# 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:** 21
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/401 "2019-04-22T23:28:51Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I find it easier to follow long discussions with avatars. I also find in much easier to quickly scroll through and find my most recent post in a thread. I was one of those who was originally opposed. Then I decided to add one for myself, even though I personally had it turned off, because some people liked them. Then I turned it on just to see what it looked like, and I’ve kept them on. They help me recognize posters more easily, especially when scrolling through a thread looking for particular responses. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Wait–has it been upped to 100x100? It was 50x50 in the short time I left them on. It’s still 50x50, **Chronos** misspoke. And I like that size. They are essentially the same size as the user name and type, so having them turned on doesn’t extend each post unnecessarily. That was my worry before I actually saw them. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/402 "2019-04-22T23:42:17Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The avatars have been handy visual clues for posters that pick one and stick to it. Agreed. I spot the Garden State Parkway logo from afar and know you are posting. Likewise, whatever Beckdawreck’s Warhol-inspired avatar is, it stands out everywhere. I really like the new avatar look, as long as they are tastefully done and folks stick with one. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/403 "2019-04-23T00:12:30Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > For me, at least, the site looks exactly like it always has because I very quickly turned the feature off. The avitars are big enough to be distracting and tacky but too low resolution to be anything interesting, so they are the worst of both worlds and I’m very glad to have the option of not seeing them. **Darren Garrison** , do you realize that your avatar is still visible to the rest of us? If you find them distracting and tacky, why don’t you delete yours? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/404 "2019-04-23T00:20:27Z")
It’s possible to not like seeing avatars yourself, but still want to provide one for people who do want to see them. I was in that boat for a while. ---
**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:** [April 23, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/405 "2019-04-23T00:29:21Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > It’s possible to not like seeing avatars yourself, but still want to provide one for people who do want to see them. I was in that boat for a while. Then you got hooked. :flees: ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/406 "2019-04-23T00:32:31Z")
Early on in the discussion I didn’t see why people would want them. I’ve been on other discussion groups where they were too big and annoying. Now that we’ve used them for a while, I actually like them. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/407 "2019-04-23T00:32:49Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > It’s possible to not like seeing avatars yourself, but still want to provide one for people who do want to see them. I was in that boat for a while. Obviously, it was a catch and release situation as you are still posting. Glad you made it!! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/408 "2019-04-23T00:34:29Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Then you got hooked. > [@XT](#): > > Obviously, it was a catch and release situation as you are still posting. Glad you made it!! I serve up the softballs, you reel them in. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/409 "2019-04-23T00:39:07Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I serve up the softballs, you reel them in. Hook, line and stinker… ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/410 "2019-04-23T00:44:36Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > **Darren Garrison** , do you realize that your avatar is still visible to the rest of us? If you find them distracting and tacky, why don’t you delete yours? [This](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21156343&postcount=212) is why. But it is cute that you think that you pulled a 'gotcha" on me. ---
**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:** [April 23, 2019, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/411 "2019-04-23T00:46:43Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > Agreed. > > I spot the Garden State Parkway logo from afar and know you are posting. > Likewise, whatever Beckdawreck’s Warhol-inspired avatar is, it stands out everywhere. > > I really like the new avatar look, as long as they are tastefully done and folks stick with one. oh, Yay! I always wanted to be a standout. It’s my profile, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/412 "2019-04-23T00:58:17Z")
Everyone stop bitching at each other. The issue of avatars has been litigated to death and a decision made. ---
**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:** [April 23, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/413 "2019-04-23T01:18:25Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Early on in the discussion I didn’t see why people would want them. I’ve been on other discussion groups where they were too big and annoying. Now that we’ve used them for a while, I actually like them. Yours is so cute! Just saying. Jenny your humble TubaDiva (Mine is probably boring to everyone but me.) ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/414 "2019-04-23T01:25:59Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > For me, at least, the site looks exactly like it always has because I very quickly turned the feature off. The avitars are big enough to be distracting and tacky but too low resolution to be anything interesting, so they are the worst of both worlds and I’m very glad to have the option of not seeing them. But thank you for having one anyway for the rest of us to see. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/415 "2019-04-23T01:27:20Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Everyone stop bitching at each other. The issue of avatars has been litigated to death and a decision made. Question of protocol: do we now have moderators not assigned to specific forums deciding on their own initiative to moderate those forums? Also, do we now have moderators [apparently issuing instructions](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21593349&postcount=6) in such forums without those instructions being noted as actual moderator instructions? Are the rules here changing in some way? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/416 "2019-04-23T01:40:05Z")
No, he cleared his throat. You new here? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/417 "2019-04-23T01:49:31Z")
ATMB is an odd animal where we can all chime in to control things as needed. It doesn’t happen often but from time to time it does. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/418 "2019-04-23T02:10:34Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Are the rules here changing in some way? I can’t imagine why you would think so. There is no “rule” that moderators aren’t allowed to moderate in other than their assigned forums. We generally defer to forum mods on judgement calls within their forums, but that’s a matter of professional courtesy, not a formal limitation. In any case, if you’ve read ATMB for any length of time you’ll have seen various mods express their opinions and give instructions. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/419 "2019-04-23T02:12:05Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Do we know if adding avatars has helped either the reader/poster numbers? Has anyone here found it handy to have avatars attached to the names of other posters? Not exactly answering those questions but this is what I’ve noticed since the avatars got turned on: 1 - My posts are 26% more insightful 2 - The general “feel” of most threads I’ve read (as measured by the general activity level of my wife’s cat while I’m reading the thread) has jumped up a bit in energy, spunkiness and all around oomph 3 - My taxes are up since the avaters were turned on Two positives and one big negative, not sure where that leaves us. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255/420 "2019-04-23T02:18:27Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Continued intentional violation of those rules is jerkish behavior, and can (and usually will) result in warnings and possibly a discussion about your posting privileges here. This will not be necessary. EDIT: I will no longer use the Avatar thing. First, I’m gonna play. Then I’m gonnal talk about it. Maybe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-turned-on-avatars-today/819255.md?page=22)