I turned on avatars today.

[TroutMan]

@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.

[minor7flat5]

@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.

[Kent_Clark]

@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?

[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.

[running_coach]

@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:

[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.

[XT]

@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!!

[TroutMan]

@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.

[XT]

@TroutMan

I serve up the softballs, you reel them in.

Hook, line and stinker…

[Darren_Garrison]

@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 is why. But it is cute that you think that you pulled a 'gotcha" on me.

[Beckdawrek]

@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.

[Jonathan_Chance]

Everyone stop bitching at each other. The issue of avatars has been litigated to death and a decision made.

[TubaDiva]

@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.)

[Roderick_Femm]

@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.

[wolfpup]

@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 in such forums without those instructions being noted as actual moderator instructions?

Are the rules here changing in some way?

[bobot]

No, he cleared his throat. You new here?

[Jonathan_Chance]

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.

[Colibri]

@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.

[RaftPeople]

@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.

[Gatopescado]

@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.