Avatar Changes

[asdfasdfasdfsdf]

(not sure if i am the only one doing this)
whenever i am posting and interacting with others.. i kind of remember how each person responds and build a perceived personality of them.
i havent had any issues with that part - its actually fun to do..
but i hardly ever pay attention to peoples actual names, mostly just the avatar...
so.. when people change their avatar.. im always thinking "are you new here?"
and the personality i had once built for their old avatar is gone forever :/.
anyone else have this issue?

 

[nemo]

I get what you're saying. I do that too, sort of. Not with avatars, but with the names. Name changes are less common than avatar changes but they still disorientate me a bit, since the old name will have all these...connotations(?) attached with them, and the new name won't, and that sort of messes with my mind. I'm sure you're not the only one with this thing though!

 

[Deleted member 1424]

Haha, my habits must drive you nuts then.

 

[Minuend]

Yes, I have problems differentiating between you, Adaire, and another person whose username starts with A, who I can't remember right now. Actually, most active users starting with the same first letter is hard to tell apart. Cogwolf and Cognisant too. And in the beginning; Da Blob and NoID10ts (they both had blue avatars).

I'm not good at telling people apart in RL either. If two persons are similar in personality and, say, hair color, I can't tell them apart before I've seen them a lot.

 

[sagewolf]

so.. when people change their avatar.. im always thinking "are you new here?"
and the personality i had once built for their old avatar is gone forever :/.

You'll like me, then. Or,at the least, I won't confuse you. I haven't changed my avatar since i picked it, and I behave similarly on other fora I frequent--mainly because I have the same problem to a milder degree. I just get a little disoriented: I don't recognise the person for a while, or I miss the old avatar if I thought it was particularly cool. I soon get used to the new avatar, although with some people, it's an exercise in futility...

 

[Cavallier]

I tend to have the same issues but I've been around long enough now that I'm getting better with names. I do have to check multiple times though to see if a post is Auburn or Adair though. TOTALLY different people with different voices and for some reason I get them mixed up if they change their avatars. I'll sit there for 10 minutes thinking to myself that I never would have thought Auburn would say such a thing only to finally realize it's Adaire or vise versa. Gah.

 

[Auburn]

I save most all of your avatars on my hard-drive...
That way when you change them, I still have them as a memory..

 

[sagewolf]

I save all of your avatars on my hard-drive...
That way when you change them, I still have them as a memory..

I do that too, although only with ones I think are cool. They're on my computer, though, not the tiny one I'm using now, so I don't have them ATM. *sniff*

Just remembered something: I also tend to recognise people by their signatures, if they have them, because this screen is so small: I scroll over so I can only see the block of text. I did it in the past, too, though. Dunno why.

 

[KazeCraven]

Huh. On the forum I used to be most active on, I'd know a select few names really well, and their avatar changes wouldn't confuse me at all (though I'd notice right away that they've changed). If people could change their names, that would really confuse me.

This reminds me of a girl at my high school who would look for people by their shirts. I mean, it's one thing if someone says, "Hey, I'm going to be wearing a blue sweater," but she would often look for a certain shirt that someone was wearing yesterday and forget that it probably had changed for today.

 

[asdfasdfasdfsdf]

Haha, my habits must drive you nuts then.

heh, who are you?
have i seen you before?

 

[Ermine]

Yeah, I definitely use people's avatars to visualise what they might look like IRL, with the exception of those who have posted in the youtube thread, with the exception of Auburn. For some reason I keep imagining you as a purple somber looking anime person though that isn't true. For example, sniktawekim is a cyber-ant (I know what it really is, but it looks like an ant to me), cognisant is a cyborg, cavallier is a mutated rat turned into a knight, nemo is a cow, Da Blob is a blobby surrealistic looking buddha (just as a blobbly looking sage, not connected to buddhism). I get weird impressions from people's avatars, and I bet I've given people some weird impressions with mine. And Melkor has to be either Sephiroth or Cloud. Maybe both at once.

