Any chance of custom avatars for subscribers?

Tallgeese · Apr 6, 2002

Dunno if this has been asked before...but the ability to use custom avatars would be a nice perk for subscribers.
Who knows...might be compelling enough to get more folks to subscribe even.

minendo · Apr 6, 2002

It would be interesting, but I foresee the following:

It won't be happening.

ILikeSprite · Apr 6, 2002

That would be awesome. I would subscribe just for that...........

yiwonder · Apr 6, 2002

It was asked when they started the subscriptions, but was quickly rejected.

Edit:

<< That would be awesome. I would subscribe just for that........... >>

I thought you were leaving...

minendo · Apr 6, 2002

<< It was asked when they started the subscriptions, but was quickly rejected.

Edit:

<< That would be awesome. I would subscribe just for that........... >>

I thought you were leaving... >>

I was just going to say the same thing.

Devistater · Apr 7, 2002

The problem is, it would quickly turn into everyone trying to outdo the other with porno avatars or other crap with the insane thread crappers we have here, then the mods would have to censor lots of avatars and keep on top of it all. Plus the additional storage space from hundreds or thousands of people... I doubt that its worth the hassle for the web guys here to implement that. But hey, offer to pony up extra money and you never know

gopunk · Apr 7, 2002

how about custom titles? no bandwidth issue

Devistater · Apr 7, 2002

<< how about custom titles? no bandwidth issue >>

But then that would take away the prestige of the titles people have now, it would make them meaningless. Over on hardocp the mods can give someone a custom title (its fairly rare but it happens) which I feel is fine, but really the way they do it here is fine too, its a fair way to do it. Then its based upon how active you are. I'm surprised that you, a "Lifer" would make that suggestion

Personally, I wouldn't really care too much one way or the other since it does display your post number, but still....

Tallgeese · Apr 7, 2002

<< The problem is, it would quickly turn into everyone trying to outdo the other with porno avatars or other crap >>

Agree on this point...probably the main reason NOT to do it.

<< Plus the additional storage space from hundreds or thousands of people >>

Saw it on another forum today. Set limits on avatar graphics...max size of 50 x 50 pixels and/or 2K. Doing the math on it: 50,000 subscribers, each using a 2K avatar, would use up < 100MB...not too bad, especially considering what the forums probably take up right now.

Jason Clark · Apr 7, 2002

While the idea may seem good in theory, in practice allowing people to set their own images is not a good idea. We probably will never do it, there will always be one that will ruin it for the many and possibly cause other problems.

We thought about custom titles, but again, while it may sound good in theory, it's not a great idea. Then you end up with subscribers starting to talk or act like they are better than other forum members, that's not the idea of subscriptions.

Thanks, but no can do.

Evadman · Apr 7, 2002

I don't know about everyone else, but I brag about being a subscriber all the time

I even buy sibscriptions for people who do not have them, that I like. It would be nice if there was a better way to buy subscription gifts, then having to ask for the other person's password. then they have to change it.

Valhalla1 · Apr 7, 2002

how about a few new icons that only subscribers can get? or a simple "Anandtech subscriber" title under the avatar? I really dont like that subscribers arent recognized like they are on Arstechnica... I paid the money to support this forum and I want others to know, I think it would lead to more subscribers!

Azraele · Apr 7, 2002

<< how about a few new icons that only subscribers can get? >>

This idea, I like.

Challenger · Apr 7, 2002

<< Then you end up with subscribers starting to talk or act like they are better than other forum members, that's not the idea of subscriptions. >>

I like the idea of the new icons but I have to agree with the above statement no matter how much I wish it wouldn't happen.

Valhalla1 · Apr 7, 2002

lead by example, arstechnica labels its subscribers with pride, and being a non-subscribing member over there, I can tell you I have never seen subscribers try to act better than anyone else simply because they subscribe...

how do you know until you try it?

the more I think about it the better their forums seem, no language filter, they allow html and image posting within threads, they give the subscribers who paid their hard earned money to support the forum the courtesy of a little text message "Ars subscriber" or something under their avatar

Devistater · Apr 7, 2002

<< how about a few new icons that only subscribers can get? or a simple "Anandtech subscriber" title under the avatar? I really dont like that subscribers arent recognized like they are on Arstechnica... I paid the money to support this forum and I want others to know, I think it would lead to more subscribers! >>

Now thats a decent idea about the icons.

