Why is the <http://httpd.apache.org/docs-2.0/mod/core.html#serversignature>
directive not sufficient?

I would still like to show the server signature on error pages, mod_info pages,
etc.  I don't want it cluttering index pages, which a user sees in normal
circumstances.

Hmm. An empty readmefile should do the same then (untested).
I don't think, that this would justify a new directive or option.

Are you suggesting that I populate my file tree with hundreds of empty README
files rather than allowing me to just write

    IndexOptions +SupressServerSignature

in one place?

ehm, no. I'm suggesting to use one file, such as

ReadmeName /icons/readme

or similar.

The problem I see with that workaround is that if some directories actually have
README files that I would like used, I have to manually change the ReadmeName
directive in those locations.  I would rather not take on that extra
maintenance.  Furthermore, it's also unworkable if the user has permissions to
change the directory contents but not the ReadmeName directive.

Instead of adding a new option, another solution would be to disable display of
the server signature on index pages altogether.  Consider:

    * What relevance does server info have to the displaying of a file index?

    * If indeed it has some relevance, why would you want it to disappear just
because a README exists?

Created attachment 8237 [details]
mod_autoindex.c.diff

Here's a patch for ya... add +SuppressServerSignature to IndexOptions and the
sig will be gone.

I'm going through the bug db to make sure patches are findable.  Please see 
http://httpd.apache.org/dev/patches.html

nd: Are you still -1 on adding a "+SupressServerSignature" to mod_autoindex?

After all this time I am inclined to close this bug request as wontfix. Please re-open it if something is missing.