I like that people list their gear, because if I'm considering a lens, and I happen to notice a person whose opinions I respect has that gear, I can quietly PM them, without having to start a whole thread about it.
Information in signatures can be done properly and concisely or it can be overdone. Members on one of the motorcycle forums I frequent go WAAAAY overboard, and frequently their signatures (right down to the type of oil they use and the pressure they run in their tires) is longer than their posts. When it gets to the point that you have to scroll through 10 pages of posts just to get 1 page of information something is wrong.
But, to keep things on topic, I do agree with your observations on grips. I have one on both of the bodies I use and would not consider being without one again. The balance is better, holding the camera is easier and more solid, and, like you, I also noticed that I can hold steady about a half to full stop slower.
When I got my first one it was hard to justify the cost, but once I got one I was hooked. When I ordered my D7000 I ordered a grip at the same time.