Avatar rule being ignored???

[Kipp Jones]

It seems just from general browsing that the avatar rule is not being enforced now that the majority of people who use an avatar have something other than their picture. Any truth to this?

[greywolf]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5441193#post5441193
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4661668#post4661668 The last time you asked.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4270229#post4270229
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4143547#post4143547

Same old, same old.

[David Bott]

Kipp..Sorry, but nothing has changed and they are removed as we see them and was they are pointed out to us. Always has been this way as you are VERY WELL aware.

Thanks

[GetGray]

Originally posted by Kipp Jones
It seems just from general browsing that the avatar rule is not being enforced now that the majority of people who use an avatar have something other than their picture. Any truth to this? Cool, Discoverd the Avtar cop. I wish I had such a clean slate that avtars on AVS gave me enough heartburn to be compelled to collect enough information and determine that of the 32,000+ members, some with avtars, that the "majority" of those are in violation of "the avtar rule". And then the time to pester our gracious admins that they aren't doing thier job in enforcement. Really I do. Go get em Kipp... :rolleyes:

Many thanks to the AVS guys for all they do, for free, with no complaints whatsoever by me.

[Kipp Jones]

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Have you read the rules and regs??? Apparently not...:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Hornswoggler]

So what is your deal, Kipp?

It looks like you have a personal crusade to rid the forum of illegal avatars... what is your motivation?

Just curious.

[Kipp Jones]

I agree with the rules that David implemented. Being able to see someones pic vs a cartoon and such makes the forum a bit more personable and friendly IMO. I also believe it helps keep the flaming down. I am just surprised that so many disobey the rules. To me it is a matter of respect.

[Hornswoggler]

Originally posted by Kipp Jones
I also believe it helps keep the flaming down.

I like that thought. Too often, flamers don't realize there is an actual "person" on the other end. I see your point.

[David Bott]

WE do what we can. On the up side, when we move to the new software platform we can then remove an image with like 2 clicks when we see it in a post. ;) Right now we need to look up the user in the admin area and then go and remove the image from his profile. (Just a few more steps, but takes longer then two clicks. :))

[Kipp Jones]

Originally posted by David Bott
On the up side, when we move to the new software platform we can then remove an image with like 2 clicks when we see it in a post. ;)

Very encouraging to hear. Thanks for the update. I look forward to the forum becoming even better than it is. It sure is nice to put a face with the discussion.:) :) :)

[sc03979]

I think it's kinda stupid that you can't put whatever avatar you want. Just my opinion. But since this is the best av forum around I abide by the rules and don't post my ugly mug in the forum.

Still wish I could have a pissed off annakin skywalker a la the cartoon network's clone wars as my avatar. Oh well.

[GetGray]

Stupid isn't a term I'd use. But I think an Avatar is like a signature. Something personal, like a username. Some folks prefer to have their pretty smiling face (not talking about you David :D), some prefer their Kids. Some prefer a logo, or even a cartoon. Some like their own art.

Similar to the username rule which at least only recommends one use their real name. I had some character actually look my name up on the internet and CALL me at home from my username being my real name here. Now that guy wasn't a security problem, however he could have been. I can send you to a site that with your name and a guess at where you live you can get a scary amount of information about someone including a satellite photo of their house.

David was kind enough to let me change my userneme to something personal, and more anonymous. With all the high end gear in all our homes posting a roadmap to my house isn't wise. I like being able to tell folks where I'm from but have cut it to just the state for the reasons stated above. I'm actually made some good friends from folks who found me by seeing I'm in TN.

Adding my personal picture is a little like that. I prefer some degreee of anonimity on a world wide public forum. Identy theft is bad enough without posting my full name and picture on a huge forum like this one. But I wish I could use an avatar that wasn't my mugshot.

My opinion is it the avatar should be open, but it's certaintly not something I'm compelled to complain about in either case. If you want passport style photos only, require same and then tell Kipp his needs some zooming. If you want to allow some personalization, let it be colorful and folks will express themselves, often in combination with their username.

Now I understand the rules are created by the owners. And the owners have the right to control the "flavor" of their forum. And I have no beef whatsoever with that, I'm grateful for the well administered site.

But, the common definition of a avatar is something personal and more than a passport mug shot:

"An avatar, named after the Hindu Sanskrit word for a deity in a visible form, is a graphical representation of a human being on the Internet or elsewise in VR. Avatars may be either two or three dimensional. They may also be created either entirely as computer graphics, or else by mapping digital photographs of a real human being onto a virtual 3D model."

See these links for improper avatars per the rule. Some users like to give a hint about their hobby or profession (Santelavision (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=6622)), and aren't following the avatar rule to the letter. Some long-time, well respected members (Michael Grant (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=5448), Cinermax (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=1813)) stretch the rule and have their shot in the pic along with something else (kids, cartoon cutout, etc.). Dan Miller (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=17145), our resident Marantz Rep blows off the rule with his kids only) Ok with me, but a cartoon dosen't bother me. Some are more offensive (ferrethunter (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=7495201) with a dead ferret picture) and are more likely candidates for removal IMO, some don't bother me a bit. There's lots of variations I'd just as soon look at as Kipps pose, some I think are spiffy, some I don't care for but find no offense in them. Some folks have tiny images of themselves with what the'd like their avatar to be. More examples:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=77352
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=75925
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=7450698
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=7454277
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=7428394

I think being able to use a personal avatar make for a more friendly place, not a mug shot: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=2998

If you can't personalize the avatar, whack all the folks who aren't following the letter of the rule. There will be a lot of whacking. Kipps included IMO. But if you allow some personalization, I think you'll find the majority would prefer it. And that would make the forum "better than it is".

Cheers,
Scott

[Kipp Jones]

Boy Scott, sure seems you do not like me, I guess the "Being able to see someones pic vs a cartoon and such makes the forum a bit more personable and friendly" does not apply to you. Oh well...

[GetGray]

No, nothing personal. Really. I obviously don't know anything about you at all, I might like you just fine :D. I just thought the avatar thing was overblown. My apologies if it came across that way, didn't mean for it to. One of the problems with text, limited ways to express intent.

Just offering another perspective on the issue, and to point out so many folks aren't using avatars that fit the rule literally anyway.

Whatch'a use to edit your HD video?

Best,
Scott

[David Bott]

I cleaned up the ones mentioned. AS mentioned, we can not and do not see all images used. At least not yet. ;)

Thanks...I will now close the thread.