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Avatar Suggestion

mac 2005

mac 2005

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 1, 2005
782
126
Chicago
Wonder if this might be a good way to stem the avatar question... The "Edit Avatar" screen itself seems like it can be a bit puzzling to some folks. I wonder if a few words could be added to the right of "Edit Avatar."

For example...

"Edit Avatar -- 500 posts required to use this feature"

I did a forum search on "avatar" and I got 20 pages (i.e., 500 posts). Only 1 link on the first results page was relevant -- and it wasn't a link to the FAQ page or the "sticky" on the Site and Forum Feedback page.

As a member who lurked before I joined, I knew 'twas better to search before posting -- but I think some people get intimidated by the results and go ahead and post. In cases like the inevitable "Where's my avatar?" query, I wonder if some of the confusion could be avoided by a tweak to the configuration screen itself.
 
mac_2005 said:
Wonder if this might be a good way to stem the avatar question... The "Edit Avatar" screen itself seems like it can be a bit puzzling to some folks. I wonder if a few words could be added to the right of "Edit Avatar."

For example...

"Edit Avatar -- 500 posts required to use this feature"

I did a forum search on "avatar" and I got 20 pages (i.e., 500 posts). Only 1 link on the first results page was relevant -- and it wasn't a link to the FAQ page or the "sticky" on the Site and Forum Feedback page.

As a member who lurked before I joined, I knew 'twas better to search before posting -- but I think some people get intimidated by the results and go ahead and post. In cases like the inevitable "Where's my avatar?" query, I wonder if some of the confusion could be avoided by a tweak to the configuration screen itself.
Click to expand...

a sensible suggestion, but i am not sure the forms can be customized in that way
 
Don't panic said:
a sensible suggestion, but i am not sure the forms can be customized in that way
Click to expand...

It looks like it could be, but I've only recently begun learning php.
 

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That is a surprisingly good idea. Better than making a new person use the search function (which they won't) but still getting the point across. It should be definately doable...
 
mac_2005 said:
It looks like it could be, but I've only recently begun learning php.
Click to expand...
Not as simple as that. vBulletin is made up of so, so, so many PHP files that all combine in various ways to create each page, not to mention the vast amount of content that is stored in SQL, actually finding where this little bit is would be a serious headache.
 
mac_2005 said:
"Edit Avatar -- 500 posts required to use this feature"
Click to expand...

This is a good idea that would make for less frustration and fewer questions about this on the boards.

Speaking of which, I thought the trigger level was 400 posts...
 
pubwvj said:
This is a good idea that would make for less frustration and fewer questions about this on the boards.

Speaking of which, I thought the trigger level was 400 posts...
Click to expand...


nope always been 500, but as edesign pointed out, it might me more of a headache than its worth
 
PlaceofDis said:
nope always been 500, but as edesign pointed out, it might me more of a headache than its worth
Click to expand...

I agree. And further to that, MR would still be inundated with newbies asking "Where's my avatar?" no matter how you spell it out, bold it and highlight it. You can never completely foolproof something. ;)

Not a bad suggestion, but as edesignuk said (and you echoed), tricky to implement, and as a result, I'm not sure if it's worth it in the end....
 
Just to let everyone know, it would be pretty easy to make it state that you need 500 posts, all you would need to do is either

1. change the phrase in the admincp
2. change the template in the admincp

Pretty easy stuff, just have to find it ^^

*goes to find out where it is on own site*
 
That'll only encourage them to spam to get to 500.

It took me 12 days to get to avatar status.
 
found out where it was, pretty easy :p its in the modifyavatar template

attached is what it could look like
 

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Wow, you have 1381 private messages? I just got 1. :(
 

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Lacero said:
That'll only encourage them to spam to get to 500.

It took me 12 days to get to avatar status.
Click to expand...

So basically you're saying you didn't need any encouragement to make 40 posts/day? :p ;) :cool:

Joking aside, I remember you didn't even actually have an avatar for the longest time, so it's obvious that wasn't a motivator for you. :)
 
eva01 said:
I would have no problem with helping out with some of the template needs on the site, all they have to do is ask :p
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Just PM one of the Mods and make them aware of your offer - edesignuk might be a good place to start. :)
 
Even if have it on the screen in bright neon, shout at them about the 500 post limit until they cry, or tattoo it on their ass -- we will still have newbies complaining that they cannot upload their tar.

People tend to read the directions last...
 
Sun Baked said:
Even if have it on the screen in bright neon, shout at them about the 500 post limit until they cry, or tattoo it on their ass -- we will still have newbies complaining that they cannot upload their tar.
Click to expand...

So...which files do we need to change to do that? I'm liking the idea of Hal shouting, "No 'tar till you reach 500 posts, now drop and give me 20" until somebody cries...:eek: :p
 
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