Reppy's Sig Workshop - A guide to building forum sigs

[Frisbeeteria]

It was smaller than the original sig, so...

It was still more than the 8 lines allowed, so ...

So if you're going to mess up someone's sig, at least make it look clean.

If you're going to break things (like sig rules), expect to have an occasional mess to clean up after.

[Teutonican Empire]

It was smaller than the original sig, so...

It was still more than the 8 lines allowed, so ...

So if you're going to mess up someone's sig, at least make it look clean.

If you're going to break things (like sig rules), expect to have an occasional mess to clean up after.

I'm pretty sure that wasn't 8+ lines, but whatever. Anyways, I'm not the one that edited the sig, so.

Welp, off to find a way to make my sig look good again

[Frisbeeteria]

I'm pretty sure that wasn't 8+ lines,

It was. Just that quote alone is 5 lines, and you had other boxy formatting and text adding up to quite a bit more. We count each line (hr, top and bottom) of boxes, quotes, and pre as one line each, plus we count blank lines. As I recall, you had everything boxed up and shiny like it was an RP post ... but you can't do that in sigs and maintain the 8 line limit.

[Maltropia]

Welp, off to find a way to make my sig look good again

You might consider using a [box] rather than an actual [quote]. Same effect but without the space-hogging attribution line. Alternatively, don't bother enclosing it in code and just use quotation marks, which exist for a reason.

[Frisbeeteria]

You might consider using a [box] rather than an actual

. Same effect but without the space-hogging attribution line.

They were using boxes, quotes, and HRs, all of which add to the line total. With only 8 lines, using any boxy formatting is a bad idea, especially the preponderance of news tickers using the [pre] code. They take 3 lines, no matter how short or long the content.

Frankly, if you want beautifully formatted nation content in your sig, write a pretty dispatch and put the link in your sig. We shouldn't have to read a novel after EVERY post.

[Spam Spam Spam]

2 questions:

1. Is my sig the right length?
2. Why are my spoilers not on the same line?

Thanks

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[align=left][spoiler=My Nations][nation]Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Ray Alions[/nation]
[nation]Spam Man[/nation]
[nation]CaptainSpam[/nation]
[nation]News Paperboy[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 1 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 2 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 3 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 4 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 5 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/spoiler][/align]
[align=right][spoiler=Regions][region]Lardyland[/region]
[region]Mierda[/region]
[region]The Embassy[/region]
[region]The Newsstand[/region]
[region]Adylicatpeel EMPIRE [/region][/spoiler][/align]
Generation 41, the first time you see this copy and paste it to your sig and add 1 to the generation

[Shazbotdom]

Try this.

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[floatleft][spoiler=My Nations][nation]Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Ray Alions[/nation]
[nation]Spam Man[/nation]
[nation]CaptainSpam[/nation]
[nation]News Paperboy[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 1 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 2 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 3 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 4 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 5 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/spoiler][/floatleft][align=right][spoiler=Regions][region]Lardyland[/region]
[region]Mierda[/region]
[region]The Embassy[/region]
[region]The Newsstand[/region]
[region]Adylicatpeel EMPIRE [/region][/spoiler][/align]
Generation 41, the first time you see this copy and paste it to your sig and add 1 to the generation

[Spam Spam Spam]

Try this.

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[floatleft][spoiler=My Nations][nation]Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Ray Alions[/nation]
[nation]Spam Man[/nation]
[nation]CaptainSpam[/nation]
[nation]News Paperboy[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 1 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 2 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 3 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 4 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[nation]Puppet 5 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/spoiler][/floatleft][align=right][spoiler=Regions][region]Lardyland[/region]
[region]Mierda[/region]
[region]The Embassy[/region]
[region]The Newsstand[/region]
[region]Adylicatpeel EMPIRE [/region][/spoiler][/align]
Generation 41, the first time you see this copy and paste it to your sig and add 1 to the generation

Thanks, any idea why the align codes didn't work?

[Shazbotdom]

Using two align codes while trying to put them on the same line just does not work in PHP BB. To get that type of situation to work, whichever comes first has to be under a float tag, in this case I used float left for your puppet Nation list, and the one that was on the right I continued to use the Align right tag.