BTW, Zuni, thanks for responding to the thread. What do you think of a few icons only subscribers can have?

gopunk · Apr 8, 2002

We thought about custom titles, but again, while it may sound good in theory, it's not a great idea. Then you end up with subscribers starting to talk or act like they are better than other forum members, that's not the idea of subscriptions.

i honestly don't think that would happen. there is nothing preventing us from doing all that stuff right now, but we don't, because most of the people who visit this board are reasonably mature (heh

). i don't think allowing custom titles would suddenly incite us to start acting like asses. i mean, i could put something in my sig that goes "ooh look at me i subscribe". but i don't.

AndyHui · Apr 8, 2002

<< i don't think allowing custom titles would suddenly incite us to start acting like asses >>

I disagree with that.

I've got a custom title and I tell people to go FAQ themselves all the time.

Imagine what people would do with even more outrageous titles?

Valhalla1 · Apr 8, 2002

Come on now Zuni... you hand out Elite member status, these people (well, most of them anyway) dont go around acting high and mighty... i dont think subscribers would either, we are the bread and butter, the cash flow! we invested in this forum and dont want to screw it up with crap like that.

so how about a vote at least? let subscribers vote on stuff like subscriber-only icons or an "Anandtech Subscriber" title under member status/avatar. lets do it democratic-style instead of dictator-style (nice dictactor, and yet still..) and let us try it out at least...

Hossenfeffer · Apr 8, 2002

<< how about a few new icons that only subscribers can get? >>

This sounds much more doable.

Dead3ye · Apr 8, 2002

<< how about a few new icons that only subscribers can get? >>

Me like also.

Devistater · Apr 8, 2002

<< i honestly don't think that would happen. there is nothing preventing us from doing all that stuff right now, but we don't, because most of the people who visit this board are reasonably mature (heh ). i don't think allowing custom titles would suddenly incite us to start acting like asses. >>

Apparently you don't read any of the controversial threads. Take a look at some of the threads about Israel, or religion, or some of the hot deals relating to religion, or anything like that and you will see people that are serious redneck racists, I mean you would not BELIVE some of the flames people on this board post... and many of them have 1000+ posts too. Perhaps most of the people ARE mature on this board, but most is only at least 51%

Even if only 5%-10% of the people here would abuse custom avatars and/or custom titles, that would be enough to ruin it for most other people. Take a look at some more controversial threads, and imagine the worst posters with the ability for custom avatars... scary stuff.

However, some special subscriber only avatars wouldn't be too bad because then Zuni could select those. Perhaps we might even be able to submit some. I bet some people would subscribe just to have the ability to show some special avatars.

gopunk · Apr 8, 2002

Apparently you don't read any of the controversial threads. Take a look at some of the threads about Israel, or religion, or some of the hot deals relating to religion, or anything like that and you will see people that are serious redneck racists, I mean you would not BELIVE some of the flames people on this board post... and many of them have 1000+ posts too. Perhaps most of the people ARE mature on this board, but most is only at least 51% Even if only 5%-10% of the people here would abuse custom avatars and/or custom titles, that would be enough to ruin it for most other people. Take a look at some more controversial threads, and imagine the worst posters with the ability for custom avatars... scary stuff.

i have a hard time imagining that a custom title would be any more offensive than their posts. besides, so what if they're racist? what are they going to do, put down "racist" for their custom title? or "blacks suck"? not to mention, it would be really easy to crack down on stuff like that. you could just give one warning then ban them. i really don't think any significant number of people would put something racist or whatever in their custom title.

Devistater · Apr 8, 2002

<< i have a hard time imagining that a custom title would be any more offensive than their posts. besides, so what if they're racist? what are they going to do, put down "racist" for their custom title? or "blacks suck"? not to mention, it would be really easy to crack down on stuff like that. you could just give one warning then ban them. i really don't think any significant number of people would put something racist or whatever in their custom title. >>

My argument is more for the custom avatars, not titles. Titles I'm leaning against, but don't really care one way or the other. Custom avatars I'm definately against (i.e. people uploading or linking to thier own images for an avatar), although I'm for subscription only avatars, or perhaps some input into some additional avatars.

gopunk · Apr 8, 2002

<<

<< i have a hard time imagining that a custom title would be any more offensive than their posts. besides, so what if they're racist? what are they going to do, put down "racist" for their custom title? or "blacks suck"? not to mention, it would be really easy to crack down on stuff like that. you could just give one warning then ban them. i really don't think any significant number of people would put something racist or whatever in their custom title. >>

My argument is more for the custom avatars, not titles. Titles I'm leaning against, but don't really care one way or the other. Custom avatars I'm definately against (i.e. people uploading or linking to thier own images for an avatar), although I'm for subscription only avatars, or perhaps some input into some additional avatars. >>

maybe you shouldn't have quoted my post then...

Any chance of custom avatars for subscribers?

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