Don Lashier
New member
Any consideration to enabling avatars? I find it rather enlightening to view actual images of other posters. IMO should be restricted to actual images rather than goofball cartoons.
- DL
- DL
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Welcome to the new site. Here's a thread about the update where you can post your feedback, ask questions or spot those nasty bugs!
Avatars
- Thread starter Don Lashier
- Start date
nicolas claris
OPF Co-founder/Administrator
Bonjour Don
To say the truth we are not so "warm" about avatars, you may be right about what they should be (actual images or portrait could be "enlighting" but it would be really harsh to control (look on some other forums, how awfull some avatars can be...), for now, we have enough work (I mean Asher) to deal with pseudonysms instead of real names...
Hope you understand
To say the truth we are not so "warm" about avatars, you may be right about what they should be (actual images or portrait could be "enlighting" but it would be really harsh to control (look on some other forums, how awfull some avatars can be...), for now, we have enough work (I mean Asher) to deal with pseudonysms instead of real names...
Hope you understand
From wikipedia
I think it would be a useful feature, if traffic increases here, but the predefined icons are pretty useless. Smilies are needed first, imnsho.
Best wishes,
Ray
The idea is to be able to quickly identify a subscriber, so icon/cartoon type grapphics are required, not photo realism. (at low resolution, all faces look the same!)
I think it would be a useful feature, if traffic increases here, but the predefined icons are pretty useless. Smilies are needed first, imnsho.
Best wishes,
Ray
Harvey Moore
New member
From Nicolas Claris "how awfull some avatars can be..."
To adapt an old adage, "awfull, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder"
The avatar I use on other forums is a subdued front end shot of my Jeep Wrangler. To me it is a symbol of my break to freedom from a situation I was once in. It would offend nobody.
Avatars are a little piece of insight to poster, I would like to see them used here.
To adapt an old adage, "awfull, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder"
The avatar I use on other forums is a subdued front end shot of my Jeep Wrangler. To me it is a symbol of my break to freedom from a situation I was once in. It would offend nobody.
Avatars are a little piece of insight to poster, I would like to see them used here.
nicolas claris
OPF Co-founder/Administrator
Hopefully we *all* have our real name for that ;-)Ray West said:
Hi Nicolas,
You have to read text, but for a unique avatar a 'glance' will suffice. A bit like icons on a MAC, as opposed to, say, dr-dos (a sort of text based multi-tasking PC os, iirc). An avatar communicates information quickly, since it uses shape and colour. In the same way, a single short 'nick name', that is sort of banned on this site, allows quicker thread browsing than full names, in particular if you are on first name terms with the author.
e.g. If another Nicolas was in this thread, then I would have to use 'Nicolas Claris', making a more formal address necessary, whereas if you were Nik22, say, then that would be quicker.
(Soon we will be arguing about how many angels can stand on a pin!) Maybe we use bar codes....
Best wishes,
Ray
You have to read text, but for a unique avatar a 'glance' will suffice. A bit like icons on a MAC, as opposed to, say, dr-dos (a sort of text based multi-tasking PC os, iirc). An avatar communicates information quickly, since it uses shape and colour. In the same way, a single short 'nick name', that is sort of banned on this site, allows quicker thread browsing than full names, in particular if you are on first name terms with the author.
e.g. If another Nicolas was in this thread, then I would have to use 'Nicolas Claris', making a more formal address necessary, whereas if you were Nik22, say, then that would be quicker.
(Soon we will be arguing about how many angels can stand on a pin!) Maybe we use bar codes....
Best wishes,
Ray
nicolas claris
OPF Co-founder/Administrator
Ray
as consultant in marketing and advertising for years, I know the advantages of graphics, logos etc.
Our wish with Asher and Michael is to keep that forum as pro as possible.
We NEED to have full and real names for the trustness and the seriousness of all persons and posts (i.e. sales but also advises given.... "who's this guy that makes suggestions to me?") ifyou can easily check his/herwebsite, if he/she is identified with real names then I know to whom I speak (who is Nick3265?).
