Avatars - those images we identify ourselves and others by

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:37 am

Well, this software version offers a number of nifty perks for the moderators (we can warn folks, no spam bots for the most part, easy merging, splitting and otherwise handling of posts) and there's also some perks for all y'all as well. Check out the "User Control Panel" - it's up above on the left corner of the forum, right below the logo (which we hope to soon replace with Paco's old logo)

You can now host your avatar right here, either using one from the gallery or uploading one for your use.

Minimum size - 20X20 pixels
Maximum size - 100X100 pixels
Maximum file size - 6,144 kilobytes

Abuse of this privilege (by uploading pornographic or otherwise objectionable material [objectionable will be judged by the moderators as the supreme court on the forum] or by violating copyrights and such) may lead to a warning, cessation of avatar usage privilege and perhaps even termination of user account. In other words, keep it clean, keep it legal. AND you know we're putting this "caveat" in for the 0.001% of the forum that have their craniums up their evacuation duct.

So, take a look at your User Control Panel and see what all y'all can play with here. Please "BTT" this for a few days as folks drift in and out and might over look it. It's not important enough to swell our bloated "Announcements" section with. We'll be working at trimming that down too, as time and resources allow.

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:40 am

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:42 am

Sounds like something Grizz should look into. His avatar host only lets HIM sit it. The rest of us just see a red x! Must be one of them "el cheapo" avatar hosting services!

-Tutt

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:47 am

Yeah, I'll blame those comments about his avatar for prompting me to get over there and "open the flood gates" so to speak... That's it. It's Grizz's fault...

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:38 am

Will the system automatically resize a picture to fit the size parameters? I don't know how to change the size of a picture.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:49 am

Malamute wrote:Will the system automatically resize a picture to fit the size parameters? I don't know how to change the size of a picture.

The best bet would be to upload it to photobucket or some such hosting site. They often have tools for resizing images with. Once you've got it the right size, download it to your hard drive and upload it to the avatar directory. I don't believe the system will resize for you. I'll check it out and if it does I'll post an answer here.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:05 am

Malamute wrote:Will the system automatically resize a picture to fit the size parameters? I don't know how to change the size of a picture.

Malamute, I just ran through the process. Your best bet is to buzz over to http://www.photobucket.com and create an account with them. Upload the picture you want to use. There you can crop it, rotate it and who knows what all else. Then choose to resize it. They'll give you a list of options, one of which is "avatar" - the one I did came out 100 X 75 pixels - well within the specs on the forum. Once you save it in photobucket, view it and save it to your hard drive via right click. Once it's on your hard drive (I suggest using the "Desktop" as it's easier to find for sure) then go to your profile here and choose "manage avatar" or some such. There you can choose it from your desktop or where ever you saved it to and upload it. Simple and easy (as compared to downloading "GIMP" and learning to use it.)

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:27 am

'peers to me, from looking at others' avatars, that we all better make our pictures perfectly square, else they will be squared accordingly, making us look too fat or too skinny.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:44 am

KirkD wrote:'peers to me, from looking at others' avatars, that we all better make our pictures perfectly square, else they will be squared accordingly, making us look too fat or too skinny.

Not necessarily. If you upload the avatar to the server here, make sure you know the dimensions. Anything from 20 X 100 pixels to 100 X 20 pixels is acceptable. Just make sure you know the size and enter it into the space available. The update just grabbed everyone's avatar and did what it could, with varying results. The key to a presentable avatar is to know what sizes can be used and then work within the limitations, making sure you get the correct dimensions when you set your avatar.

Post by **Hobie** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:46 am

"Too" skinny might not be a bad thing for some of us.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:23 pm

OK thanks for all the help Amigos, I think I've solved the problem, eh?

don Tomás · Post by **don Tomás** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:56 pm

Grizz wrote:OK thanks for all the help Amigos, I think I've solved the problem, eh?

lever-4-life · Post by **lever-4-life** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:21 pm

Photo bucket has the automatic avatar resize feature, Also I do not know If my avatar would be in violation of the copyright rule. It came from the Molly Hatchet web site, and I posted it with out thinking...

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:55 pm

Grizz wrote:OK thanks for all the help Amigos, I think I've solved the problem, eh?

Everyone has their cross to bear. I guess this one's your's...

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:20 pm

I'll just stick with the avatar I have. The only thing that beats a Nun with a ruler is a Nun with a shotgun.

