Forum:Signature with dynamic timestamp

Actually I'm editing on wikis of two diffrent languages: mostly the korean wikis, and here the community central in english. And I'm feeling the need to make my signature change the timestamp according to the different server clocks. But I can't even figure out how to start coding, because certain parser functions like,   are not available in the Signature input section of Special:Preferences etc. Can I ask for your assistance? Thanks.


 * Dynamic signatures are typically not preferred. It relies on everyone to sign with a certain timezone (which isn't feasible) for them to be of any use. For instance, most everyone here signs the normal (UTC) but others sign with their local timestamp (like Fandy signing with PTC). It is nearly impossible to try and read a page and calculate the time zone differences on the fly in order to know the relative time between posts. You can, however, use a bit of code like I have here in my JS that normalizes all (UTC) timestamps into your timestamp of choice. It will then show relative time as well as the signed time in your time zone. For instance, (from another forum) I see signatures like... Gardimuer { ʈalk } 10:36 pm, Yesterday (EST)


 * Rappy 21:37, June 16, 2012 (UTC)


 * (At first sight I thought it was double signed..! :D) I understand that, but haven't you ever found all this different timestamps too untidy before using the script? I was just afraid that some people (especially people who don't know your script) think I'm annoying them.


 * http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/rappy/images/thumb/c/c6/Timestamp_example.png/300px-Timestamp_example.png Full size Honestly, no. I never did find them untidy. With them all being in the same time zone, it made them very easy to determine the relativeness between the posts easily. I only added the script to prove a point to Fandyllic (which he never got) and got used to it. It's only used here on Central though, I never added it to my global. Rappy 22:13, June 16, 2012 (UTC)


 * The only main issue the script has is with people that do not use the default date/time format (like you). It will not convert those formats over to relative time. However, the code could be altered to take that into consideration for someone that just can't deal with that. IMO, the time formats shouldn't be changed via the individual, but rather through preferences instead. You will see your timestamp the way you prefer (and everyone else's too). In one hand, you force your format on others for the sake of seeing it. On the other, you still see your preferred style without forcing anyone else to see it too. It all boils down to how you look at it. :p Rappy 22:25, June 16, 2012 (UTC)


 * @Rappy Thanks for answering my question. In fact, I have altered the default format because, you should know, we do have different timestamp format depending on culture. Let me take an example of my country. We express by year-month-day-hour-minute-second order, which is the opposite of yours. Also, the name of months are not the same and so on. That's why I had to find an internationalized way for myself. Anyway, I am pretty persuaded by your comment. I will think once more about this and perhaps consider reusing my last signature form.

If anybody wants to point me out anything else, please just tell me :)


 * It's the same as creating a table on a wiki with a white background. If you force a white background on the table, it blends in to the wiki. However, if using the same on a wiki with a black background, the white background may not look as intended. Not forcing the background may be a better option... then the background adapts to the wiki. (This is a bad example, but the best I could come up with). I understand completely why you'd want the change in format... but that change doesn't have to be forced on everyone else. The preference can change it and only you'd see the change. It's just food for thought. :) (PS - don't take this the wrong way. I'm just pointing out the differences.) Rappy 22:54, June 16, 2012 (UTC)