language.
The rest is just html, so guess can be translated but would require some volunteers for that. About 90 *.html files from what I saw

Main thing is if the (potential) user does not know what "forum", "post", "thread", "account settings" , "preferences" mean it is unlikely they would join a forum in the first place or be that aware of crypto in general tbh. IMO local boards are enough...