Logic Behind Lack of Avatars for Noobs?

[One Still Sheep]

I'm just curious why members with fewer than 500 posts (I believe that is correct) are not allowed to have avatars: what is the reasoning behind this, bandwidth?

[r.j.s]

An avatar is kind of like a reward for being a committed community member - rather than just handing them out to anybody.

[One Still Sheep]

Originally Posted by r.j.s

An avatar is kind of like a reward for being a committed community member - rather than just handing them out to anybody.

I suspected that this was also a possibility.

Of course, the problem is that, on crowded threads in particular, viewers often read by avatar: eyes skimming down the thread selecting to read only the post which are accompanied by some visual cue (the rest merging into faceless indistinguishable opinions). There is nothing wrong with this approach per se, but it is an essentially unavoidable consequence.

[FrankieTDouglas]

Originally Posted by One Still Sheep

I suspected that this was also a possibility.

Of course, the problem is that, on crowded threads in particular, viewers often read by avatar: eyes skimming down the thread selecting to read only the post which are accompanied by some visual cue (the rest merging into faceless indistinguishable opinions). There is nothing wrong with this approach per se, but it is an essentially unavoidable consequence.

Hence, the "reward" for those who stick around with posting.

[One Still Sheep]

Originally Posted by FrankieTDouglas

Hence, the "reward" for those who stick around with posting.

Sorry, I may have misrepresented my point: I mean that reading the forum is, I think, more difficult (or at least it becomes less insightful).

[FrankieTDouglas]

Originally Posted by One Still Sheep

Sorry, I may have misrepresented my point: I mean that reading the forum is, I think, more difficult (or at least it becomes less insightful).

I dunno, there are plenty of people in the political forum who post without an avatar, and yet their views are well-known. I posted for about two years before I put up an avatar, never hurt me.

[JoeRito]

Originally Posted by One Still Sheep

Sorry, I may have misrepresented my point: I mean that reading the forum is, I think, more difficult (or at least it becomes less insightful).

Absolutely true... all non newbies (>30 posts) should have avatars. Please reconsider this position as it is very helpful when scanning threads.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by One Still Sheep

I suspected that this was also a possibility.

Of course, the problem is that, on crowded threads in particular, viewers often read by avatar: eyes skimming down the thread selecting to read only the post which are accompanied by some visual cue (the rest merging into faceless indistinguishable opinions). There is nothing wrong with this approach per se, but it is an essentially unavoidable consequence.

I have noticed that many people who have a post count of over 500 don't bother uploading an avatar anyway - So it probably wouldn't make a whole heap of difference.

[ChristianJapan]

I like the idea of having the little burden of 500 posts before getting an avatar. That visually confirms that those members are active for some time.
But I'm also sure that those posts without Avatar get attention. It's more content driven. I even more look on the ranking (like newbie or G3) to adjust the way of responding.

Keep yourself active and soon you have reached 500 (I got hyperactive after 450 ... was really chasing )

[justinmancini]

Originally Posted by One Still Sheep

I suspected that this was also a possibility.

Of course, the problem is that, on crowded threads in particular, viewers often read by avatar: eyes skimming down the thread selecting to read only the post which are accompanied by some visual cue (the rest merging into faceless indistinguishable opinions). There is nothing wrong with this approach per se, but it is an essentially unavoidable consequence.

If the line breaks, and borders around posts aren't enough of a visual cue for you, then something's wrong.

[deannnnn]

I like being rewarded for being a committed member! And of course we always welcome new people to our community here, but they have to do a little work before coming a "full" member if you will.

[theSeb]

I am not a big fan of avatars. I am thankful that at least MR does not allow pictures in signatures. Some forums look ridiculous because all of the animated avatars and big signature pictures. Awful awful stuff. My views are probably skewed because I am over 33 and having a pretty picture on the side of my posts is not a priority in my life.

[Plutonius]

Originally Posted by One Still Sheep

Of course, the problem is that, on crowded threads in particular, viewers often read by avatar

I have posted with avatars and without avatars and, in my opinion, it doesn't affect the number of responses you get.

I only have my current avatar for the werewolf games that are played in the community forums .

[Scepticalscribe]

Originally Posted by FrankieTDouglas

I dunno, there are plenty of people in the political forum who post without an avatar, and yet their views are well-known. I posted for about two years before I put up an avatar, never hurt me.

Same here; when I reached the magic figure which allowed me to post an avatar I was working and living abroad, and it didn't really bother me. It was months after my return that - actually, it was on account of the WW games - a full two years after I was allowed to have one that I finally decided to do so.

Originally Posted by mrsir2009

I have noticed that many people who have a post count of over 500 don't bother uploading an avatar anyway - So it probably wouldn't make a whole heap of difference.

It doesn't, actually. Initially, I thought that it would, and then found that it didn't.

Originally Posted by r.j.s

An avatar is kind of like a reward for being a committed community member - rather than just handing them out to anybody.

Yes, that sums it up nicely.

Originally Posted by One Still Sheep

I suspected that this was also a possibility.

Of course, the problem is that, on crowded threads in particular, viewers often read by avatar: eyes skimming down the thread selecting to read only the post which are accompanied by some visual cue (the rest merging into faceless indistinguishable opinions). There is nothing wrong with this approach per se, but it is an essentially unavoidable consequence.

Oddly enough, not really; once you get into reading posts you get a fair idea of who is who. The challenge is when you hardly visit for a few months (as happened to me when I was working and living abroad) and when you return, you have to acquaint yourself with several new names.

Originally Posted by theSeb

I am not a big fan of avatars. I am thankful that at least MR does not allow pictures in signatures. Some forums look ridiculous because all of the animated avatars and big signature pictures. Awful awful stuff. My views are probably skewed because I am over 33 and having a pretty picture on the side of my posts is not a priority in my life.

I'm over 33, too, and yes, I agree with you.

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Agreed. I like how MacRumors does it.

As do I. Simple and tasteful.

Originally Posted by Garsun

I would like to have an Avatar, but with 18 posts in three years, it's going to take awhile

Find areas that interest you and make a few comments there; I was looking forward to being allowed to join the PRSI forum, but found myself unable to take full advantage of the right to participate for a while. However, books, music and movies are nice interesting topics, and there are some lovely threads which deal with these topics, where one can have interesting discussions, meet like-minded individuals and make online friends, and actually a thing or two. Contributing also adds to one's post count.

Originally Posted by bjm2660

My New Years resolution--to go for 500.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Plutonius

I have posted with avatars and without avatars and, in my opinion, it doesn't affect the number of responses you get.

I only have my current avatar for the werewolf games that are played in the community forums .

Yes, I'm in the same position; the WW games were the main reason I decided to upload one.

[Garsun]

I would like to have an Avatar, but with 18 posts in three years, it's going to take awhile

[bjm2660]

My New Years resolution--to go for 500.

[CJM]

So I just found out I have more than 500 posts to my name.

Nice! Avatar time.

[charlieegan3]

I personally think there should be more rewards, like over 10000 and your posts are highlighted or something.

Stackoverflow does this kind of user levels really well.

[NewAnger]

Delete

[ChrisMan287]

Getting there..

[MisterKeeks]

Originally Posted by ChrisMan287

Getting there..

I remember when you joined and had 20 posts per day compared to my tiny posts per day.