[Spam Spam Spam]

Using two align codes while trying to put them on the same line just does not work in PHP BB. To get that type of situation to work, whichever comes first has to be under a float tag, in this case I used float left for your puppet Nation list, and the one that was on the right I continued to use the Align right tag.

Ok thank you

[Frisbeeteria]

You can also do sequential spoilers using the float tags.

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You can also do sequential spoilers using the float tags.
[floatleft][spoiler=Left 1][/spoiler][/floatleft][floatleft][spoiler=Left 2][/spoiler][/floatleft][floatleft][spoiler=Left 3][/spoiler][/floatleft] [floatright][spoiler=Right A][/spoiler][/floatright] [floatright][spoiler=Right B][/spoiler][/floatright] [floatright][spoiler=Right C][/spoiler][/floatright]

[Shazbotdom]

You can also do sequential spoilers using the float tags.

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You can also do sequential spoilers using the float tags.
[floatleft][spoiler=Left 1][/spoiler][/floatleft][floatleft][spoiler=Left 2][/spoiler][/floatleft][floatleft][spoiler=Left 3][/spoiler][/floatleft] [floatright][spoiler=Right A][/spoiler][/floatright] [floatright][spoiler=Right B][/spoiler][/floatright] [floatright][spoiler=Right C][/spoiler][/floatright]

Show off.

[Frisbeeteria]

While we're on the show-off channel, one common mistake is overuse of the Align tag.
Did you know that a single pair of align=center tags will align everything in the sig, including spoilered content?
If is's short, it centers it under the spoiler. If it's long, it centers it in the window.

Centered text in Left 1

Centered text in Left 2

Centered text in Left 3
(with some added pointless content for the express purpose of stretching this sentence out so that it will eventually wrap to the next line, assuming your screen isn't massively huge or something)

Centered text in Right A

Centered text in Right B

Centered text in Right C
(with some added pointless content for the express purpose of stretching this sentence out so that it will eventually wrap to the next line, assuming your screen isn't massively huge or something)

Overuse of align tags just makes for sloppy formatting, and improper use adds pointless blank lines. Try to minimize align tags and other formatting.

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[align=center]While we're on the show-off channel, one common mistake is overuse of the Align tag. 
Did you know that a single pair of align=center tags will align everything in the sig?
If is's short, it centers it under the spoiler.  If it's long, it centers it in the window.
[floatleft][spoiler=Left 1]Centered text in Left 1[/spoiler][/floatleft][floatleft][spoiler=Left 2]Centered text in Left 2[/spoiler][/floatleft][floatleft][spoiler=Left 3]Centered text in Left 3
[i](with some added pointless content for the express purpose of stretching this sentence out so that it will eventually wrap to the next line, assuming your screen isn't massively huge or something)[/i][/spoiler][/floatleft] [floatright][spoiler=Right A]Centered text in Right A[/spoiler][/floatright] [floatright][spoiler=Right B]Centered text in Right B[/spoiler][/floatright] [floatright][spoiler=Right C]Centered text in Right C
[i](with some added pointless content for the express purpose of stretching this sentence out so that it will eventually wrap to the next line, assuming your screen isn't massively huge or something)[/i][/spoiler][/floatright][/align]

[Spam Spam Spam]

I was trying to put colours on my nation links links but they weren't showing up for some reason.

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[floatleft][spoiler=My Nations][nation]Spam Spam Spam[/nation]
[color=#FE6F5E][nation]Ray Alions[/nation][/color]
[color=#01004f][nation]Spam Man[/nation][/color]
[color=#aea1e0][nation]CaptainSpam[/nation][/color]
[color[/color]=#FE6F5E][nation]News Paperboy[/nation][/color]
[color=#01004f][nation]Puppet 1 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/color]
[color=#aea1e0][nation]Puppet 2 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/color]
[color=#FE6F5E][nation]Puppet 3 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/color]
[color=#01004f][nation]Puppet 4 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/color]
[color=#aea1e0][nation]Puppet 5 of Spam Spam Spam[/nation][/color][/spoiler][/floatleft][align=right][spoiler=Regions In][region]Lardyland[/region]
[region]Mierda[/region]
[region]The Embassy[/region]
[region]The Newsstand[/region]
[region]Adylicatpeel EMPIRE [/region][/spoiler][/align]
Generation 41, the first time you see this copy and paste it to your sig and add 1 to the generation

[Frisbeeteria]

I was trying to put colours on my nation links links but they weren't showing up for some reason.

