Hi,
I’m looking for as good definition for the word “avatar”. I know it’s used in computer simulations but I don’t have a good definition for it.
I look forward to your feedback.
davidmich
Its got a NEW meaning in social computing, where you “see” other people, where it refers to their thumbnail/profile picture/Or there character. EG If a player chooses to play a persian cat, then the avatar is the persian cat character or picture or 3d model… (The avatar is what OTHER people see, as in its only the virtual character, not the actual person… )
But its an old sanskrit word, hence you might be wanting the other meanings
Try the Merriam Webster definitions
An avatar is a personification of an idea or concept. This has been adapted to cover personas (online ‘avatar’) in recent times.
In Hindu mythology, an avatar is a deliberate manifestation (literally, descent) of a god onto the Earth, in human, animal or mythological form. The most famous avatars are those of Vishnu, who has currently appeared nine times, and the appearance of the tenth (Kalki) will mark the end of this cycle of life in the universe.
The social and computing idea of an avatar has been adapted from this.
Thank you all very much.
davidmich
I would define the computing sense as “A visible representation of a human user in a virtual environment”.