Alt.fan.warlord and big .sigs

The content linked from this page contains strong language.

Almost all programs that let you send E-mail or post messages to Usenet allow you to insert something at the end of each message automatically, the signature. Unfortunately, some people abuse this feature and tack on twelve lines of rubbish to everything they write.

In 1992, perhaps the most infamous example of signature abuse emerged. The Warlord, he called himself, and all of his messages bore a pair of swords surrounded by unnecessary padding. In recognition, alt.fan.warlord was created, and became the place for people to vent their opinions about signatures.

When alt.fan.warlord was active (it's been dormant for years) it could provide some of the funniest humour on Usenet. I recommend you to visit the alt.fan.warlord FAQ which has an archive of old posts, and explains many of the in-jokes used below.

Enough with the introductions, and on with my contributions.

• First, a scientific analysis of large signatures.
• There are sigs you don't want to meet at night. Especially not the night of the full moon.
• Another example which shows big sigs are evil.
• Truly, some signatures have a dark side.
• Of course, not all sigs are terrible. Some signatures can even be artistic.
• Why use a big signature, when you can make your signature shorter this easily?
• Some signatures even come pre-warlorded.
• Those interested in how to warlord can download this source code.
• Here's another signature with a programming theme.
• Enhance your sig in two easy steps!
• If you're going to promote vintage computers, at least do it right.
• One of the in-jokes of alt.fan.warlord is that since so many people use the asterisk character in their sigs, the world's supply of asterisks will eventually run out. Here is an illustration of asterisk shortage.
• A more scientific view on asterisk shortage, for those who are interested.
• Another example of what happens when you use too many repeated characters in a signature.
• Yes, you can help starving animals by avoiding excess punctuation.
• This signature goes where many signatures have gone before.
• If you're going to add an ASCII airplane to your sig, make sure it's a safe one.