signum() evaluation is too slow



I do think it would be cool if signum(x^7-1) could be converted to a product of signum()'s but not if it is done 
automatically.  It can be done by functions in pw.mac and in abs_integrate.mac, so perhaps factoring is not needed for 
the argument to signum().  Any thoughts?

(%i1) (display2d:false,load(pw))$
(%i2) factor(x^7-1);
(out2) (x-1)*(x^6+x^5+x^4+x^3+x^2+x+1)
(%i3) signum(x^7-1);
(out3) signum(x^7-1)
(%i4) simpsignum(%);
(out4) signum(x-1)*signum(x^6+x^5+x^4+x^3+x^2+x+1)
(%i5)

Rich