This deals also with avatars, don't make me cry, to read, say "Don Asher Kelman" (hey not bad ;-) you don't have time to count time spent to read it...
Also I don't wish to have Asher or me losing time to moderate/check avatars aspects.
Yes I've seen some on other forums that should me removed (political banners, sexual "things", racism etc.)
So, unless Asher puts his gun on my head I will be against avatars!
FYI:
I will be out of forums from tomorrow until August 21st.
Have all good summer time (well for those that are not downunder!)
as consultant in marketing and advertising for years, I know the advantages of graphics, logos etc.
Our wish with Asher and Michael is to keep that forum as pro as possible.
We NEED to have full and real names for the trustness and the seriousness of all persons and posts (i.e. sales but also advises given.... "who's this guy that makes suggestions to me?") ifyou can easily check his/herwebsite, if he/she is identified with real names then I know to whom I speak (who is Nick3265?).
This deals also with avatars, don't make me cry, to read, say "Don Asher Kelman" (hey not bad ;-) you don't have time to count time spent to read it...
Also I don't wish to have Asher or me losing time to moderate/check avatars aspects.
Yes I've seen some on other forums that should me removed (political banners, sexual "things", racism etc.)
So, unless Asher puts his gun on my head I will be against avatars!
FYI:
I will be out of forums from tomorrow until August 21st.
Have all good summer time (well for those that are not downunder!)
Don Lashier
New member
This reminds me of a conversation I had decades ago with a kid in Mexico City after a climbing expedition (who wanted to polish my roughout climbing boots):Nicolas Claris said:
- kid: cómo sea llamó
- me: me llaman Don
- kid : Don quién
At this point I pulled out my wallet and showed him my driver's license, and he said
- kid: ahhh! Donaldo!
- me: si!
Well, I can understand this, but for some reason I find it much more personable to see actually see the person I'm conversing with.
- DL
Hi Nicolas,
Just when I wasd ready to dig in for a good argument, you say you are away for three weeks...
If its a holiday, have a nice one. If its business, then hope it pays well....
two things
1) 'pro' does that mean dull, boring, formal?
2) What is important, the message or the messenger?
Best wishes,
Ray
Just when I wasd ready to dig in for a good argument, you say you are away for three weeks...
If its a holiday, have a nice one. If its business, then hope it pays well....
two things
1) 'pro' does that mean dull, boring, formal?
2) What is important, the message or the messenger?
Best wishes,
Ray
Gary Ayala
New member
For what worth it may be ... if I had my way, Avatars. Ray is right, Pro and dull does not need to be in the same sentance. Once again, maybe avatars could be reserved for those who participate, after a certain number of posts, one is allowed the privilege of an avatar. Perhaps a few of the more "trusted" subscribers could be roped together into a committee for avatar review and approval. But then my idea probably would be politically correct as it places people in different classes based not upon quality of posts but quantity. Wonder what MG would say about this?
Bottom line, avatars would be nice, but not a big deal one way or the other.
Bottom line, avatars would be nice, but not a big deal one way or the other.
Nikolai Sklobovsky
New member
I want my Avatars!!!
It makes looking at the posts soooo much easier, since you can instantly tell a friend from ... another friend
I'm OK with either cartoons or actual pics (or both) - after all you can have a picture of your pinkie
Also - what's up with the lack of smilies? Is there a list or something?
It makes looking at the posts soooo much easier, since you can instantly tell a friend from ... another friend
I'm OK with either cartoons or actual pics (or both) - after all you can have a picture of your pinkie
Also - what's up with the lack of smilies? Is there a list or something?
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Hi Nikolai,
Let's keep this discussion going and see how people feel.. The policy, I believe was to have smilies in the Layback Cafe, since that is what it is supposed to be!
