avatar

[spybotsandra]

i love the new avatars *g*
specially the tux flower on page 22 *haha*

[md usa spybot fan]

tashi:

I had the impression md usa spybot fan was making a joke.

I was joking. As I said: Great job!!!

[Synetech]

There are also other matters at hand to address, rather than spending one's day checking each new member's avatar to make sure it is appropiate for a family forum.

Appropriateness is nothing compared to guarding against all the exploits and vulnerabilities in media files these days. I figured that was the primary reason for no custom avatars.

Perhaps a compromise could be that a user could upload an avatar if they have been registered for some predetermine amount of time coupled with a minimum of some predetermined number of posts: sort of a way to ensure that the person is a valid member of the community and likely trustworthy enough not to post a porn or exploit avatar. Plus, that way it would drastically cut down the number of avatars to be checked to a feasible amount. (Would be even easier if there were some kind of scanner that can check a pic for vulnerabilities.)

[wildhorseAnnie]

One wonders. . . .would those that would use "inappropriate" avatars . .spend their time cleaning up computer issues?

Me thinks not . .

They spend their time on other less productive avenues . .

[blues]

One wonders. . . .would those that would use "inappropriate" avatars . .spend their time cleaning up computer issues?

Me thinks not . .

They spend their time on other less productive avenues . .

i have yet to see an inappropriate avatar on this forum, have you seen one on this forum?

[Synetech]

i have yet to see an inappropriate avatar on this forum, have you seen one on this forum?

That’s probably because of the restrictions. If you have to invest heavily before being allowed to do something, then you will probably not do it bad when given the opportunity.

[Mark 42]

How about allowing a user to submit an image (like an animated .gif) to a
moderator, and the moderator would put it someplace on a server, and then
give the user the URL for it... and then the system could allow use of a custom
avatar as long as the url of the avatar is part of that server (any other
URL would return a message saying that custom avatars have to be
submitted to the moderator).

Or allow users to submit an image, and a moderator could set it as their avatar.

I know it's a lot of trouble for moderators, but maybe someone who doesn't feel
qualified to be an administrator / helper for other things would like to take on
the somewhat straightforward task of being the Avatar "go-to" person?

I gotta try something here... can I post an image in a message... I'm going to
see if my Avatar will post as an image... here goes...

[Mark 42]

I guess so.

I don't see how avatars would be much different.

If someone posted an inappropriate one, I'm sure the admin would
be noted by whoever thought it offensive... so I doubt that is the
issue.

But an image file (if only .jpg and .gif extensions were allowed) should
not be able to cause a security risk AFAIK, so... I say give it a try.

I know, it ain't my forum, but there is something personal about having
an avatar, especially if you use it in a lot of places and are known by it.
So I'm just offering my opinions as food for thought & discussion (& ridicule?).

[tashi]

Hello,

I know it's a lot of trouble for moderators,

Indeed.

but maybe someone who doesn't feel qualified to be an administrator / helper for other things would like to take onthe somewhat straightforward task of being the Avatar "go-to" person?

Sorry, it does not work like that.

[Mark 42]

No biggie... it'd be nice, but I can live w/o it.