# What's your opinion on the new Avatars on this board?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 9, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365 "2018-08-09T21:54:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 6

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/101 "2018-08-10T16:16:59Z")

</div>

Lotta Simulpost, MD

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/102 "2018-08-10T16:17:45Z")

</div>

I don’t like them, but I also hate the smilies.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/103 "2018-08-10T16:19:00Z")

</div>

> [@Roderick\_Femm](#):
>
> Is it Abby Normal?

> [@kayaker](#):
>
> Can’t make it out, but I assume it says “Abby”.

No, but that’s brilliant and I wish that I thought of it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/104 "2018-08-10T16:25:17Z")

</div>

I swear, you just can’t please anywhere here, can you? Don’t like them? Turn them off. I have never seen a forum more resistant to change than this one. Most places do have them, and new users will probably expect to have that option.

> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> They can be conservative and open up 1 forum to images. Though that will lead to trolling by placing up NSFW pics that people will end up viewing at work and causing issues.

I doubt it – I don’t see it happening much on other boards, and the mods can probably quash them pretty fast. If you’re that worried, just don’t browse that forum during work.  
(Quite honestly, the more people worry that “omg, we’ll see trolls posting pr0n!!!” the more likely that will be. Streisand Effect, you know?)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/105 "2018-08-10T16:32:17Z")

</div>

> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#):
>
> Ironically, **Bo** , yours is one I’ve been wondering about. Not sure what I’m looking at there.
> 
> (of course, the problem may lie in my aging eyes)  
> mmm

Not just your aging eyes; the small size is a factor, for sure.

It’s a selfie I took in my old Stustu Studio after I had finished a project some years back; I’ve been using it as my profile pic on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlCBvV-cV5yhiC9AQv3yZk96JD7kjeug) and other sites ever since so I figured I might as well use it here too. I saw that we can upload a slightly larger (125x125) pic for our profile page, so I posted that too; it’s a bit easier to see clearly.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/106 "2018-08-10T16:36:23Z")

</div>

> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> I swear, you just can’t please anywhere here, can you? Don’t like them? Turn them off. I have never seen a forum more resistant to change than this one. Most places do have them, and new users will probably expect to have that option.
> 
> I doubt it – I don’t see it happening much on other boards, and the mods can probably quash them pretty fast. If you’re that worried, just don’t browse that forum during work.  
> (Quite honestly, the more people worry that “omg, we’ll see trolls posting pr0n!!!” the more likely that will be. Streisand Effect, you know?)

No kidding. The reaction of some is eye roll inducing. They’re 50x50 pixel static images. The board is not going to make a rapid slide into bodybuilding or anime forum territory.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/107 "2018-08-10T16:41:11Z")

</div>

> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#):
>
> It’s a selfie I took in my old Stustu Studio

Phil Collins pronounces that Sussudio.🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 10, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/108 "2018-08-10T16:41:58Z")

</div>

> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> I swear, you just can’t please anywhere here, can you? Don’t like them? Turn them off. I have never seen a forum more resistant to change than this one. Most places do have them, and new users will probably expect to have that option.

Why do you have to be like that? This thread is for the express purpose of asking people’s opinion on them. The people in this thread who dislike them a lot do seem to have them turned off. Maybe turn off your superiority complex.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/109 "2018-08-10T16:45:44Z")

</div>

I like them. I think it adds a little personality. And if you don’t like them, you can turn of them off. Win-win.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/110 "2018-08-10T16:47:07Z")

</div>

> [@Rushgeekgirl](#):
>
> I think they’re fun and I’m really glad they’re not flashing or too big. I just noticed them about ten minutes ago though, so I don’t know if I’ve just been lucky so far.

So…Geddy, Neil, or Alex? 😃

> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#):
>
> No, but that’s brilliant and I wish that I thought of it.

Paint or Photoshop should easily allow you to edit in the name.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/111 "2018-08-10T16:49:11Z")

</div>

> [@kayaker](#):
>
> Phil Collins pronounces that Sussudio.🙂

Aye; that’s the gag. David Letterman’s constant jabbing at that godawful-but-catchy song was one of the funniest things I’ll ever experience; that phrase and my laughter are deeply entwined, so I decided that the place I most enjoyed spending my time could be associated with that too and _voila!_: the Stustu Studio!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/112 "2018-08-10T16:51:27Z")

</div>

> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#):
>
> Aye; that’s the gag. David Letterman’s constant jabbing at it was one of the funniest things I’ll experience; that phrase and my laughter are deeply entwined, and so the place I most enjoyed spending my time was also.

Cool. Guess I was whoooshed, again. 😃

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/113 "2018-08-10T16:55:29Z")

</div>

> [@Randolph](#):
>
> Fine with them, but turned’em off. I’d rather judge posts by their content, and often tune out the usernames entirely.

Pretty much same here, except that I’m both trying to see if I can get used to seeing avatars, and providing my own for those who appreciate it.

But yeah, I don’t even usually look at people’s names before reading their posts, and prefer to only scroll up and note their name if the post was worthy of such note, whether it’s for positive or negative reasons. I think I’m finding that I can almost as easily ignore avatars before reading posts, but they are helpful for scrolling back and forth to quickly scan a particular conversation when I want to do that.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/114 "2018-08-10T16:58:26Z")

</div>

Comme ci, comme ça.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/115 "2018-08-10T17:06:08Z")

</div>

I really like it! It’s voluntary so, if avatars aren’t one’s cup of tea, just don’t upload one.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/116 "2018-08-10T17:09:54Z")

</div>

I find them useful for keeping track of who is saying what. Pictures stick better than names for me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/117 "2018-08-10T17:34:25Z")

</div>

> [@kayaker](#):
>
> Cool. Guess I was whoooshed, again. 😃

The opposite from my POV: you’re one of the few people to make what I thought would be an obvious connection. Believe it or not, most people don’t even notice the name and the next largest group ask who Stu is.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/118 "2018-08-10T17:35:27Z")

</div>

Welp, I just turned them off. I’ve been waffling on it for a day or two - I don’t mind the icons myself, but I mostly read this at work, and as the pages got more colorful I started to think I liked it better when the pages were basically monochrome and serious looking. So now they are again!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/119 "2018-08-10T17:39:22Z")

</div>

> [@pullin](#):
>
> I’ll leave them off since they add nothing to the conversation.

To the conversation, maybe no. To the reader, they offer a visual clue as to who is “speaking” and some people take in information faster that way. On forums where people have avatars, I know I tend to rely on them for major posters when scanning my way down the threads.

That’s not to say that we can’t live without them and they ARE primarily self-serving bling but they’re not entirely pointless.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/120 "2018-08-10T17:44:26Z")

</div>

Meh. Something that the whippersnappers might enjoy but not my cup of tea.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365.md?page=5)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365.md?page=7)
