# No Avatars Here? Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 19, 2012, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626 "2012-06-19T09:55:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/101 "2012-06-19T18:45:40Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Not necessarily. But in the case of something as simple as avatars, which are pretty much available on every message board out there, and haven’t caused nearly the havoc that everyone seems to be predicting, yes, definitely. > > Or at least, I find their arguments mere hysteria. > > Why not try them out for say, a month or two, and see how it goes? Of the top 100 or so message boards out there, how many have avatars turned on? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/102 "2012-06-19T18:49:38Z")
Ok, first, I’d assume you could turn avatars off in your preferences. Otherwise they’d be very annoying. Second, who cares? It’s just a little picture. Now if it cost money to have an avatar, and that would induce some people to pay for memberships and stop complaining about the ads, then it would be worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/103 "2012-06-19T18:51:26Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > He’s not saying the site would be sued or shut down. He’s saying we have a strict copyright policy (since we want people to respect the copyright on Straight Dope columns) and as such, it might be a hassle for us to enforce our copyright rules with regard to avatars. And yes, then there’s the question of avatars that offend people. Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/104 "2012-06-19T18:58:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Ok, first, I’d assume you could turn avatars off in your preferences. Otherwise they’d be very annoying. Actually, the pro-avatar argument is that they’d be off by default, so the board would look identical to logged-in poster and web surfing guest alike, except for those posters who went into their UserCP and checked a box. Those people would see the avatars of their fellow avatar enthusiasts. No one else would see anything. This is all moot, of course, since the owners of the board don’t want avatars and have said they’re not going to turn them on. But it doesn’t stop threads like this from veering into cuckoo land. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/105 "2012-06-19T19:05:34Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Of the top 100 or so message boards out there, how many have avatars turned on? I didn’t check all top 100 boards on [big-boards.com](http://big-boards.com), but in general, they are turned on more than off. If someone else has some free time maybe they can research more thoroughly. I am for them of course, and always have been. All 400 times this subject has come up and been smacked back down. ---
**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:** [June 19, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/106 "2012-06-19T19:06:58Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Of the top 100 or so message boards out there, how many have avatars turned on? I give up. How many? ---
**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:** [June 19, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/107 "2012-06-19T19:08:48Z")
I’m neutral here…I probably wouldn’t turn them on even if they were an option. I generally find them a distraction on boards that I’m a member of that have the things. Giraffe, does your board have avatars? If so, how’s it worked out? -XT ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/108 "2012-06-19T19:11:29Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I give up. How many? i was obviously responding to the claim made in post #98. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/109 "2012-06-19T19:15:24Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Giraffe, does your board have avatars? If so, how’s it worked out? > > -XT There was a revolt and everything went down in flames. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/110 "2012-06-19T19:15:49Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Giraffe, does your board have avatars? If so, how’s it worked out? It’s been interesting – when the board started, I was among the anti-avatar crowd, but didn’t see the harm in letting people turn them on who wanted them (they were off by default). I forced myself to leave them on so I could make sure people [del]were[/del] weren’t using offensive avatars, and quickly grew to like them. It’s a nice additional visual cue, and a chance for a bit of self-expression that smart people often do good things with. Eventually, I went ahead and changed the default setting to on, since most people were using them, figuring those that disliked them could still turn them off. No problems with obscene or offensive avatars – spammers and trolls don’t bother, since it makes it all the easier to notice and ban them, and people who want to stay unbanned follow the basic guidelines. So I’m an avatar convert, although I understand the reticence from those who don’t want them on by default. The default setting is what matters: that’s what affects your appearance to new visitors. Edit: were -\> weren’t. ---
**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:** [June 19, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/111 "2012-06-19T19:20:42Z")
Does it make for a lot of extra work for the Mods to police PC type avatars? I’d think that would be the biggest issue…well, besides shifting an entrenched ‘conservative’ user base who just likes things the way they have always been. 😉 -XT ---
**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:** [June 19, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/112 "2012-06-19T19:22:35Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > i was obviously responding to the claim made in post #98. So? You seem to be implying something with your question. What is it? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/113 "2012-06-19T19:25:21Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > So? You seem to be implying something with your question. What is it? I’m implying that I would like to know the answer to my question. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/114 "2012-06-19T19:28:05Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Does it make for a lot of extra work for the Mods to police PC type avatars? I’d think that would be the biggest issue…well, besides shifting an entrenched ‘conservative’ user base who just likes things the way they have always been. 😉 It’s been no work at all, although I guess it depends on how controlling one wants to be. If they were to turn them on here (which they won’t), the smartest policy IMO would be to require avatars be work-safe (i.e. no nudity, profanity or anything resembling hate speech) and beyond that not worry about it. If someone uses an avatar of Obama wearing a clown nose and someone else gets offended, tough titties. Once you go down that road, it’s a huge headache. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/115 "2012-06-19T19:29:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > i was obviously responding to the claim made in post #98. Actually, were you unaware that smarmy rhetorical questions really aren’t a response? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/116 "2012-06-19T19:29:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m implying that I would like to know the answer to my question. Why didn’t you just say so then? ---
**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:** [June 19, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/117 "2012-06-19T19:30:55Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’m implying that I would like to know the answer to my question. I think almost everyone would agree that almost all boards out there have avatars, which is all Guin said. Why should she go out and survey the top 100 to validate something on your mind you won’t even articulate? I know she has lots of time on her hands but that seems a little presumptuous. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/118 "2012-06-19T19:34:02Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > No – that’s _only if I accept your premise_, which I do not. > > In any case, it still wouldn’t make it “silly”. You don’t see the potential flaw in your reasoning, I do. I’m not going to keep repeating myself. But I will concede my choice of “silly” as a description may be a bit harsh. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/119 "2012-06-19T19:43:37Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I think almost everyone would agree that almost all boards out there have avatars, which is all Guin said. Why should she go out and survey the top 100 to validate something on your mind you won’t even articulate? I know she has lots of time on her hands but that seems a little presumptuous. Everyone would agree that almost all boards have avatars, so it’s a waste of time to find out if it’s true? I wouldn’t want to waste anyone’s time asking for evidence of such a well-known fact, so if one of you could point me in the direction of a decent message board list I’ll try to get the answer myself. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626/120 "2012-06-19T19:45:58Z")
[Here you go.](http://www.big-boards.com/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-avatars-here-why/625626.md?page=7)