I was going to use this as my avatar. Yes, it is levergun/gun related because sheep are watched over by sheepherders and sheepherders use .30-30 lever action rifles.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:28 pm

AmBraCol wrote:Not necessarily. If you upload the avatar to the server here, make sure you know the dimensions. Anything from 20 X 100 pixels to 100 X 20 pixels is acceptable. Just make sure you know the size and enter it into the space available. The update just grabbed everyone's avatar and did what it could, with varying results. The key to a presentable avatar is to know what sizes can be used and then work within the limitations, making sure you get the correct dimensions when you set your avatar.

Yes, yes, good advice. I was lucky that I thought of that first so mine was changed quickly. I made another one when I saw that it had went up to 100x100 though.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:32 pm

AmBraCol wrote:
Grizz wrote:OK thanks for all the help Amigos, I think I've solved the problem, eh?
Everyone has their cross to bear. I guess this one's your's...

which disciple was crucified upside down on such a cross?

would you say, "it's his X to bear" ?

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:40 pm

Paul, I'm pretty sure there was something here on this website that said when you use a remote avatar and delete the numbers in the pixel boxes, it will resize it to the appropriate proportions. I was able to do this with my old avatar and it corrected the short/fat thing and restored me to my proper glory!

Grizz, I lauged a looooong time at your new Avatar. Glad you came to your senses!

-Tutt

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:07 pm

Ok, we'll see how this old likeness of me turns out!

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:24 pm

kewl, I now have one!!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:06 pm

BTT -

Gotta change mine - just too small for the right effect here!

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:58 am

BTT

!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:07 am

rock-steady · Post by **rock-steady** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:18 am

Test.............

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:24 am

BTT

!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:51 am

BTT

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:54 am

BTT

!

Cherokee · Post by **Cherokee** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:33 am

I'm just checking to see how it comes out....

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 4:01 am

BTT

Post by **AmBraCol** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:18 am

Well, it looks like folks are getting the hang of this avatar thing.

We've got a few new avatars showing up already.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:33 am

BTT

!

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:15 am

BTT

!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:41 am

BTT

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:22 am

Well, guys, it's been about a week now, hopefully all the regulars have seen this lil' dab of info. We can let 'er slide on down through the system now I'd say... And thank you all for your assistance in getting the message out.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:09 am

Before this topic slides outa sight and before I change my mind again, I wonder if anyone knows what that curious blue symbol represents...

Grizz

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:03 pm

Grizz wrote:Before this topic slides outa sight and before I change my mind again, I wonder if anyone knows what that curious blue symbol represents...

Grizz

A red "X"???

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:33 pm

AmBraCol wrote:
Grizz wrote:Before this topic slides outa sight and before I change my mind again, I wonder if anyone knows what that curious blue symbol represents...
Grizz
A red "X"???

The image has been deleted or moved. Now, if only we can help marlinman93.... hint, hint.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:38 pm

AmBraCol wrote:
Grizz wrote:Before this topic slides outa sight and before I change my mind again, I wonder if anyone knows what that curious blue symbol represents...

Grizz
A red "X"???

You're seeing a red X? I'm seeing the image I uploaded.

oh well, redX it is then...

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:57 pm

this is what I see in my browser:

pls show me what u see

Post by **AmBraCol** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:06 pm

OK, I confess. I've got a weird sense of humor.

Here's what you said:

Grizz wrote: I wonder if anyone knows what that curious blue symbol represents...

Key word there - to MY eye - "represents"... Now, perhaps I got it wrong, but wasn't it you that folks were razzing about a red x showing up instead of the avatar? So, to my (admittedly convoluted) way of thinking, the idea of your blue "G" (that's what it looks like to MY eye) "representing" a "red x" was hilarious... Of course, explaining it kind of takes out the humor...

But not explaining it means I was sitting here giggling and folks thinking I'd flipped my lid... so, my "red X" answer was as to what it "represents"...

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:39 pm

Now there's an explanation I can laugh about.

That symbol is an old (olde ?) english letter C.

It was the logo of the 1906 Chicago Cubs.
(I think that's right)

It's a matter of genetics that I am a Cubs fan.
I was a gleam in my Daddy's eye in Wrigley Field
when the parents were courtin' and sparkin'.
My Mom wore her Cubs cap until the end.
I figure since they're still cheering them on,
I can too. I'm gonna switch to the Cubs logo that
flew over Wrigley when my folks were there.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:21 pm

Grizz, I can understand you wanting to honor your parents, so the "Blue C" it is, but I thought the "Red X" you went to was funnier than "S***".

-Tutt

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:57 pm

CowboyTutt wrote:Grizz, I can understand you wanting to honor your parents, so the "Blue C" it is, but I thought the "Red X" you went to was funnier than "S***".

-Tutt

Thanks for that Cowboy

I never know if I'm getting laughs or groans, but glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!