Avatars

[Jack Appleseed]

We need avatars.  What is the story?  I am sure this has come up before.

ja

[Cindysphinx]

Bump!

Also curious . . .

[Egon von Sprocket]

We need avatars.  What is the story?  I am sure this has come up before.

ja

Been waiting too.     I guess it's about time we take over this place.   

[Ben D.]

! No replies  I liked my bread! Someone help us here

[chozart]

avatars would be cool ~ I support

[Skeptopotamus]

Avatar=good
No Avatar=not as good

[Ben D.]

Avatar=good
No Avatar=not as good

lol

[alexed]

what is an avatar?

apologies for being an unknowing cyber virgin (oops, that came out slightly wrong!!)

[Ben D.]

A little picture next to your name

[ehpianist]

I emailed the webmaster with a recommendations for the site including the avatar thing, maybe he/she will respond.

Does anyone else get a headache from reading the high-contrast white on black posts for a long time?

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com

[allchopin]

Avatars are simply wasted downloading time visiting the forum.

Does anyone else get a headache from reading the high-contrast white on black posts for a long time?

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1644.msg12146.html#msg12146

[Ben D.]

  I disagree. But it's not my decision, so...

[xuser]

EHpianist

I don't have any problem with the "white on black color scheme" because I have found a solution to switch it off with an internet explorer option. Please apply the following steps:

1. Open the Tools menu with the mouse 
2. Select the Internet Options option with the mouse
3. Select the Accessibility button with the mouse
4. Check the "Ignore colors specified on web page" checkbox with the mouse 
5. Select the OK button twice with the mouse or by pressing Enter twice.

According to this post, you can also choose the print mode for each thread:

xvimbi I think he's talking about a browser feature.
Hey you know you can read the threads in 'print' mode if you don't like the colors, just press the print button at the top of the thread- all it does is bring up a black on white version sutable for printing.
Like this:
https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php?action=printpage;topic=5966.0

xuser

[Jack Appleseed]

I emailed the webmaster with a recommendations for the site including the avatar thing, maybe he/she will respond.

Does anyone else get a headache from reading the high-contrast white on black posts for a long time?

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com

Yup yup yup!

ja

[Cindysphinx]

Is there any help for those of using Mozilla?

[xuser]

Yes, for Firefox
1. Open the Fonts and Colors menu
2. Check the box "Always use my Colors"

xuser

[ehpianist]

Amazing!  Thanks for the clue.

Regarding the Avatars, when they first came out in PW I thought they were an annoying idea, rather silly but...  As time went on you visually associate each poster with their avatar and it becomes easier to remember who is who and also gives an extra personality trait to each.  I actually grew rather fond of them, everyone seems so much more impersonal here without avatars.

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com

[kaff]

...everyone seems so much more impersonal here without avatars.

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com

Given the apparent personality clashes in PW, is this not rather a good thing? 

Kathryn

[ehpianist]

hmmm... good point! though I doubt the fallouts were due to avatar disagreements!

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com

[janice]

Does anyone else get a headache from reading the high-contrast white on black posts for a long time?

YES!!!  It kills my eyes!  About every 60 seconds, I have to turn away from the screen, and look off in the distance.  I can't read a lengthy post all at once, so it takes me forever!

[Tash]

i really like the white writing, i went and checked out PW and couldn't stand the black on white! must've gotten used to the whole black blackground, i like it it looks classy

[Axtremus]

1. Avatar -- (Edit: Inappropriate suggestion deleted. See nilsjohan's post below. )

2. Color scheme -- actually, I like "white on black" more than the reverse. My eyes are more relaxed if less light is beaming into them from a computer monitor. My favorite is "green on black" like those old monochrome monitors back in the 80's.

[nilsjohan]

Regarding the color scheme, a look here: https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php?topic=6194.0

 

[calidris]

1. Avatar -- can you put a picture in your signature? That can probably function as your avatar.

It doesn't work 

[nilsjohan]

Please do not put avatars in the signature.

There are reasons why we do not use avatars. For example, since we have 50 posts per page the pages will be rather slow to load for modem users and we find speed and also clean appearence more important than the extra spice the avatars will give.

However, there might come a time when we will use avatars but then they will be placed in the left marigin under the user name and not in the signature.

I hope for your understanding!

[mound]

Yeah, I don't like Avatars.. They are everywhere on forums, I like that this site does not use them.. annoying waste of bandwidth if you ask me

-Paul

[calidris]

Please do not put avatars in the signature.

There are reasons why we do not use avatars. For example, since we have 50 posts per page the pages will be rather slow to load for modem users and we find speed and also clean appearence more important than the extra spice the avatars will give.

However, there might come a time when we will use avatars but then they will be placed in the left marigin under the user name and not in the signature.

I hope for your understanding!

No problem.   

Back to my old signature

[calidris]

Yeah, I don't like Avatars.. They are everywhere on forums, I like that this site does not use them.. annoying waste of bandwidth if you ask me

-Paul

I like them if they are kept small.  48x48 pixels is enough.  The picture is still recognizable and the amount of kb's is reasonable.

BTW, are avatars downloaded every time one visits the forum, or are they stored in the temporary internet files folder?   

