Who wishes we could have avatars/photos on BITOG?

[Klutch9]

I honestly have to say that BITOG is far and away my favorite forum. However, I do wish that we could have avatars or pictures underneath our username like most other forums allow. Is this something that is restricted by BITOG, or are the UBB Forums not set up to support this?

 

[SLCraig]

I am not a huge fan of that type of stuff like big signature pics and stuff, clutters everything up. But I do like the thought of a built in photo hosting app. Would make it easy to search for valvetrain pics and all that fun stuff.

I don't really not support the idea either. I probably wouldn't setup an avatar or sig pic, but if others want it, that's cool.

 

[Nick R]

Avatars would be nice. Another forum I frequent uses 60x60 avatars that are unobtrusive but work well.

 

[Nick R]

Link to an example thread
http://www.pchelpforum.com/lounge/123436-what-your-thanksgiving-plans.html

 

[abycat]

Im going to have to say no on the avatar vote. I really like the almost technical look the forum has. I hate the randomness of the avatars from person to person and they mess with the page when they are the wrong size.

 

[Klutch9]

How about a standard-sized icon, like the cash supporters and military veterans get? It really doesn't take up much more room. And personally, I think HUGE signatures pose more of a distraction than a stardard-sized avatar.

 

[Loobed]

You can have an avatar. Be a sponsor or be a military veteran.

I think no custom avatars is a good idea. Most avatars reflect the persons sexual, religious, or political views.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: Loobed


You can have an avatar. Be a sponsor or be a military veteran.

I think no custom avatars is a good idea. Most avatars reflect the persons sexual, religious, or political views.





True, but seeing as how BITOG is a very well-censored site, I'm sure that disallowing avatars of such nature wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Smokescreen]

My vote would be for no avatars, leave it the way it is.

 

[jmsjags]

i like it the way it is. it feels good to be on top!

 

[Josh48065]

I would put the 500$ cash supported picture as my avatar to look like a boss haha

 

[PF52]

I vote no avatars. Just because all the kewl kids have them on their forums, doesn't mean we do too.

 

[oily boyd]

I also vote no avatars.

To make a car analogy -it's like the rear wing, lowering springs and 350 square inches of subwoofer in a kids Civic DX. He's just hoping that someone will notice him.

No offense intended to the avatar lovers!

 

[stephen9666]

I think avatars are a very good idea. Generally, there are size guidelines, so they don't mess up the formatting of the forum. I agree that it is annoying when people have huge banners in their sig, but I think avatars are fine. It makes it easier to keep track of members because you can connect the name with a picture.

Also, you aren't required to have avatars.

Here's an example from another forum.

 

[Papa Bear]

I would vote for avatars but only if they were our driver's license photos.....

 

[97tbird]

I'd like avatar.
To be a sponsor or military just to have an avatar is a bit much.

 

[crw]

I'd be in favor of anything that aids in communication.

If the avatar were strictly someone's head shot, (a big if, I know) then I would be able to know something about the person. For example, I'd be more willing to trust the advice of someone who looks like he (or she) has been around the block a few times, than someone who looks like he is skipping school.

Sometimes someone will put in their sig... "Ford Technician for 30 years"... I'm more willing to accept their comment.

If the avatar is a young woman who appears to be trying out for the SI swimsuit edition, then it's distracting. (Even though I like that as much as the next guy.) Unless you really are that person, in which case see the point above.

Closely related are the little smiley pictures. Think about it... those things communicate "emotion", which really is very important to communication. The same words might have very different meanings when they are accompanied by the emoticons.

 

[Colt45ws]

Like stephen I use avatars to connect a name with a picture. I end up using it like a face. I had a problem with this for awhile here, due to so many people having the same couple avatars. Then I found I could just disable avatars completely and that makes it much easier as it forces me to use a name.

I vote yes. For avatars. No sig pics.

 

[rpn453]

I like avatars, as long as they're not animated. It makes it easier to remember different users and provides some insight about their personality.

I use an amusing Arnold pic on one forum, but I'd stick to my standard car avatar here!