Asher
Let's keep this discussion going and see how people feel.. The policy, I believe was to have smilies in the Layback Cafe, since that is what it is supposed to be!
Asher
Nikolai Sklobovsky
New member
Asher,
why don't simply turn them on and see what happens? How much damage can it be? If worst comes to worst, you can always turn them back off..
Come on, man, as it's being said, "being pro does not mean being boring"....
Cheers!
PS
And do you really think smilies can hurt?? Seems like a very artificial limitation to me... I would understand if the forum software didn't support them, but just turning the option on?
Bugs me...
All the best
why don't simply turn them on and see what happens? How much damage can it be? If worst comes to worst, you can always turn them back off..
Come on, man, as it's being said, "being pro does not mean being boring"....
Cheers!
PS
And do you really think smilies can hurt?? Seems like a very artificial limitation to me... I would understand if the forum software didn't support them, but just turning the option on?
Bugs me...
All the best
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Nikolai,
There is a large tarantula guarding the smilies
Asher
There is a large tarantula guarding the smilies
Asher
Don Lashier
New member
Asher Kelman said:
Smack it! ;0)
- DL
Don Lashier
New member
And while you're at it, smack the guy down who shortened the edit window!
- DL
- DL
Martin McLean
New member
Well, while we're at it. What's up with this New Member title under our names. Most forums let you edit it. Will I always be a new member? Will I ever grow up to be a Senior Member? Is it an age thing? Will I become a Senior Member when I turn 65? Can I earn Senior Membership? Can I buy one? How pro do I look with New Member stuck under my name? More or less pro than if I put a smilie at the end of my post? }
My bad, please don't ban me. Only having a little fun. Had a really long night.
G-day all,
-M-
}My bad, please don't ban me. Only having a little fun. Had a really long night.
G-day all,
-M-
Martin McLean
New member
Thanks Ray, for clearing that little matter up for me. Been having a hard time sleeping over it. Now I can rest easy, knowing all is well at OPF.
Only 88 more to go...
Only 88 more to go...
Nikolai Sklobovsky
New member
Thanks a bunch, Ray!
Sooo, Asher, waddayasay, can we have our smilies now? ;-)
Ray West said:
Sooo, Asher, waddayasay, can we have our smilies now? ;-)
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Don Lashier said:
Hi Don,
I tried to smack it, but it turned out to be a hologram projected by a miniature male martian with a huge gun!
Oh, smack myself! How could you say that! I'm relaxed, layback watching a humming bird fly past dragon flies.
My beer is cold. Sam Phillips is singing "Fan Dance"
http://georgegraham.com/reviews/samphil.html
and I havn't shaved for two days and love life!
Now, on the edit time, how much do you need?
Asher
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Ray West said:
With your spelling, (and don't check mine), are you trying to demonstrate the basis for your status? Don't sell yourself short, Ray!
Some of your posts have indeed been erudite!
The "Senior Member" was meant to be for Professional Photographers but it turned out to be be so difficult as we have already invest a huge amount of time keeping out scammers, spammers and sordid salesman. With a lot of people giving pseudonyms and no website, identifying the bad apples listed above became more essential than classifying photographers by expertise.
The current method of going from New to Senior is not refined. However, it does at least reflect activity. A torrent of dumb-ass posts, will be tracked to its source and he will be self-exposed and whipped. He will have to sleep with 70 virgin pit bulls with rabies!
They’ll get him, one way or another!
Asher
Mike Spinak
pro member
Personally, I prefer no avatars. I know that some people say that avatars help them recognize members, but the opposite is true for me. I find it much easier to recognize and remember people by writing style and name than by avatar. Avatars break up the text in a way that keeps yanking me into another kind of neural mode, making it harder for me to follow the written content of a discussion.
Mike
www.mikespinak.com
Mike
www.mikespinak.com
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Just to let you know guys, an aweful lot of work, more than I imagined, goes into just making sure really bad folk dont mess up the forum. I just found several again who are actually total trouble.
