# Avatars **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 28, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594 "2011-07-28T05:25:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/121 "2011-08-01T18:56:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Are you in the habit of daily reading every single thread in every forum? I read at least a dozen of multi-paged posts every day; that comes to HUNDREDS of posters at a minimum. A cast many times larger than most books–every day! Why are you still arguing with people who know FROM EXPERIENCE that avatars enhance their experience? It’s like someone trying to convince you that your favorite food is actually garbage. It’s exceedingly silly and a waste of time. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/122 "2011-08-01T18:58:34Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Why are you still arguing with people who know FROM EXPERIENCE that avatars enhance their experience? It’s like someone trying to convince you that your favorite food is actually garbage. It’s exceedingly silly and a waste of time. I argue because I have a different opinion on the subject. Isn’t that why most people argue? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/123 "2011-08-01T19:06:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I argue because I have a different opinion on the subject. Isn’t that why most people argue? But we’re not arguing a plot point or something that could even be considered a factual debate. It’s like me going into the Fast Food thread and questioning someone someone how they can like a Big Mac, then arguing about the merits of their subjective taste. It’s fine to have a different opinion and state such, but what do you hope to glean by actively engaging in people with a debate about their personal and completely subjective preferences? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/124 "2011-08-01T19:12:55Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > But we’re not arguing a plot point or something that could even be considered a factual debate. It’s like me going into the Fast Food thread and questioning someone someone how they can like a Big Mac, then arguing about the merits of their subjective taste. It’s fine to have a different opinion and state such, but what do you hope to glean by actively engaging in people with a debate about their personal and completely subjective preferences? Because you are advocating that your personal preferences be made board policy, which gives me the right to question the reasoning behind preferences, especially since it _seems_ as if your opinion might be in the minority, and that(personally speaking) such a change _might_ mean more work for the mods. Thus, the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/125 "2011-08-01T19:17:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Because you are advocating that your personal preferences be made board policy, which gives me the right to question the reasoning behind preferences, especially since it _seems_ as if your opinion might be in the minority, and that(personally speaking) such a change _might_ mean more work for the mods. > Thus, the discussion. People have already provided their reasoning. What you’re doing is belittling them by asking demeaning questions such as “When you read fiction or non-fiction, do you feel hampered by the fact that the people described therein have names but no pictures?” An absurd comparison, as I pointed out, which you ignored. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/126 "2011-08-01T19:20:19Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > People have already provided their reasoning. What you’re doing is belittling them by asking demeaning questions such as “When you read fiction or non-fiction, do you feel hampered by the fact that the people described therein have names but no pictures?” > > An absurd comparison, as I pointed out, which you ignored. Which is _your_ personal opinion, which I respectfully disagree with. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/127 "2011-08-01T19:21:55Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Which is _your_ personal opinion, which I respectfully disagree with. Yes, it is indeed my personal opinion that you’re being purposefully dense and demeaning. I hadn’t realized that was unclear. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/128 "2011-08-01T20:18:12Z")
If they are off by default, even to guests, and they don’t slow the Board just give them the frickkin’ avatars. ---
**Author:** ![BDBoop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@BDBoop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BDBoop)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/129 "2011-08-01T20:31:41Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Yes. People in books are “fleshed out” as you continue to read about them(if the author is half-way competent, of course), as are the the people on this message board. No. They are fleshed out as they are introduced. I wouldn’t keep reading if I didn’t know who 90% of the characters are. No author worth reading introduces everybody at once, and expects you to sort it out. Okay, except George R.R. Martin. ---
**Author:** ![BDBoop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@BDBoop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BDBoop)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/130 "2011-08-01T20:33:08Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > The point is, human memory works best with images. Does anyone dispute that? > > To keep the analogy for a moment, in novels the visual appearance of characters is described in detail, allowing you to visualize them. > A bunch of people talking about politics in a thread…it’s just not as visual. It’s hard to keep track of who said what and the ebb and flow of the discussion. > > Did someone contradict themselves? > Has anyone been swayed by an argument in the thread? > Was the OP a drive-by? > I’m normally aware of these things on other forums, but not on the dope. Exactly. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/131 "2011-08-01T20:36:18Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > As far as _paying_ for avatars vs. custom titles – I thought the point of paying for custom titles was that the mods had to go in and change them manually. > > Once again, I propose a trial period, to see how avatars work out. I honestly cannot see the big deal. People act like every change around here spells doom to this place. :rolleyes: We do occasionally have to go in and tweak individual settings but by and large the custom title system is automated. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/132 "2011-08-01T21:15:45Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Do novels usually consist of an ensemble cast of thousands? > > I’m having as much trouble processing this as you seem to with regards to how people could actually want avatars. I post to forums many, many times larger than the SDMB, and not only are duplicate avatars exceedingly rare (and a practical non-issue when they do happen), but the rate of change is slow enough that adjusting is not much more difficult than acknowledging the new haircut/color of a coworker. Yes. I post on a couple boards of comparable size to this one which allow avatars, and I find the avatars helpful. Duplicate ones don’t seem to be an issue at all, and although people do change them from time to time, it only takes a couple posts to get used to it. It’s not like it’s a daily occurrence that avatars are changed…people tend to stick with them for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/133 "2011-08-01T21:55:03Z")
A board that couldn’t handle nested quotes wants avatars? There are sub-forums that allow the cutesy, but by and large it’s ideas and words that drive the content and culture. If visual cues are needed to keep track of the ideas and content, you’re doing it wrong. That such cues are easily changed by the user (a much less cumbersome and limited change than a username) undercuts the notion that they add benefit to following arguments and positions. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/134 "2011-08-01T21:57:07Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > There are sub-forums that allow the cutesy, but by and large it’s ideas and words that drive the content and culture. If visual cues are needed to keep track of the ideas and content, you’re doing it wrong. That such cues are easily changed by the user (a much less cumbersome and limited change than a username) undercuts the notion that they add benefit to following arguments and positions. Glad you read the thread before posting. They’re not needed, they’re aids. I would propose if there’s no room for the “cutesy,” then signatures should be disabled as well. Which have been optional, as I’ll point out, and hasn’t brought the board culture to its knees. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/135 "2011-08-01T22:08:48Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Glad you read the thread before posting. WTF? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/136 "2011-08-01T22:13:53Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Because you are advocating that your personal preferences be made board policy, which gives me the right to question the reasoning behind preferences, especially since it _seems_ as if your opinion might be in the minority, and that(personally speaking) such a change _might_ mean more work for the mods. Tell me Czar…how would it affect _your_ board experience if A) The default is that avatars are off so you never, ever have to see them unless you make the proactive decision to flip that switch on your User CP. and B) Other people _can_ see avatars I’m in favor of people having the freedom to chose. Aren’t you? And speaking as a mod of a much smaller (what, 1/4th? less?) the size of the Dope forum, I think I’ve had to as 1 (one) user _ever_ in the entire time I’ve been modding to change their avatar. Even if you multiply my experience by 20, you’re still only talking 20 requests in something like 2, 3 years. It’s not that much work. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/137 "2011-08-01T22:21:08Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > WTF? 😕 Your main point that “[visual] cues are easily changed by the user” was already brought up and addressed. Add (or respond) to them if you must, but reiterating them adds nothing and is annoying to those who’ve already responded. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/138 "2011-08-01T22:35:37Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > A board that couldn’t handle nested quotes wants avatars? Nested quotes were on for everyone by default. Avatars, were they enabled, are _off_ for everyone unless they choose to turn them on. There would be zero\* effect on the experience of those who didn’t choose to turn them on. \*Ok, before some hyper-pedantic twit comes along and corrects me, there will be a flurry of “Oooh! Lookit my avatar!” threads for the first week or two. And the occasional thread would pop up going further. So not _exactly_ zero. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/139 "2011-08-01T23:23:00Z")
Speaking as a user, and leaving aside my being a moderator (which isn’t really relevant anyway - nobody at the Reader gives a hoot what the Game Room third-string mod thinks) I say no, no, no. no, no, no a thousand times no to avatars. No, no no. Please, no. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594/140 "2011-08-01T23:28:45Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > If the images were limited to 100x100 pixels and a format like jpg the average avatar size would be about 4k. That isn’t completely insignificant on bandwidth, but it shouldn’t be a massive strain. A picture really is worth about 1,000 words as it turns out in terms of bandwidth use since the average word in English is about 5 characters long. It’s 80x80 on my site, which seems to be a sweet spot. Too much bigger, and avatars start to appear out of scale with the other graphics (buttons, etc) on the page. Too much smaller, and images start to look amateurish and pixellated. Also, 80x80 allows decent 8-bit transparent GIF and PNG images that are 5K and smaller. The SDMB has a light background, so alpha transparency – and the larger 24-bit PNGs they bring – aren’t needed. The more “adult” boards that allow avatars usually have a maximum size range of 64x64 to 100x100, and don’t allow animated avatars. Message boards with gaudy avatars used to be more common in the past, but as tastes in Web design changed in the past decade, it’s now no longer as common. I wonder if any of the anti-avatar folks here have even seen a board where avatars are used tastefully. (I’ll say it for the Bearded Old Ones now, “There’s no such thing as a tasteful avatar.”) Here’s one example from bad Astronomy/Universe Today, with an 80x80 max: [http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php/117783-Kardashev-scale](http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php/117783-Kardashev-scale) Here’s a thread from Unaboard, where 100x100 is used: [http://65.69.77.33/forums/showthread.php?t=22687](http://65.69.77.33/forums/showthread.php?t=22687) Typophile. An incredibly clean look, even with avatars. 60x60 max. [http://typophile.com/node/84127](http://typophile.com/node/84127) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatars/590594.md?page=8)