First off, don't. Multiple colors are just garish distractions. You end up looking like someone's bad MySpace or GeoCities page.

Secondly, the nation tag doesn't appear to support colors. You can color links by putting the color tags inside the actual link text, but it's still garish and should be avoided.

Your color content here

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[url=https://www.yourlinkhere.com][color=#0080FF]Your color content here[/color][/url]

[Spam Spam Spam]

I was trying to put colours on my nation links links but they weren't showing up for some reason.

First off, don't. Multiple colors are just garish distractions. You end up looking like someone's bad MySpace or GeoCities page.

Secondly, the nation tag doesn't appear to support colors. You can color links by putting the color tags inside the actual link text, but it's still garish and should be avoided.

Your color content here

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[url=https://www.yourlinkhere.com][color=#0080FF]Your color content here[/color][/url]

Okay, I'll take your advice and not color the links.

[Arkhall]

I've been trying to get all three spoilers to be on the same line, to no avail. Does anyone mind helping?

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[align=left][spoiler=Cool Quotes][quote="Ransium";p="33578269"]If being dirty minded was against site rules I'd be DOS.[/quote]
[quote="NERVUN";p="33606970"]Are you the one making strange noises in my desk drawer?![/quote]
[quote="Alvecia";p="33658875"]
They changed it back on 30th Feb[/quote]
[quote="[url=http://www.nationstates.net/page=rmb/postid=29815635]Last Plains[/url]"]I've been given limitless power and I'm in a bad mood.[/quote][/spoiler][/align]
[align=center][spoiler=Cool Quotes 2][/spoiler][/align]
[align=right][spoiler=Cool Quotes 3][/spoiler][/align]
[pre]There is little left to be done in the name of virtue, little left to be done in the name of honour, and little left to be done in the name of those who still suffer. Thus, we must revert to vice in order to preserve what remains, to bound towards the future with open arms, and continue on and thrive.[/pre]

[Ainin]

If being dirty minded was against site rules I'd be DOS.

Are you the one making strange noises in my desk drawer?!

They changed it back on 30th Feb

I've been given limitless power and I'm in a bad mood.

There is little left to be done in the name of virtue, little left to be done in the name of honour, and little left to be done in the name of those who still suffer. Thus, we must revert to vice in order to preserve what remains, to bound towards the future with open arms, and continue on and thrive.

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[floatleft][spoiler=Cool Quotes][quote="Ransium";p="33578269"]If being dirty minded was against site rules I'd be DOS.[/quote]
[quote="NERVUN";p="33606970"]Are you the one making strange noises in my desk drawer?![/quote]
[quote="Alvecia";p="33658875"]
They changed it back on 30th Feb[/quote]
[quote="[url=http://www.nationstates.net/page=rmb/postid=29815635]Last Plains[/url]"]I've been given limitless power and I'm in a bad mood.[/quote][/spoiler][/floatleft][floatright][spoiler=Cool Quotes 3][/spoiler][/floatright][align=center][spoiler=Cool Quotes 2][/spoiler][/align]
[pre]There is little left to be done in the name of virtue, little left to be done in the name of honour, and little left to be done in the name of those who still suffer. Thus, we must revert to vice in order to preserve what remains, to bound towards the future with open arms, and continue on and thrive.[/pre]

Use the float tags.

[Scottish Socialists]

Is mine ok?

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[align=center][color=#FFBF00]☭ Scottish[/color] [color=#BF0000]Socialists ☭[/color]
[hr][/hr]Proud member of [region]Wintercrest[/region].
[url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1004979]Check out my factbook![/url]
[spoiler=OOC]13 and [color=#0080FF]Scottish[/color].
I actually support [color=#0000FF]Democracy[/color], not [color=#FF0000]Communism[/color].[/spoiler][/align]

Output:-

☭ Scottish Socialists ☭

---

Proud member of Wintercrest.
Check out my factbook!

13 and Scottish.
I actually support Democracy, not Communism.

Also, how do you get a news thing in your sig?

[Arkhall]

If being dirty minded was against site rules I'd be DOS.

Are you the one making strange noises in my desk drawer?!

