If your forum signature is on a post on the subject that's about your type of website is where it helps the most as it will be related to your website. But if your link is on there and doesn't apply to your website then it will give little weight as far as links go.
Yes i would say sig links and posting your links on forums help a lot. Back when i had my first website and didnt even know about page rank i only posted it on forums to spread the word. I ended up selling the site a year later and i found out it had a PR 3. I know a PR 3 isnt much but just for posting on forums i think thats pretty good.
I dont think so ... according to me we place links in our signature here on DP so as to get some quality clicks thats all !!