I have been wondering why it is not possible to upload avatars. In my user profile I see the following message:
The avatar functionality is currently disabled.
It has been 'currently disabled' for years by now as I recall. Is there any rational reason for this? After all, quite a few board members have avatars, so why are others discriminated and not allowed to use one?
We used to have the rule that you needed 1000 posts for an avatar and 10000 for an animated one. Avatars were uploaded and set manually by the board admin, but no one really does that anymore. I think the reason was that we didn't want annoying, ugly or oversized icons, so some stricter control about icons (and cracking down on the use of footers) is inderstandable. I think it was worth it because there's plenty of forums spammed full with huge and ugly banners in footers and annoying or and ugly icons.
Right now it sucks a bit that no one feels responsible for the icons anymore, but rather that than flashing blobs of ugly.
I've had your icon blocked for some time now, Eraser. It's too distracting with its animation. Not the only one, either. The supposed quality control hasn't helped, some terrible icons on here. Latest one was an ad for a fast food chain. Had to block that one.
I fully agree with the restriction on footers, those are really abused by some jerks. On the other hand, the avatar is only a tiny 60x60 image. Also, what may seem ugly to you could look cool to someone else. It is highly subjective.
I think that the 1000 post limit for avatars is a bit excessive. IMHO if a person has already posted 50 or 100 messages, then he/she is clearly someone who is interested in the forum and probably a long time user by then. Anyway, it is not so important to me, I was just curious. For me avatars make it easy to find posts by somebody when I scan a very long topic.
speaker wrote:I think that the 1000 post limit for avatars is a bit excessive.
if you look for one of the avatar threads, you can request an avatar there and the mods/admins will do it the next time they're working on a batch (which may be some time).
i don't think the 1000 post thing really applies anymore, unless you only ever post in GD and your content is 99% icons and stupid shit.
I have been wondering why it is not possible to upload avatars. In my user profile I see the following message:
The avatar functionality is currently disabled.
It has been 'currently disabled' for years by now as I recall. Is there any rational reason for this? After all, quite a few board members have avatars, so why are others discriminated and not allowed to use one?
If you want a new avatar then just post your request in the appropriate thread which is stickied in this forum, Dark Metal updates the icons every couple of weeks so you will have your new avatar in next to no time.
@SoM:
I am definitely interested, I check the forum every morning for new stuff. Most of the topics posted are either uninteresting for me, or outside my expertise. I post only if I have something useful to add. I wish others would do the same.
@LawL, 4days:
Thanks for the suggestions, I will do as you say.
Just checked the avatar topic in the 'Announcements' thread. My eyes kind of popped out when I read the following:
You pretty much have to be online on the forum for about 48 hours straight. All of us with custom icons have done it.
Why all this hassle? It would have been easy for the admins to allow avatars, and just delete the ones they think is inappropriate, then disable the offending user's capability to upload avatars from that point.
I think I will just stay with the stupid q3a icon, thank you.
speaker wrote:Just checked the avatar topic in the 'Announcements' thread. My eyes kind of popped out when I read the following:
You pretty much have to be online on the forum for about 48 hours straight. All of us with custom icons have done it.
Why all this hassle? It would have been easy for the admins to allow avatars, and just delete the ones they think is inappropriate, then disable the offending user's capability to upload avatars from that point.
I think I will just stay with the stupid q3a icon, thank you.
The 1000 and 10k post achievement rules were from the forum heydays. It was required for most forum members unless it was awarded to a member for contributing positively to the community. The idea was that you started off ranking as a "giblet" and moved your way up to "nightmare incarnate" before you get a custom rank. That rule isn't really enforced anymore and regular visitors can get one on request.
Most forums have absolutely horrible avatars so I like that we have a minimum bar rating, I've seen some overly flashy/ugly avatars being rejected in the past.
Is there any rational reason for this? After all, quite a few board members have avatars, so why are others discriminated and not allowed to use one?