They changed it back on 30th Feb

I've been given limitless power and I'm in a bad mood.

There is little left to be done in the name of virtue, little left to be done in the name of honour, and little left to be done in the name of those who still suffer. Thus, we must revert to vice in order to preserve what remains, to bound towards the future with open arms, and continue on and thrive.

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[floatleft][spoiler=Cool Quotes][quote="Ransium";p="33578269"]If being dirty minded was against site rules I'd be DOS.[/quote]
[quote="NERVUN";p="33606970"]Are you the one making strange noises in my desk drawer?![/quote]
[quote="Alvecia";p="33658875"]
They changed it back on 30th Feb[/quote]
[quote="[url=http://www.nationstates.net/page=rmb/postid=29815635]Last Plains[/url]"]I've been given limitless power and I'm in a bad mood.[/quote][/spoiler][/floatleft][floatright][spoiler=Cool Quotes 3][/spoiler][/floatright][align=center][spoiler=Cool Quotes 2][/spoiler][/align]
[pre]There is little left to be done in the name of virtue, little left to be done in the name of honour, and little left to be done in the name of those who still suffer. Thus, we must revert to vice in order to preserve what remains, to bound towards the future with open arms, and continue on and thrive.[/pre]

Use the float tags.

Thanks! Fixed up my sig, I hope it wasn't irritatingly long for too long

[Arkhall]

Is mine ok?

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[align=center][color=#FFBF00]☭ Scottish[/color] [color=#BF0000]Socialists ☭[/color]
[hr][/hr]Proud member of [region]Wintercrest[/region].
[url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1004979]Check out my factbook![/url]
[spoiler=OOC]13 and [color=#0080FF]Scottish[/color].
I actually support [color=#0000FF]Democracy[/color], not [color=#FF0000]Communism[/color].[/spoiler][/align]

Output:-

☭ Scottish Socialists ☭

---

Proud member of Wintercrest.
Check out my factbook!

13 and Scottish.
I actually support Democracy, not Communism.

Also, how do you get a news thing in your sig?

"News thing" is the scrollbar thing, I'm assuming. It's just

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[pre]put your text here and you can slide from side to side, ooh cha cha real nice. Slideeee to the left. Slideeeee to the right[/pre]

Becomes

put your text here and you can slide from side to side, ooh cha cha real nice. Slideeee to the left. Slideeeee to the right

[Scottish Socialists]

Is mine ok?

Code: Select all

[align=center][color=#FFBF00]☭ Scottish[/color] [color=#BF0000]Socialists ☭[/color]
[hr][/hr]Proud member of [region]Wintercrest[/region].
[url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1004979]Check out my factbook![/url]
[spoiler=OOC]13 and [color=#0080FF]Scottish[/color].
I actually support [color=#0000FF]Democracy[/color], not [color=#FF0000]Communism[/color].[/spoiler][/align]

Output:-

☭ Scottish Socialists ☭

---

Proud member of Wintercrest.
Check out my factbook!

13 and Scottish.
I actually support Democracy, not Communism.

Also, how do you get a news thing in your sig?

"News thing" is the scrollbar thing, I'm assuming. It's just

Code: Select all

[pre]put your text here and you can slide from side to side, ooh cha cha real nice. Slideeee to the left. Slideeeee to the right[/pre]

Becomes

put your text here and you can slide from side to side, ooh cha cha real nice. Slideeee to the left. Slideeeee to the right

Thanks!

[Estado Novo Portugues]

Mine is 7 lines, if I counted right?

• Box: 2
• Nation name: 1
• Motto: 1
• Separator: 1
• Description: 1 (Still 1 line if it overflows?)
• OOC stuff: 1

I'm using this style for all my current and future nations, so I want to make sure it's legal. Thanks!

[Frisbeeteria]

Mine is 7 lines, if I counted right?

Correct.

Description: 1 (Still 1 line if it overflows?)

Not if it overflows on a normal widescreen computer. Then it counts for as many lines as it fills. If it wraps on a phone or small tablet, that's fine.

[Estado Novo Portugues]

Mine is 7 lines, if I counted right?

Correct.

Description: 1 (Still 1 line if it overflows?)

Not if it overflows on a normal widescreen computer. Then it counts for as many lines as it fills. If it wraps on a phone or small tablet, that's fine.

Thanks!