There is a difference, but I found the shock and worry a little bizarre.
But I’m not an administrator at an anonymous flame forum nor am I whining about anything at all.
This is entirely incorrect. The only data sent between the user script, the SDMB, and the avatar server is the SDMB user ID which you can see by mousing over anyone’s user name, and the URL to their avatar if one exists. There is absolutely no risk of having a “server hacked” and revealing any data other than a user ID and the URL to their avatar.
What you are basically saying is that you don’t understand the technical or security details so therefore it must be a risk. I would never ask you to use avatars if you don’t want to and likewise you should probably accept that there are many who do understand the technical reasons that there isn’t any such risk.
As far as I’m concerned this is just another example of trying to create controversy where there is none you can’t possibly have a security concern if you aren’t using the script. You might want to lobby for users to worry about their SDMB account being hacked, with credit card info, etc. as that is a possibility but the avatar script does not have any information about a SDMB user beyond their user ID.
As far as ‘having your snout plastered everywhere on this board’ that is also not the case. What individuals choose to view on their own screens is up to them so if you have uploaded an image somewhere and shared it, certainly anyone could print it and carry it in their wallet, display it by your posts on a message board, assign it to another user and have it show up as their avatar, or keep it in a scrapbook of internet pictures. The avatar script only makes an image visible to the user not the entire board.
I’m neither pro nor anti, but I’m seeing a lot of ignorance/obtuseness* from the anti crowd.
*and I hope it is purposeful, because if it is not there are a lot of naive people here
Sorry, I’m not seeing how these two have to be tied together. I can totally understand the PTB not wanting to stickie how to enable a script they neither embrace nor endorse. Their entitled to feel the way they do, and their response is not unreasonable.
That is entirely separate from the point I was making, and should, in no wa,y stop them from informing people that their profile picture is now being seen as an avatar for those who use the script.
Knowing how contentious this issue has been, should be evidence enough, that it would be wise to inform people of this.
Sorry, I’m not seeing that the two ‘must go together’.
See my post above this. I really can’t believe that anyone is naive enough to believe that a picture posted on the internet is only going to be used in one place and one place only. This isn’t 1992. The obvious shouldn’t need to be stated.
“What script? Where? How can I get it? How does it work? I didn’t know we could do that! How come I don’t see any place in my CP to upload one? Why can’t I see avatars?”
(repeat in a new thread every week or two ad nauseum)
Not must, but should. Surely you can see how a PSA informing that others can see your avatar would generate a lot of “how do I see/have/display avatars” threads?
Or the admins might just get sick of the whole thing and say no more threads about avatars, which is what I suspect is coming if the avatarphiles keep hammering this topic like a kid who keeps saying “why?” after the parents’ terminal “because I SAID SO.”
-VT, Registered Avataragnostic
I guess they’d have to put up a sticky for that, right?
Since it has already been said that they won’t enable avatars via vBulletin (and this has been said dozens of times), and that they won’t put a note in the FAQs about the script, I suggest simply bumping the thread occasionally when it is “relevant” (and to use discretion so as not to provoke them). Arguing about it isn’t going to get anything done.
Post #33. It was like this in the previous thread about avatars-polite request turns into cajoling, mockery, snide remarks and demands.
A simple search, brings up all the threads about avatars, so this is just a construct, not a reality.
I can’t help it if everyone is really that naive, then. However, surely you see the reason for the various sarcastic posts above about other obvious things. Even so, if you really feel the need to protect the innocent with a line informing people of the obvious “dangers”, then you can also see why it is not going to be the end of the world if another line tells how/where to get the script.
Naturally. Avatar capacity, through scripts or otherwise, is an essentially unmitigated asset to the board. It’s truly ridiculous for TPTB to resist it. It’s like trying to prevent people from logging in from California, or on Tuesdays, or with wide-screen monitors.
If even discussion of avatars were to be banned–and a sticky note placed to that effect!–I guarantee that newbies would still routinely bring up the subject forever. And upon having the bizarre facts explained to them, a certain proportion will back right away from the crazy people.
But you’ve got your avatar script already-you’ve won.
But this doesn’t just seem to be about winning. I sense that there is a perverse need for the “other side” to lose, by either giving in and officially activating avatars anyway, or by officially acknowledging and supporting this outside script. Nobody is talking about talking about banning talking about avatars in general, or even talking about the script in particular, btw, so I don’t know why you even brought it up.
This is a gross misinterpretation of what I was saying and completely ignores my point.
I am not trying to protect any ‘innocents’ from themselves or ‘dangers’. Only inform people, who may have posted a profile picture ages ago, and forgotten about it, that it will be seen as an ‘avatar’ for those using the script. Inform.
Why? Because, whichever side you’ve been on, through these debates you know, this detail never came out, and the debate was contentious. Knowing that, informing your users is the smart thing to do. They can do as they choose, but at least they are aware. Where is the downside to informing people of this detail? I’m not seeing it.
And sorry, but no, I don’t see that telling people where to get the script, should be piggybacking on that message. What you want, is not related to my point, please stop trying to make it so. Just to get what you want.
I post this without snark: Given that your personal experience would not change at all with avatars enabled by the board or posters using the script, the above seems to sum up your position exactly.
Actually I did, in the post of mine you quoted a couple of posts ago, but merely as speculation. The mods and admins solicit my guidance on board policy infrequently at best.
Not exactly at all. I have no objection whatsoever to the avatar script.
I didn’t think a “smiley” would be necessary for that little jibe-guess I was wrong.