The Signature Block and all that ...

[Mudgeeclarke]

It seems that logic has not prevailed regarding the sensible use of a signature block so that users can quickly see haplogroups, and save the time wasted when manually checking for this.

I've noticed that most "User Names" (the one that FAQ says you have for life) have "FTDNA Customer" as the second line. But a lucky few have figured out how to delete "FTDNA Customer" and insert their abbreviated HGs as a signature block of sorts. For example, mine would show as "MudgeeClarke"and then below it "R-L2 (Z49), U3b2a."

I think that the second line should be customizable in the Profile Edit feature. If necessary, limit it to say, 25 characters or less (my example above is 18). Of course, maybe it is already customizable without hacking, and I can't see where it is done ...

Does anyone else feel that a brief pointer to Haplogroups would be helpful, or am I the only one who misses the signature block which was deleted before the Renaissance?

[Jim Barrett]

Give them an inch &!

Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Proven over and over right here.

[JohnG]

I guess I never saw a need for all that data in every post on the forum. It might explain your interest in certain topics, but posting on those topics indicates interest. It would make for a more interesting forum if we put something that gives us personality. Maybe a string of badges - ethnic groups, regions of interest, occupations, kids or grandkids, ... years in genealogy, years in DNA genealogy

[Mudgeeclarke]

Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Proven over and over right here.

Well, Jim, I'd say 25 characters isn't exactly a mile. Barely an inch. I wasn't suggesting all the SNPS and the GENO 2 results. But I guess you're right. Let's hide everything. Change the name from Family Tree DNA to just DNA. Make it a place for scientists only, perhaps. That should get more paying customers lining up at the door …

[Mudgeeclarke]

I guess I never saw a need for all that data in every post on the forum. It might explain your interest in certain topics, but posting on those topics indicates interest. It would make for a more interesting forum if we put something that gives us personality. Maybe a string of badges - ethnic groups, regions of interest, occupations, kids or grandkids, ... years in genealogy, years in DNA genealogy

I don't wish to see anything other that Haplogroup types - a total of say 25 characters … but I think that there could be a place where your "Interests" could be displayed. Maybe, similar to the Kvetching Section, there could be a place for badges and such, but I would not be in favor of it in general use. That would become (as Jim Barrett wrote) a case of "give an inch, take a mile".

[Mudgeeclarke]

The Mother of all Moderators does it again ... In a nice way.

I'm just posting this sentence to show off my new "signature block", appended to my User Name, courtesy of my new best friend ... Rebekah.

[royfarnol]

I always liked the signature information. It was a quick and handy way to see what is what about whom.

I do not understand objections to it. One doesn't have to read it.

For newcomers I think it would be a very helpful introduction.

Perhaps a compromise? Perhaps a click-open signature details panel?

[Rebekah Canada]

Hi,

Do you mean like the About Me tab on your user page? http://forums.familytreedna.com/member.php?u=87723

...
Perhaps a compromise? Perhaps a click-open signature details panel?

[JohnG]

Hi,

Do you mean like the About Me tab on your user page? http://forums.familytreedna.com/member.php?u=87723

Just a click away from each posting. (I was being cute about the badges, btw. But I used to go to a conference where you could put interest stickers on your badge and it was kind of fun. I had kind of fancied a Pilgrim's Hat for old New England.)

[Jim Barrett]

Well, Jim, I'd say 25 characters isn't exactly a mile. Barely an inch. I wasn't suggesting all the SNPS and the GENO 2 results. But I guess you're right. Let's hide everything. Change the name from Family Tree DNA to just DNA. Make it a place for scientists only, perhaps. That should get more paying customers lining up at the door …

No, but I guess you didn't see the ones that were 25 lines long posted over and over every day.

I won't mind seeing signature line from time to time. Maybe just once each day.

[Mudgeeclarke]

I agree with you

No, but I guess you didn't see the ones that were 25 lines long posted over and over every day.

I won't mind seeing signature line from time to time. Maybe just once each day.

Oh, I saw them, Jim, and thought they were total overkill and unnecessary, given that it could be shown in the profile page, etc. I was very much in agreement with you about that. I was just hoping for some 'shorthand' pointer to who was what.

Thankfully, it turned out to be quite easy, with Rebekah's help, and I think you would agree that the >30 characters which now show under my User Name are unobtrusive, and an immediate hint as to my genealogy interests at least in the direct lines. It will be there every time, though, not once per day. I hope you agree it is a good solution and a win-win. Cheers.

[MitchellSince1893]

Can this the ">30 characters which now show under my User Name" change be done by the user or does Rebekah have to do it?

If the former can you provide steps?

[Mudgeeclarke]

Can this the ">30 characters which now show under my User Name" change be done by the user or does Rebekah have to do it?

If the former can you provide steps?

Honestly, I don't know if a User can do this in Profile or not. I couldn't see where to do it (change it from 'FTDNA Customer'). Rebekah did it for me very quickly, so I don't think it involved more that a delete/insert. Don't know if a User can do it, nor if it will become an option or not down the road. I like it a lot !

Duh ! I see it has been done for you. And you have the same terminal SNPs as me ... That's why it is a nice feature .... cousin
....

[MitchellSince1893]

Wow that was quick! Yesterday I noticed that it was showing up in my profile, but it wasn't showing up when I posted.

FYI: I didn't do or request anything, it just appeared.

[Mudgeeclarke]

....

FYI: I didn't do or request anything, it just appeared.

Rumor has it that Rebekah can also turn you into a newt at the flash of an eyelid ... Be careful what you wish for .... ;-)

BTW, are you at Y Search? We have the same SNPs downstream of L2 ... I am UJJRA ....