It is definitely coming along very nicely. The improvements are tremendous.
Regarding the link, not only is it acceptable, it is actually required. Check the TOS, section Signature.
http://www.pearl-guide.com/policies-...-conduct.shtml
This has not really been enforced so not everyone does it. But what a lot of people don't know is that if there is no back-link on the site linked to from this forum, a no-follow attribute will be placed on all outgoing links to that URL.
In other words, the search engine benefit will be zero. Because this is a Web site about pearls and nothing else, it is the best site on the Internet today to receive a link from if you deal in pearls (in terms of search engine optimization).