[nilsjohan]

BTW, are avatars downloaded every time one visits the forum, or are they stored in the temporary internet files folder?   

It depends on your browser's settings but usually they are stored and not reloaded for every page.  So even if this is not a terribly big problem in most cases there are many other reasons for why there are no avatars at this forum.

[ehpianist]

Thank you thank you thank you for the new option for a black on white layout.  My eyes and brain thank you!

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com

[chickering9]

Thank you thank you thank you for the new option for a black on white layout.  My eyes and brain thank you!

I didn't think the color scheme mattered much, but having just tried the inverted theme, I'm amazed how much easier it is on my eyes.  Thank you Nils!   

[Tash]

oh boo i had a lovely little pic in my signature and now i'll just have to go take it off again

[calidris]

Don't worry, Tash, the little snail is lovely too   

[Stolzing]

Is it possible to have avatars enabled, but turned off by default?  Maybe that would be a good solution.

[jazzyprof]

Not having avatars is cool.  Gives this place the clean, uncluttered look.  Kind of classy.  Less is more.

[athykay]

You know, I think I agree.   In another life, I had an avatar, and I think it evoked some terribly negative feelings in some, but shoot, after x number of posts, there wasn't much I could do to shake the image.  Likewise, I've seen some horribly deceptive avatars in the opposite direction - people who picked wannabe hot looking mugs who were anything but (based some real life encounters), but that little visual eye candy seemed to really color the nature of discourse for them.   In short, they can be a real tool of manipulation.  (And I HATE manipulation). 

I've always thought how pure and beauitful the love of blind people must be - truly based on the spirit and deeper senses rather than the instant gratification of an appealing visual (sort of like white sugar?).   So, yes, I think avatars would spoil the good atmosphere here.

[jazzyprof]

Well said, athykay.

[chickering9]

Well said, athykay.

Agreed.   

I particularly like this medium and the way it's free of the usual outward trappings that evoke status.  I think this is as good a way of getting a pure view of an inner soul or mind as there is, short of being blind.

[realitytest]

allchopin signature:

If my piano bench was a toilet I probably wouldn't leave. 

This sig has been preying on my mind.  The image it creates!  It's one thing for Louis Quatorze to have a chamberpot beneath his dining chair, as it would invisible.  But a pianist...

And think of the sound effects, especially if miked!   

BLURF

(the 1812 Overture...William Tell!  What percussive punctuations. Better tiptoe out now... )

rt

[nilsjohan]

Not having avatars is cool.  Gives this place the clean, uncluttered look.  Kind of classy.  Less is more.

I've always thought how pure and beauitful the love of blind people must be - truly based on the spirit and deeper senses rather than the instant gratification of an appealing visual (sort of like white sugar?).   So, yes, I think avatars would spoil the good atmosphere here.

Agreed.   

I particularly like this medium and the way it's free of the usual outward trappings that evoke status.  I think this is as good a way of getting a pure view of an inner soul or mind as there is, short of being blind.

Thanks for those wise comments. They are perfectly in line with my own opinion about avatars and some other forum features. Less is more!

[bernhard]

I agree. I am all for minimalism.

(Puts on CD of Arvo Part’s Fur Alina ).

[m1469]

Not having avatars is cool.  Gives this place the clean, uncluttered look.  Kind of classy.  Less is more.

I agree.  I also really like the blacky background.

[mikeyg]

I wish that there were avatars.  In other forums, I use the avatar to help me recognise people and get a taste of their personality.  It is really useful, and you could always keep the size down.  Also, 50 posts per page is ALOT.  I think 20 would be better.  Although, can't you change this in your profile?

[Bouter Boogie]

Avatar=good
No Avatar=not as good

I've got a sort of avatar  You can put a pic of yourself at your signature.. Just like I did 

[mikeyg]

I've got a sort of avatar You can put a pic of yourself at your signature.. Just like I did

it'd take up even less space if it were to the side.

[Bouter Boogie]

it'd take up even less space if it were to the side.

Yea.. Maybe.. My pic's gone now by the way, I dunno why  My signature's not moving anymore either.. What's wrong with this forum these days!?

[nilsjohan]

Yea.. Maybe.. My pic's gone now by the way, I dunno why My signature's not moving anymore either.. What's wrong with this forum these days!?

Nothing wrong - just changes!

You are now welcome to try out our new avatar feature which allows you to upload or link to a picture that will be visable in your profile.
Just click "Forum Profile Information" in your profile and you can't miss it!

Johan

[Bouter Boogie]

Nothing wrong - just changes!

You are now welcome to try out our new avatar feature which allows you to upload or link to a picture that will be visable in your profile.
Just click "Forum Profile Information" in your profile and you can't miss it!

Johan

Yea, I saw it, looks cool! Now you should get avatars for at the forum itself, that would be more cool 

But how come the signatures aren't moving anymore?  I liked that though 

[nilsjohan]

I am happy to see you like the new feature!
Both the decisions to disable the moving text and not to display avatars in posts are in line with our policy to keep a clean and tidy look of the forum to put focus on information in form of written text. 

Further comments regarding this policy are welcome!