 

[Auburn]

*smiles* yay! I honestly like that so much better ermine. ^^
*puts old avatar back for nostalgia's sake*

The reason I didn't want to post my video has a lot to do with not wanting to ruin the mental images those here have of me. The image of myself that I have carefully constructed for you all is, to me, sincerely more accurate of who I am internally, than what physical appearance reveals of me. To me, my body is irrelevant to "who I truly am" anyhow, and so I prefer to remain unknown as far as my physical form - and instead let my mind reveal who I am.

I let those who posted videos see me simply because I thought it was only fair considering they went through the trouble/bravery of revealing themselves to us also.

 

[flow]

This is exactly why I change my avatar randomly to entirely different images that in no way reflect the previous one. Although I must admit RT caught me in a pattern of black and white's for a time.. hmmm, I must keep you people on your toes. This reminds me, I'm do for change.

 

[Xel]

I change my avatar on a whim. I would like to find an avatar that was perfect, that I think could stand in for me and become my online face. But I get bored easily. I was in the mood for cute Cthulhu.

 

[asdfasdfasdfsdf]

This is exactly why I change my avatar randomly to entirely different images that in no way reflect the previous one. Although I must admit RT caught me in a pattern of black and white's for a time.. hmmm, I must keep you people on your toes. This reminds me, I'm do for change.

sorry flow, but for some reason your name stuck.
if i remember correctly.. when i joined you had the avatar of the guy smoking.

 

[Dormouse]

The changing of avatars definetly throws me off, as do people with similar sounding user names. First letters that are the same paired with an equal amount of syllables always confuses me.

As for my own avatar, I feel like a different person once I change it, so I often switch it after I've said something stupid.

 

[Minuend]

This is exactly why I change my avatar randomly to entirely different images that in no way reflect the previous one. Although I must admit RT caught me in a pattern of black and white's for a time.. hmmm, I must keep you people on your toes. This reminds me, I'm do for change.

Oddly enough, I always remember you, flow. Maybe it's the simplicity of your name.

 

[shoeless]

i was part of a forum where for a period of time, EVERY SINGLE MEMBER changed their avatar to a picture of House in support of a member who had been unfairly banned...

(that member was actually me but thats besides the point)

when i came back it was absolutely mind-boggling to me.

 

[Minuend]

That sounds kinda cool, everyone having avatars from the same theme (animals, dinosaurs, flowers, philosophers, mathematicians, cats....) I think it would in some way show a clearer picture of how we differ from one another. It would be interesting.

 

[Xel]

That sounds kinda cool, everyone having avatars from the same theme (animals, dinosaurs, flowers, philosophers, mathematicians, cats....) I think it would in some way show a clearer picture of how we differ from one another. It would be interesting.

That seems like a good idea! There should be themed days here on the forum. It would be optional for everybody so some might not change and some would rebel (like a person having a ninja avatar on pirate day). It would be awesome to see what everybody chose. Plus it would make life around the forum more interesting.

Can we do it intpforum?Can we do it pleaaaaaase?

 

[Claverhouse]

Anyone can do it; presumably someone might care to volunteer for the unofficial post of co-ordinator to organise such days...





On the main point of the OP I personally don't care for frequent, or any, changes apart from those cases where an awful avatar was first choice --- and it can get confusing when users have identity issues; however. people ought to be free to do what they want.


I did however try to persuade Ragnar to implement an Avatar History hack; but it turned out that none exists: as here suggested at vb.com, which proves others have desired such a feature.

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?187378

Basically it would mean each post retains the avatar with which it was posted originally, since theoretically the databases stores these things unless deleted --- which would be far nicer. It may be noted that one replier simply boasts that that he knows how it can be done, but declines to provide details. Donch'ya love the power of the Internet ?



Claverhouse




PS:

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/forum.php is worth checking out merely to see vBulletin 4 in action. It's rather... busy looking.

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/index.php has wisely kept to the 3.x.x series...


PPS:

I find your present little Cthulhu charming.

