Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!rutgers!husc6!seismo!decuac!avolio
From: avolio@decuac.UUCP
Newsgroups: news.software.b
Subject: Re: .signature line limit
Message-ID: <1212@decuac.DEC.COM>
Date: Mon, 23-Mar-87 09:07:54 EST
Article-I.D.: decuac.1212
Posted: Mon Mar 23 09:07:54 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 25-Mar-87 01:47:03 EST
References: <1893@uwmcsd1.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: DEC SWS, Landover, MD
Lines: 22
Keywords: Grumble grumble grumble

In article <1893@uwmcsd1.UUCP>, jgd@uwmcsd1.UUCP (John G Dobnick) writes:
> The four line limit on .signature files just bit me, so I'm biting back.  Upon
> reflection, I have concluded that this limit is incorrectly implemented, or at
> least the *problem* has been incorrectly defined.
> 

You got bitten because you want to use the signature line to make a
statement.  That is not its purpose....  (Although your signature with
quote is much nicer than people who chart out with lines, brackets,
etc. every possible path to their machine.  Ah, if only Adam hadn't
sinned...) 

Be that as it may, perhaps setting a character limit is reasonable.
Since the current limit is 4 lines (and, by the way, since sources are
distributed, it would be an easy change for your netnews administrator
to make locally) perhaps 4*80 characters should be allowed?

I have another suggestion (though it may be arguably bad to do).  It
might be nice to have an option to {read,v}news that says "do not show
signatures".  

Fred.