I do, I just think it looks better. First, MyBB searches for a Gravatar if you have one set up and linked to your email. If not, a random avi plugin picks an avatar for you or you have the option to set up a Gravatar right there.
Newly registered members have assigned avatars, if they haven't already chosen their own, via a plugin. It's better than having a blank avatar with no meaning.
They have the Facebook default avatar, or something similar to it I should say. I have thought about making random abstract ones, however I just have not gotten the time to make them. 😛
We do have one on our forum! It's an owl on some background design that one of our devs put together. I think default avatars are good for a forum as then everyone technically has one and people's profiles and mini profiles don't seem so "plain."
I think I usually use the default one shipping with the software, or at least the theme. When possible, I'll have gravatar enabled too, so that a good percentage of members will have an avatar automatically assigned without having to set one manually.
I try to change the default avatars to match my general niche. I use XenForo so I can make it gender-specific if members have edited that option. I usually have some 'blue' for males and 'pink' for females.
It looks better but it also encourages them to change their avatar as well, I think, because it isn't of the norm...it catches their attention because they are not used to seeing it on other communities they probably become to! 🙂
We have an automatic default that isn't too appealing. We can set a new default avatar per theme, and we have done so on a few themes. Need to get them done for all the themes really.
