# What's your opinion on the new Avatars on this board? **URL:** \ **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:** 7
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/121 "2018-08-10T17:52:52Z")
I turned them on, I don’t like them, so I turned them off, so I don’t care. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/122 "2018-08-10T17:56:15Z")
Yeah, turning out pretty much as I dreaded. Annoying as can be. Very few folk have reasonably relevant actual, you know, “avatars”. Etc. I’ll be turning them off, but not before I get mine up and tested. Trust me, it will be the _best_ avatar ever. Make the SDMB great again. ---
**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, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/123 "2018-08-10T18:20:41Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Very few folk have reasonably relevant actual, you know, “avatars”. Etc. Present company excluded, I assume.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/124 "2018-08-10T18:29:02Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I love them! Now if we could just get images added, too! Oh goody - then we could all see what each other is having for lunch… 😛 I like the idea of an image forum, but I wouldn’t want them everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/125 "2018-08-10T18:59:19Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Yeah, turning out pretty much as I dreaded. Annoying as can be. Very few folk have reasonably relevant actual, you know, “avatars”. Etc. > > I’ll be turning them off, but not before I get mine up and tested. Trust me, it will be the _best_ avatar ever. Make the SDMB great again. How do you define “reasonably relevant”? I see many that are relevant to their usernames. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/126 "2018-08-10T19:04:46Z")
I’ve gotten used to them on other fora and even have a file of ones I’ve used elsewhere. But at only 50 x 50 pixels, I’n having a hard time finding one that looks like anything. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/127 "2018-08-10T19:08:12Z")
Its a nice option, but I shut them off. I don’t like how the username is pushed so far to the right. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/128 "2018-08-10T19:10:55Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > … > 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?) All true, but if you browse by New Posts, ignoring a forum fails at times unless they add the vBulletin free ad-on that allows users to configure how New Posts works. As to it happening, I know of a board where it got bad for a while then settled down. I was speaking from experience. Lots of complaints in both directions of course. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/129 "2018-08-10T20:00:15Z")
I’m used to seeing them on other forums. I find the avatars can help create a ‘voice’ for some posters. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/130 "2018-08-10T20:13:39Z")
They doh’t bother me, but I find most of them incomprehensible and too small to decipher. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/131 "2018-08-10T20:23:23Z")
> [@Mars\_Horizon](#): > > I’m seeing red over them. Seems to be creating a stir. ---
**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, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/132 "2018-08-10T20:41:17Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Seems to be creating a stir. Whatever floats your boat. ---
**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, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/133 "2018-08-10T20:45:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Whatever floats your boat. Pretty sure that’s not a root beer float. ---
**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, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/134 "2018-08-10T21:00:52Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Yeah, turning out pretty much as I dreaded. Annoying as can be. Very few folk have reasonably relevant actual, you know, “avatars”. Etc. > > I’ll be turning them off, but not before I get mine up and tested. Trust me, it will be the _best_ avatar ever. Make the SDMB great again. I must admit, I’m on the edge of my seat wondering what avatar you think is relevant! Don’t make us wait too long! ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/135 "2018-08-10T21:06:35Z")
I’m a fan, but I wish the file size could be a little larger so they were clearer. When I reduced mine to 50x50px, it was still too large of a file size and was rejected. Reducing the file size made it fuzzy. I should probably make some line art to replace it. I find it easier to associate an image with a person than a name, so beyond “bling” I find them helpful to follow conversations. I hope people will mostly pick one and stick with it for continuity. ---
**Author:** ![Trafalgar\_Laura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trafalgar_laura/32/2907_2.png) [@Trafalgar\_Laura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trafalgar_Laura)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/136 "2018-08-10T21:13:47Z")
I think that the introduction of avatars is a great idea, a long time coming. The option to log in and then opt out gives even more chance for those anti-avatar to adjust. If we have to make them “relevant” I don’t know what to do, though. 😃 I’m not even sure what relevance would mean in this context. It’s an image, it makes it easy to scroll down and see what’s been posted by me (or others) without deciphering similarly written user names. I like it. 100x100 might be nice too, but I’m in no rush. This alone is kind of a fun update to the boards, improved by being optional. Like others, I wouldn’t be thrilled if we added giant image-based signatures with animation and flashing lights and such and such, but I somehow doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon. An actual image posting forum might be fun, especially if it keeps a majority of images from leaking out to the rest of the board. I’m not eager for this board to become a mass of flickering, animated images either… but I don’t see it going that way. A tiny change like itsy avatars isn’t really the first step to doom, imho. ---
**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, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/137 "2018-08-10T21:19:33Z")
> [@Trafalgar\_Laura](#): > > Like others, I wouldn’t be thrilled if we added giant image-based signatures with animation and flashing lights and such and such, but I somehow doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon. An actual image posting forum might be fun, especially if it keeps a majority of images from leaking out to the rest of the board. I’m not eager for this board to become a mass of flickering, animated images either… but I don’t see it going that way. A tiny change like itsy avatars isn’t really the first step to doom, imho. I had not previously posted a similar sentiment so let me just say that I am in complete agreement and accord with everyone you wrote there; thanks for putting it so well. ---
**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, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/138 "2018-08-10T23:07:53Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Oh goody - then we could all see what each other is having for lunch… 😛 > > I like the idea of an image forum, but I wouldn’t want them everywhere. I know you’re kidding, but I’m predicting lots of “check out my pets!” The servers will crash from the sheer cuteness of it all. > [@Renee](#): > > I’m a fan, but I wish the file size could be a little larger so they were clearer. When I reduced mine to 50x50px, it was still too large of a file size and was rejected. Reducing the file size made it fuzzy. I should probably make some line art to replace it. > > I find it easier to associate an image with a person than a name, so beyond “bling” I find them helpful to follow conversations. I hope people will mostly pick one and stick with it for continuity. I thik Tuba said she might go up to 100 x 100 eventually, if the server can handle it. After awhile, people will get used to them and forget they’re there. Don’t worry about them being “relevant”. And I don’t see many boards that have animated ones. ---
**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:** [August 10, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/139 "2018-08-10T23:10:27Z")
Too small to get much distinctive details in them. The ones I was seeing were like GIFs from the mid-1990s web. I turned them off. ---
**Author:** ![UncaStuart](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncastuart/32/404_2.png) [@UncaStuart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncaStuart)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365/140 "2018-08-11T00:01:08Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Hey, that’s the Royal Stewart tartan pattern, isn’t it? It’s modern Stuart of Bute (the only one spelled my way). There are variations in the red used, and I have always liked it at the maroon end of things. [https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=3951](https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=3951) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-the-new-avatars-on-this-board/819365.md?page=8)