Google
Web         Gaudiya Discussions
Gaudiya Discussions Archive » ANNOUNCEMENTS
Relevant announcements of upcoming programs, new publications, new websites and so forth.

Poll On Avatars - Please make your views known



Jagat - Fri, 14 May 2004 16:03:40 +0530
I find that the flashing, overly colorful avatars are an unnecessary distraction from the content of people's messages. I find them inappropriate for this site, which is after all dedicated to reflection on themes associated with ultimate truths. I have no objection to humor, but would prefer that people's "look at me" tendencies be curbed. The desire for individual expression should be kept to the quality of one's postings.

Thank you for voting "yes."
nabadip - Fri, 14 May 2004 16:45:20 +0530
There was a brief exchange of opinions on this thread a while ago

http://www.gaudiyadiscussions.com/index.ph...wtopic=1230&hl=

My vote continues to be: YES
Madhava - Fri, 14 May 2004 17:31:39 +0530
I know that animated gifs can be done very tastefully and become attractive and yet non-distractive peculiarities, and therefore I am not against animated avatars per se. Most of the time they seem to be misused though. Just yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing someone use a 500KB animated gif as his avatara in one forum. That kills modem users.

I certainly am against overly flashy, fast-moving "look at me" avatars. Therefore, "yes" will be a good general policy, and exceptions should be very carefully thought of.
Madhava - Fri, 14 May 2004 17:37:05 +0530
I notice that there seem to be some avatars in use with several members, and that many of the old avatars have never been used. I'll create a new set of avatars today, so you can all pick whichever you like from a broader and better selection.
arekaydee - Fri, 14 May 2004 19:29:00 +0530
Personally speaking, if I ever meet betal_nut and she does not look like Catwoman, I will be slightly disappointed. wink.gif

And for the record, yes, my avatar is really me being a goof in a New Jersey photo booth circa 2000. If people are distracted by it, just let me know.
betal_nut - Fri, 14 May 2004 19:45:27 +0530
QUOTE
And for the record, yes, my avatar is really me being a goof in a New Jersey photo booth circa 2000. If people are distracted by it, just let me know.


I'm distracted by it.
arekaydee - Fri, 14 May 2004 19:57:59 +0530
QUOTE(betal_nut @ May 14 2004, 10:15 AM)
I'm distracted by it.

Say no more.
betal_nut - Fri, 14 May 2004 20:43:38 +0530
I was just joking, Sweetheart. wub.gif
jijaji - Fri, 14 May 2004 21:11:35 +0530
If this is too much I will remove it ya'll..

It does look like me however, I want to stress..!

crying.gif
nabadip - Fri, 14 May 2004 21:21:17 +0530
Before you send it back to where it belongs, can you give me an idea what it is that you wish to express with something as silly as this, other than catching attention?
Gaurasundara - Fri, 14 May 2004 21:21:18 +0530
I voted 'yes' but I don't have an actual problem with animated avatars. I feel that they just distract me from reading the messages, though. Many people tend to write quite a lot and I would like to do justice to it by reading, but the avatars tend to distract my attention and I cannot concentrate.

No offence.
anuraag - Fri, 14 May 2004 21:31:04 +0530
QUOTE(Madhava @ May 14 2004, 12:07 PM)
I notice that there seem to be some avatars in use with several members, and that many of the old avatars have never been used. I'll create a new set of avatars today, so you can all pick whichever you like from a broader and better selection.

Namaste.
Forgive my ignorance, who is the person in your 'avatar' picture? unsure.gif
He/she has a strong resemblance to a live personality I know of,
Susri Raaseshvari devi, a female pracharak didi of JKP mission in Orissa. rolleyes.gif
jijaji - Fri, 14 May 2004 23:05:11 +0530
QUOTE(nabadip @ May 14 2004, 03:51 PM)
Before you send it back to where it belongs, can you give me an idea what it is that you wish to express with something as silly as this, other than catching attention?



Is this better..?

cool.gif
jagannathdas - Sat, 15 May 2004 00:05:55 +0530
I've been thinking of this problem throughout the day, how can we get rid of these ridiculous animated gif's, so I'm delighted that someone has seen the sense to poll the audience. It's not just a problem here but throughout the internet, for gods sake we have Flash, who needs them except for agitated teens?
Advaitadas - Sat, 15 May 2004 00:25:51 +0530
QUOTE
It's not just a problem here but throughout the internet, for gods sake we have Flash, who needs them except for agitated teens?


Middle-aged teens like Sheeva. biggrin.gif
Madhava - Sat, 15 May 2004 00:30:19 +0530
QUOTE(anuraag @ May 14 2004, 04:01 PM)
Namaste.
Forgive my ignorance, who is the person in your 'avatar' picture? unsure.gif
He/she has a strong resemblance to a live personality I know of,
Susri Raaseshvari devi, a female pracharak didi  of JKP mission in Orissa.   rolleyes.gif

That would be Srinivasa Acarya.
anuraag - Sat, 15 May 2004 00:59:01 +0530
Thanks, Madhava.
Yes, the picture also looks like "an embodiment of Gaura-sakti, the energy of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu" indeed.
I have always enjoyed listening to his beautiful 'Shad Goswamyashtakam' kirtan.
Madhava - Sat, 15 May 2004 06:22:32 +0530
I have now updated the avatara-gallery with 30 new avataras. The old avataras can be found in a subfolder in the gallery. To change your avatara or select one for yourself, go to My Control Panel > Edit Avatar Settings.

If somebody has inspirations on new avatars to be added, let me know.
Madhava - Sun, 16 May 2004 04:44:22 +0530
Oh by the way, when you add your own avataras, please try to ensure that the file size is below 10 kb in size. If you really can't figure out how to make a picture smaller, send it to me and I'll upload it for you.

I think we've pretty much reached a consensus here with 16 for and 0 against a reserved policy on animated gifs.
Jagat - Sun, 16 May 2004 04:54:32 +0530
So let's put it in the Forum rules.
Madhava - Sun, 16 May 2004 23:32:18 +0530
QUOTE
6. To maintain the sober mood and layout of The Forums, the visitor shall not either post or otherwise put on display flashy or otherwise distracting images, over-sized and unnecessarily coloursome texts, or other mediums of expression which serve no reasonable purpose in the context of their appearance.

Would that be jargonsome enough?
jagannathdas - Mon, 17 May 2004 23:27:00 +0530
Why not put it to visitors straight? Only still avatars should be used.
I'm also in favour of getting rid of rainbow text.
Madhava - Tue, 18 May 2004 00:21:02 +0530
Spelled it out now.
Madhava - Tue, 18 May 2004 06:07:11 +0530
Images like this should be used with caution. biggrin.gif
Attachment: Image