When I participate in the forums especially, I like to know a little about who I am responding to, so if I haven't already, I usually visit your profile.
Given this virtual world, I think these forums would become even more personable if they had avatars to the left of the messages--usually there's a lot of space under the name. Many online forum systems support avatars.
Now that being said, I would like to also encourage individuals to put their photo in their profile. I do like to associate a face to a name. As I would encourage with the Avatars, I encourage people to use a real photo of themselves, where there face is actually visible. Pitsaman, if you can forgive me for using you as an example, to me you are a statue. It's cool, and I can respect that if that's what you want to look like to us, but I'd rather put a face to the names.
I know there have been many "self portrait" threads, but for day to day use, when I see a message from someone, the place you go is to their profile.
Maybe I'm just to image oriented, but of course as avid photographers, aren't we all?
The only downside to personal avatar images next to names for each post is that this adds considerably to page load times for dial up users.
I agree that it's nice to see profiles with images, but more so, for me, is the pleasure of encountering a bio telling me about the person, their job, their interests etc.
Given my ugly mug, I'm happier behind the camera than in front.
Yeah, I see what ya mean! ;)
No, just kidding. Personally, I think it is a great idea, but I also have a high-speed connection, and those without would have a real tough time loading up a page with a whole bunch of avatars.
Avatars usually have a size restriction. They can be small, like this one, which is 111x160 and is only 3KB in size, yet still be quite viewable (except for my ugly mug):
One of the things I really like about DPC is the clean, minimalist look. I think that would be spoiled by avatars. Maybe they could be restricted to jpegs only, that would at least keep the animated ones out.
One of the things I really like about DPC is the clean, minimalist look. I think that would be spoiled by avatars. Maybe they could be restricted to jpegs only, that would at least keep the animated ones out.
Yes, I don't like the animated ones either. My interest was putting a face on DPC members, not cartoons...
Given this virtual world, I think these forums would become even more personable if they had avatars to the left of the messages--usually there's a lot of space under the name.
I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me, so if it was implemented without any sort of "content rules", I'd prefer to have a way to turn them off. Otherwise they would be a free-for-all like the profile pictures are (where again, I personally prefer to see an actual pic of the photographer, and not a cartoon, political statement, etc.)
Given this virtual world, I think these forums would become even more personable if they had avatars to the left of the messages--usually there's a lot of space under the name.
I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me, so if it was implemented without any sort of "content rules", I'd prefer to have a way to turn them off. Otherwise they would be a free-for-all like the profile pictures are (where again, I personally prefer to see an actual pic of the photographer, and not a cartoon, political statement, etc.)
I believe you hit the nail on the head there Eddy. Cartoon faces (no offense there hsteg) in my opinion are not needed. The avatars would be a cool addition if they HAD to be a picture of yourself AND it could be turned off. Sounds like a dandy plan to me!
i like the avatar idea...helps identify familiar folks in threads. i agree: no cartoons (not all that useful; tho, homer simpson is pretty irresistable!) and still pics only.
I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me...
I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me...
Agree 100%
I agree in principle, but policing would be a pain. How do you prove that the picture posted, though a picture of a person, is really you? How much of yourself do you have to show to pass the test - is a closeup of your eye enough, half your face with the other half covered by a camera, full body, landscape with you as a dot in the distance? If you make a rule, then it has to be enforced, or people start getting testy. (Don't get me started on the "rant" forum "rule"...) :)
Avatars: These are small photos that appear under your name. The purpose of Avatars on this board is so that people can put a face to who they are conversing with. It also helps to identify each other when we get together for gatherings. You don't have to use an Avatar if you do not wish to, but if you do, you MUST use a recent photo of yourself, a headshot showing your face. It should be a recognizable likeness of you and your face should not be obscured. It should be clear enough for people to see. In the case of a Moderator, they need to stand out more than a regular user (Thus the orange "Moderator" tag around our Avatars).
1. To simplify implementation, we could first make the rule apply to profile photos (i.e. a "real" one or none), and then have an "activate avatar" option in one's preferences. The site can then create a standard "thumbnail" of your profile photo.
2.I think users should have the option to suppress the display to conserve bandwidth.
3. It would seem to be a logical location to put the "reply-to" link which would generate a PM popup.
1. To simplify implementation, we could first make the rule apply to profile photos (i.e. a "real" one or none), and then have an "activate avatar" option in one's preferences. The site can then create a standard "thumbnail" of your profile photo.
2.I think users should have the option to suppress the display to conserve bandwidth.
3. It would seem to be a logical location to put the "reply-to" link which would generate a PM popup.
Good logic. And getting proper profile pictures in would be a real step forward.
Is it possible to mandate profile pictures, except for minors, at a minimum? It's not like people don't have a camera. ;-)
1. To simplify implementation, we could first make the rule apply to profile photos (i.e. a "real" one or none), and then have an "activate avatar" option in one's preferences. The site can then create a standard "thumbnail" of your profile photo.
2.I think users should have the option to suppress the display to conserve bandwidth.
3. It would seem to be a logical location to put the "reply-to" link which would generate a PM popup.
Great summary of the points.
If we really wanted to make it dail-up friendly, sizes under 100px would be best.
It wouldn't really be too hard to police on the point of them being cartoons or not a face, when they'd post a moderator would most likely see it soon, considering how active they are. ^_^ On whether or not it was the photograher? *shrugs* Honor system.
Is it possible to mandate profile pictures, except for minors, at a minimum? It's not like people don't have a camera. ;-)
I don't think anyone should be forced to put up a photo, if they don't want to. But, if someone chooses to put one up, there could be guidelines to follow, as has been discussed above.
