# I turned on avatars today. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 8, 2018, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255 "2018-08-08T00:29:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/181 "2018-08-09T00:36:53Z")
Good stuff. Glad you’re willing to break some of the crazy walls that have been built over the years, TubaDiva. Guess what my avatar is! It’s the first gear found to be found in an animal, not including people who swallowed a watch. > **[This Tiny Bug Has a Gear in its Leg](https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a9449/the-first-gear-discovered-in-nature-15916433/)** > > U.K. scientists find the first biological gears on a jumping insect half the size of a fire ant. It just happened to be near the top of my download files. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/182 "2018-08-09T00:37:17Z")
Who else is eagerly awaiting/fearing **Dung Beetle’s** avatar? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/183 "2018-08-09T00:46:22Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I see a blue on white pic that says Blue Sun > Under user Options; [Edit Avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/profile.php?do=editavatar) ensure “Do not use an Avatar” is not on. > Under Edit Options: [Edit Options](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/profile.php?do=editoptions) ensure “Show Avatars” is on. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/184 "2018-08-09T00:48:08Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Thanks! Do you like everyone’s avatars? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/185 "2018-08-09T01:11:37Z")
> [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > Very Cool… > > Thanks Tuba! Nice avatar, TSFR! ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/186 "2018-08-09T02:22:19Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > I see the astronaut, but I don’t see fiendishnicity. Maybe give him a Snidely Whiplash mustache . Nah. Red devil horns would show up more clearly and still appropriately indicate fiendishness-ness. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/187 "2018-08-09T02:24:41Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Mine is just a place holder for now, it will change. OK, I think this will be my avatar. I might try to sharpen it a bit though. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/188 "2018-08-09T02:29:50Z")
Greetings Earthlings! ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/189 "2018-08-09T02:51:12Z")
Very pleased to see this! Makes it much easier after a while to skim through and know who posted… At least until someone proposes a Halloween “use someone else’s avatar” celebration. ---
**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 9, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/190 "2018-08-09T02:52:05Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I’d recommend that if the mods are reluctant to hand out instabans based on provocative imagery, then insta-suspensions would be appropriate. If they are feeling frisky, perhaps they could substitute their own image. eg [https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Bambi\_Meets\_Godzilla\_9215.jpg](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Bambi_Meets_Godzilla_9215.jpg) This. ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/191 "2018-08-09T03:04:55Z")
Tuba, would it be at all possible to make the avatars larger? Like maybe 100 x 100? (I think that’s they size they are over at the G-Board). Just curious. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/192 "2018-08-09T03:07:27Z")
> [@expectopatronum](#): > > Tuba, would it be at all possible to make the avatars larger? Like maybe 100 x 100? (I think that’s they size they are over at the G-Board). Just curious. 🙂 Here ya go. > [@TubaDiva](#): > > I had success using plain ol’ Irfanview. > > If you like, send me your picture ([TubaDiva@aol.com](mailto:TubaDiva@aol.com)) and I’ll give it a shot. > > And yes, I know they’re really really tiny right now – that’s the system default. Want to see how this affects the server load before I make things any bigger. Yes, I know it shouldn’t … and hopefully, it won’t … but careful goes it here. > > Jenny > your humble TubaDiva > Administrator ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/193 "2018-08-09T03:56:26Z")
OK, here goes. It took me a few minutes to come up with one that matched my username (which I’ve never been all that attached to, but figured it was too much trouble to change). While I was at it, I updated my signature for the first time since I registered in 2000. It seems appropriate considering the motto of the board. ---
**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 9, 2018, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/194 "2018-08-09T04:12:21Z")
Rittersport: I’m sorry you’ve been so unhappy about this. I’m glad that other Dopers have been able to provide a workaround for you. As to the decision to opt-in instead of opt-out as default, that was my decision, though I did solicit input from users on the board and discussed it extensively with the moderators. Ultimately what made me decide for opt-in as default is that this is something new users expect as a matter of course and so we did want people to see them instead of having to find out via stealth mode. I believe ultimately it’s better for the board as a whole. It’s one of those “needs of the many versus the needs of the few” choices, and I made it on the side of the many. I’m genuinely sorry for the few that this affects adversely. Please don’t go away; work with us to make this a better experience for you, for everyone. I have considered changing the size from 50 x 50 to 100 x 100 … how will this affect the look on mobile devices? I already read 50 x 50 is perfect for mobile users. Please advise, folks. AND I suspect we need to look at Tapatalk. i’m going to try to see if we need an update on Tapatalk and see if I can apply it and if that helps. Working through a lot of changes here and your patience and support is appreciated. Jenny your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/195 "2018-08-09T04:17:14Z")
> [@expectopatronum](#): > > Tuba, would it be at all possible to make the avatars larger? Like maybe 100 x 100? (I think that’s they size they are over at the G-Board). Just curious. 🙂 FWIW, your avatar is 21x36, so it has a little more room to grow. Fun with math: a 100x100 image has 4 times the number of pixels than a 50x50! ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/196 "2018-08-09T04:28:59Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > I have considered changing the size from 50 x 50 to 100 x 100 … how will this affect the look on mobile devices? I already read 50 x 50 is perfect for mobile users. Please advise, folks. Keep in mind that the avatars at the Raffe are set at 100x100, you can go browse around there on mobile, make sure it looks right. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/197 "2018-08-09T04:35:08Z")
Oh, and if you’re logged in there is a mobile style skin you can switch to–can’t use it if you’re just browsing as a guest though. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/198 "2018-08-09T04:49:44Z")
Testy ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/199 "2018-08-09T04:53:05Z")
Knowing how the Dope is about copyrights, mine’s off a stock photo site. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/200 "2018-08-09T05:34:58Z")
Is there a limit on how many tries (to get an acceptable-size) one can make? I seem to be “locked out”—I can see everyone else’s avatar (so it’s not an issue of having ‘don’t see avatars’ checked), and “Do not use an avatar” is NOT checked. I was trying to keep as much quality in the image as possible and tried uploading three or four (I’d go back and lower the ppi each time to get closer to the limit). So maybe that locked me out of the system? I’ve tried clicking Do Not Use An Avatar (to clear out the unacceptable entries), then clicking the Reset button. The Reset button always changes ‘Do Not Use An Avatar’ to ‘Use Custom Avatar,’ with no clicking of ‘Use Custom Avatar.’ Anyway, after those tries I had a 50 x 50 pixels, 19.1KB JPG image, which, when I use the Choose File button, DOES show up in the window partly hidden behind the Choose File button. But when I click “Save Changes,” the screen shudders and the window behind Choose File reverts to ‘No file chosen’. And I have no avatar. Is it the ‘lock-out’ thing? Or something else? I did shrink the file further, thinking maybe 19.1KB was too close to the 19.5KB limit-----but the new 12.0KB file (still a 50 x 50px JPG) does the same “shudder and disappear” thing when I click Save Changes. ??? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255.md?page=11)