At present we have something trustworthy, friendly and with a high signal to noise ratio. We're trying to make sure we have a quality community.
I know I sound too serious sometimes, but one can only have fun, enjoyment and the comfort to exchange views and criticism when we are with people we can trust and respect.
The most important thing is for us to share photography, experience with images, files, ideas, new appraches, locations, equipment choices, issues and reviews and so forth.
This is not to push aside ideas for extra user friendliness.
However, just for example if you send enough photographs to me w84u @ mac.com with user rights for OPF gallery and threads, then we'll have real fun.
http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=700
If you have an inexpensive mobile way of one-light portraits or a tip on optimizing the tones and hues of clouds, doing point of service printing at a wedding and so forth, then share that.
Even tricks for keeping track of your CF cards or knowing what someone means when they ask for a headshot or a portrait.
Still feedback on avatars and smilies is good. If it fits in with our future design update, then fine. So far, we're in summer, the others are out and I'm just listing ideas that come in.
The only change I have made is to equalize deletion policy. The OPF team doesn't delete/cut edit away professional posts and ruin a user's input and everyone's experience.
Now it's the same for the user. The chain of conversation and sense in the thread is kept intact!
Still, mistakes can be promptly corrected, just PM me!
Asher
At present we have something trustworthy, friendly and with a high signal to noise ratio. We're trying to make sure we have a quality community.
I know I sound too serious sometimes, but one can only have fun, enjoyment and the comfort to exchange views and criticism when we are with people we can trust and respect.
The most important thing is for us to share photography, experience with images, files, ideas, new appraches, locations, equipment choices, issues and reviews and so forth.
This is not to push aside ideas for extra user friendliness.
However, just for example if you send enough photographs to me w84u @ mac.com with user rights for OPF gallery and threads, then we'll have real fun.
http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=700
If you have an inexpensive mobile way of one-light portraits or a tip on optimizing the tones and hues of clouds, doing point of service printing at a wedding and so forth, then share that.
Even tricks for keeping track of your CF cards or knowing what someone means when they ask for a headshot or a portrait.
Still feedback on avatars and smilies is good. If it fits in with our future design update, then fine. So far, we're in summer, the others are out and I'm just listing ideas that come in.
The only change I have made is to equalize deletion policy. The OPF team doesn't delete/cut edit away professional posts and ruin a user's input and everyone's experience.
Now it's the same for the user. The chain of conversation and sense in the thread is kept intact!
Still, mistakes can be promptly corrected, just PM me!
Asher
Last edited:
Kathy Rappaport
pro member
I like avatars also.
One reason I like them is that it does put a human-ness to the post.
Second, lets say I were to meet Nik (which I did today) to go shooting. I might have recognized him (of course having a bunch of gear, holding a tripod, with a camera around your neck is helpful) but it would have lent some "warmth" to our meeting.
If there is a tarantula around here, please point it out to me while I get my macro lens.
FWIW
One reason I like them is that it does put a human-ness to the post.
Second, lets say I were to meet Nik (which I did today) to go shooting. I might have recognized him (of course having a bunch of gear, holding a tripod, with a camera around your neck is helpful) but it would have lent some "warmth" to our meeting.
If there is a tarantula around here, please point it out to me while I get my macro lens.
FWIW
Last edited:
Dierk Haasis
pro member
I am still all for what in Internet terms is called an 'avatar' - it need not be some more or less inventive self-portrait, you know, the kind encountered all over the Net proclaiming "I am Supermann!", actually telling eveyone the poster's an idiot with a troublesome childhood.
We could simply impose one rule for the small thumbnail beside a post: It has to be a rendition of oneself one would not be ashamed of to show the parents-in-law or the next employer. My own at photo-i would be an example.
We could simply impose one rule for the small thumbnail beside a post: It has to be a rendition of oneself one would not be ashamed of to show the parents-in-law or the next employer. My own at photo-i would be an example.