 

[sagewolf]

Yeah, I definitely use people's avatars to visualise what they might look like IRL, with the exception of those who have posted in the youtube thread, with the exception of Auburn. For some reason I keep imagining you as a purple somber looking anime person though that isn't true. For example, sniktawekim is a cyber-ant (I know what it really is, but it looks like an ant to me), cognisant is a cyborg, cavallier is a mutated rat turned into a knight, nemo is a cow, Da Blob is a blobby surrealistic looking buddha (just as a blobbly looking sage, not connected to buddhism). I get weird impressions from people's avatars, and I bet I've given people some weird impressions with mine. And Melkor has to be either Sephiroth or Cloud. Maybe both at once.

And you're a pair of sunglasses. I couldn't think of Auburn without picturing the purple shadow-face either (yay, it's back!) Decaf is still a goofy scientist, AI is that space thing that he had, and cryptonia is a happy L. Melkor is a malignant combination of all the bishonen ever envisioned in this universe, although he can also shed his flesh and become a malignant demonic skeleton as he so wishes. Maybe the pretty boy act is just a hologram, actually... *thinks*

...Actually, if I just glance quickly at Ermine's avatar, I see a caramel flan. Sorry, Ermine. Now you're a dessert.

 

[Ermine]

Where's the flan? I'm kind of seeing the color, but not the shape.

 

[Jesin]

Hmm, I should probably change my avatar sometime. I don't think this LWSS really reflects me that much anymore.

On the other hand, I'm not quite sure what would.

 

[Ermine]

My avatar doesn't really describe me either. I just use whatever photography I've done in the past few months.

 

[Wish]

My avatar has just been a progression of photoshop edits of what was once the album cover of The Bends.. so I guess in someway mine has stayed consistent?

I would definitely be down for a themed avatar event, though. Maybe we could start with cat week?

 

[Polaris]

Yay, cats

 

[Wish]

Of course you would have to pick a new cat picture Polaris

 

[Polaris]

Hmmm...how about this one....?

 

[ckm]

Do cartoon cats count? I'm itching to unleash VGCats in all their fury.

 

[Wish]

@Polaris - certainly!

@ckm - certainly! (I mean I would hope so). That being said, I got dibs on Hobbes!

 

[Xel]

I'd be down with cats, but if we do this should we have a official poll?

 

[Deleted member 1424]

Why not use a theme generator?
We could even make it an avatar contest.

edit:
I think we should a theme more specific than cats though.....
ex: Norse mythology , lovecraft, famous serial killers, steam punk, cyberpunk, original avatars (ie no using someone else artwork, photography, etc.), depictions of aliens, fractals and all sorts of other stuff.

 

[Darby]

I had a problem with the avatar/name changes for a long time, and I also do the character building, but now I put a new level on it, past the avatar, past the name, now everyone is this semi-non-existent blob of person (I don't have a better word for it since it doesn't really exist) that I will never meet but is there all the same, obviously if they change both avatar and name, I'm a bit lost for a little bit, and either have to ask, or watch the way they talk, and then I move all the new things on to the old blob I saved for them

 

[Deleted member 1424]

I tend to identify people more by there writing style. This seems the more plausible personality indicator than an avatar, signature or even profile. I've never found an avatar that perfectly 'fit', and I somewhat doubt anyone has. Most people who've done any significant posting I can identify through their 'voice.' Of course some people have more distinctive 'voices' than others. I'm fairly confident I could figure out the identity of any consistent posters without any sort of identification. Flow and Banana Mango are the exception though; they 'sound' very similar to me.

I like to think I'm somewhat known for having an ever-changing and inconsistent avatar. It would feel very weird to pick an avatar and stick with it ( I think my record is only about three weeks or so). In fact I find myself wanting to change my username again too...... I don't think I like being consistent.

Maybe I'll start posting in the 'book antiqua' font, or maybe not.

Anyway I really the idea of a themed avatar contest, and somebody here needs to take the initiative. So I'll make a poll at later time. In the meanwhile PM me any themes you'd like me to include or any ideas you have.

 

[Decaf]

I'm fairly confident I could figure out the identity of any consistent posters without any sort of identification.

Hmm... is it possible to have a thread where all posters show up as anonymous?

