What is the point of avatars?

[Brendan Burgess]

The big coloured circles are to allow people upload avatars.

I find avatars very irritating and just adding to the clutter.

They might have some value if people uploaded their actual photos - which I have done to illustrate.

Brendan

 

[Jazz01]

Can the "avatar circle" be reduced in size ?

 

[Romulan]

They are a symbol of our individuality and refusal to conform to your expectations.

You are avatar-phobic, probably Emoji-phobic as well.

 

[Purple]

That looks like a very old photo Brendan

 

[demoivre]

Don't get this circle with an initial in it either. I had no idea who "J" above was until I saw Jazz01 below it.

 

[demoivre]

You're' a fresh looking man for 73 Brendan. Fair play.

 

[Purple]

Yea, just the posters name would be better.

 

[demoivre]

Get rid of these large circles with the posters initial in it?

 

[so-crates]

Hey! I just noticed! Purple's circle isn't purple ... that shouldn't be allowed

 

[Páid]

Where do you edit your avatar? I cannot see it in the Profile or Preferences pages.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

Where do you edit your avatar? I cannot see it in the Profile or Preferences pages.

You can't. I just edited mine to show people what it would look like.

Brendan

 

[MangoJoe]

Where do you edit your avatar? I cannot see it in the Profile or Preferences pages.

You can't. I just edited mine to show people what it would look like.

Brendan

Love this exchange. Pure Tolstoy

 

[so-crates]

Being restricted to actual photos might be off-putting for someone who wishes to ask a sensitive question and to do so anonymously. I have no particular issue with avatars as long as they are reasonably unique, personally I would probably not bother with an avatar but I am not adverse to trying one out. The letter thing is not off-putting but it is not inviting either, the colour scheme on my "S" is a bit queasy!

Basically I think it would be better to allow people to decide their own profile preference, as long as it was within the bounds of reason.

 

[Nutso]

The big circle with the letter is a bit annoying. Just names as per the old format would be better I think. I certainly don't want to upload my photo on an anonymous internet forum!

 

[Romulan]

Can we all use this one?

 

[Brendan Burgess]

OK

We will get rid of the avatar and circle entirely.

Brendan

 

[losttheplot]

Brendan looks like he's singing.

 

[Páid]

Why don't you create a poll to see whether members want to use avatars or not?

 

[Brendan Burgess]

Why don't you create a poll to see whether members want to use avatars or not?

A bit like Brexit. Just in case a majority votes to keep them.

Brendan