Put a Face on it - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/26/2004 08:52:02 AM · #1

When I participate in the forums especially, I like to know a little about who I am responding to, so if I haven't already, I usually visit your profile.

Given this virtual world, I think these forums would become even more personable if they had avatars to the left of the messages--usually there's a lot of space under the name. Many online forum systems support avatars.

Now that being said, I would like to also encourage individuals to put their photo in their profile. I do like to associate a face to a name. As I would encourage with the Avatars, I encourage people to use a real photo of themselves, where there face is actually visible. Pitsaman, if you can forgive me for using you as an example, to me you are a statue. It's cool, and I can respect that if that's what you want to look like to us, but I'd rather put a face to the names.

I know there have been many "self portrait" threads, but for day to day use, when I see a message from someone, the place you go is to their profile.

Maybe I'm just to image oriented, but of course as avid photographers, aren't we all?

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

03/26/2004 08:59:03 AM · #2

The only downside to personal avatar images next to names for each post is that this adds considerably to page load times for dial up users.

I agree that it's nice to see profiles with images, but more so, for me, is the pleasure of encountering a bio telling me about the person, their job, their interests etc.

Koriyama

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

03/26/2004 10:52:14 AM · #3

Given my ugly mug, I'm happier behind the camera than in front.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/26/2004 10:58:18 AM · #4

Originally posted by Koriyama:

Given my ugly mug, I'm happier behind the camera than in front.

Yeah, I see what ya mean! ;)

No, just kidding. Personally, I think it is a great idea, but I also have a high-speed connection, and those without would have a real tough time loading up a page with a whole bunch of avatars.

tyt2000

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

03/26/2004 11:01:50 AM · #5

Another good idea would be to place your pointer over the person's name and have his photo pop-up, like a rollover/java script thing.

03/26/2004 11:07:17 AM · #6

Avatars usually have a size restriction. They can be small, like this one, which is 111x160 and is only 3KB in size, yet still be quite viewable (except for my ugly mug):

Or even smaller: This one is 74x107 and is 2KB

Or smaller still: This one is 50x72 and is 1KB

Message edited by author 2004-03-26 11:11:55.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/26/2004 11:11:30 AM · #7

I'm all for it, as long as they are easy to strip out so I don't have to see them :)

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/26/2004 11:12:52 AM · #8

Originally posted by Gordon:

I'm all for it, as long as they are easy to strip out so I don't have to see them :)

Yes, good idea. We could us an option like the "don't show signature" option...

omnibus

Pentax *ist DL

03/26/2004 11:15:14 AM · #9

One of the things I really like about DPC is the clean, minimalist look. I think that would be spoiled by avatars. Maybe they could be restricted to jpegs only, that would at least keep the animated ones out.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

03/26/2004 11:20:06 AM · #10

Originally posted by omnibus:

Yes, I don't like the animated ones either. My interest was putting a face on DPC members, not cartoons...

hsteg

Fujifilm X-T20

03/26/2004 11:24:44 AM · #11

my profile pic is homer simpson... lol

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/26/2004 11:43:21 AM · #12

I would be all for it if

a) the site restricted them to very very small image file sizes and not too large on actual size either

b) we had the choice in our profiles to see them or not (according to preference/ connection speed and bandwidth etc)

c) animated images were not permitted

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/26/2004 12:51:32 PM · #13

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Given this virtual world, I think these forums would become even more personable if they had avatars to the left of the messages--usually there's a lot of space under the name.

I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me, so if it was implemented without any sort of "content rules", I'd prefer to have a way to turn them off. Otherwise they would be a free-for-all like the profile pictures are (where again, I personally prefer to see an actual pic of the photographer, and not a cartoon, political statement, etc.)

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/26/2004 12:54:01 PM · #14

Originally posted by EddyG:

Originally posted by nshapiro:
Given this virtual world, I think these forums would become even more personable if they had avatars to the left of the messages--usually there's a lot of space under the name.

I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me, so if it was implemented without any sort of "content rules", I'd prefer to have a way to turn them off. Otherwise they would be a free-for-all like the profile pictures are (where again, I personally prefer to see an actual pic of the photographer, and not a cartoon, political statement, etc.)

I believe you hit the nail on the head there Eddy. Cartoon faces (no offense there hsteg) in my opinion are not needed. The avatars would be a cool addition if they HAD to be a picture of yourself AND it could be turned off. Sounds like a dandy plan to me!

daisy77

Nikon D70

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX

03/26/2004 02:09:06 PM · #15

i like the avatar idea...helps identify familiar folks in threads. i agree: no cartoons (not all that useful; tho, homer simpson is pretty irresistable!) and still pics only.

Message edited by author 2004-03-26 14:11:17.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/26/2004 06:08:08 PM · #16

Originally posted by EddyG:

I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me...

Agree 100%

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/26/2004 06:20:23 PM · #17

would they be screened so only portraits would be allowed?

kellian

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/26/2004 06:25:11 PM · #18

Originally posted by Kavey:

I agree with this whole-heartedly.
People can use the signature blocks for photos of themselves too, if I'm not mistaken...

MadMordegon

03/26/2004 06:32:23 PM · #19

Originally posted by Kavey:

that sounds pretty good, along w/ the possiblity of a java script rollover as to provide quicker loading.

ScottK

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/26/2004 06:33:32 PM · #20

Originally posted by Kavey:

Originally posted by EddyG:
I would only support the idea if the avatars were actual photographs of the person. Having cute little cartoon "avatars" would be a big distraction for me...

Agree 100%

I agree in principle, but policing would be a pain. How do you prove that the picture posted, though a picture of a person, is really you? How much of yourself do you have to show to pass the test - is a closeup of your eye enough, half your face with the other half covered by a camera, full body, landscape with you as a dot in the distance? If you make a rule, then it has to be enforced, or people start getting testy. (Don't get me started on the "rant" forum "rule"...) :)

jamijc

03/26/2004 06:41:27 PM · #21

Rules from another forum I frequent:

Avatars: These are small photos that appear under your name. The purpose of Avatars on this board is so that people can put a face to who they are conversing with. It also helps to identify each other when we get together for gatherings. You don't have to use an Avatar if you do not wish to, but if you do, you MUST use a recent photo of yourself, a headshot showing your face. It should be a recognizable likeness of you and your face should not be obscured. It should be clear enough for people to see. In the case of a Moderator, they need to stand out more than a regular user (Thus the orange "Moderator" tag around our Avatars).

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/26/2004 08:11:05 PM · #22

1. To simplify implementation, we could first make the rule apply to profile photos (i.e. a "real" one or none), and then have an "activate avatar" option in one's preferences. The site can then create a standard "thumbnail" of your profile photo.

2.I think users should have the option to suppress the display to conserve bandwidth.

3. It would seem to be a logical location to put the "reply-to" link which would generate a PM popup.