(though obviously not anonymous to mods so things don't degenerate)

 

[UppyDownyMouth]

just changed my avatar, feels like the proverbial caterpillar to butterfly seen as my old one was my Myers Briggs INTP results... Personally I think the mental effect of a single image being displayed over and over with your comments is huge. However writing style.... i do a lot of ........ .... ..... as i think, as i read it back it seems to have a better flow in my mind

 

[Claverhouse]

Having thought about it for all of three minutes, I can only see one way that might work --- the problem being that members are necessarily fixed to their names and the insignia attached to each in order to function as users ( a temporary renaming of each member to Anonymous wouldn't work since no duplicates names are allowed by vBulletin, obviously; renaming to Anonymous-1, Anonymous-2, Anonymous-3, Anonymous-4 etc. might work, but the effort involved would be too arduous, particularly as avatars and sigs would have to be voided, then restored ). The only thing that might work would be to allow Guest Posting for a specified time, and the participants log off as members and post each as a guest. But that would involve careful planning by members as to when this was implemented and how long, and the subject deliberately chosen beforehand.


Speaking of planning, I am delighted that Adaire has stepped into the breach as Theme Day Co-ordinator.




Claverhouse

 

[Fukyo]

I like the idea of themed avatars and a possible contest coming out of it.



<-- Here's another new one, btw.

 

[Decaf]

I like the idea of themed avatars and a possible contest coming out of it.

Sounds fun. What's the theme?

 

[Wish]

Ninja penguins?

 

[Logician]

I am working on getting a permanent avatar, but i cannot find anything i would like to use, after all, there is nothing in this world i enjoy more than psychological manipulation, and the avatar is one of the key components in creating just the right character representation of me in your mind.

 

[Cegorach]

One may be more likely to find the personification of an individuals self-perceived identity in a compilation of their avatars than in any individual one.

Under normal circumstances I prefer avatars embodying a more dark, sombre and surreal aspect that I find aesthetically intriguing.
However, my current one is spawned from the justified and oft entertaining antagonization of dolphins on IRC, so not necessarily an accurate depiction of how I think.

Either one would need to acquire a massively complicated and individual work of art, or they have a serious lack in depth of character.
Making the constant shift from one avatar to another nearly inevitable.



I would suggest paying closer attention to the usernames and writing styles if it's giving you too much trouble...

I've never had difficulty differentiating between users and tend to watch each new member that arrives until I can ascertain their place on the forum.
So I know of most any user that has joined... although some remain as enigmatic strings of letters rather than developed and unique personae.



If the theme were interesting enough I would consider applying myself to tracking down an appropriate avatar, otherwise I'll just check to see if I have anything saved that is congruous with the theme and participate based on that.
Of course, I may not bother at all. <.<
I doubt I'll much care about a competition in any case.





And yes, lovely avatar as always, Fukkie.

 

[Jesin]

Well, I got a new avatar. I think this one fits a little better.

 

[Fukyo]

It's strange seeing Jesin with a new avatar, the old one kind of merged with the impression of him in my mind, probably because it's the only one I ever saw him use. Still, the new one is also nice.

 

[Ogion]

Ok so maybe i'd participate in some avatar-theming (at least for a while, i might go back to my beloved elfe :P)

Ogion

 

[Chimera]

What conformists; someone mentions avatar change and everyone jumps to throw on something different.

I would find something new too, if I weren't being so lazy...​

 

[Polaris]

Why not use a theme generator?
We could even make it an avatar contest.

edit:
I think we should a theme more specific than cats though.....
ex: Norse mythology , lovecraft, famous serial killers, steam punk, cyberpunk, original avatars (ie no using someone else artwork, photography, etc.), depictions of aliens, fractals and all sorts of other stuff.

I just realised you're Sleipner

 

[Jesin]

What conformists; someone mentions avatar change and everyone jumps to throw on something different. ​

Or procrastinators. I'd been sorta dissatisfied with my old LWSS avatar for a while, and only now got around to finding a new one.

 

[nemo]

I like Adaire's idea of making it more specific, but could we still have a theme that can be left a little bit up to interpretation? It'd be interesting to see how people respond and what they would choose.

I don't think I've changed my avatar, and haven't changed my username, since I joined. Makes me easy to identify I guess! XD All the same, I still don't think anyone knows me. I feel anonymous in a way.