I would prefer that everyone use an avatar on my forum. And, it doesn't have to be a personal photograph. Any photo or image will do as it helps personalize the forum. And, it's easier for members to recognize each other by avatar rather than default image. What's your thoughts on this?
Do you mandate avatars on your forum?
- Thread starter Beverly
- Start date
CyberFreak
Legendary Typer
I can understand where you are coming from in regards to this but I think that may users will feel it is too forceful and an inconvenience. Very few sites require this so forcing this upon users will no doubt annoy many of them as this isn't something users expect and is not common practice across sites/forums on the web. While it takes only a minute, it can be the difference of a user wanting to continue signing up and just closing the tab and moving on to another site.
I don't force users to have an avatar if they don't want one.
I'd be turned away if I joined a site and they turned around and told me I had to have an avatar up in 3 days or they'd delete my account (if it weren't in the rules...)
Though even if it was mentioned in the rules, I'd be much less likely to join sites that require an avatar simply because they come off controlling and concerned about appearances only.
I would also imagine that others would also be less likely to join sites with such a requirement also. (Some might be turned away entirely.) And I honestly don't see any real gain from forcing people to have an avatar. I mean their posts are going to be what you read and reply to, not their avatars. So, to me, it just seems like an easy (and rather arbitrary) way to turn people away with no real benefits.
I'd be turned away if I joined a site and they turned around and told me I had to have an avatar up in 3 days or they'd delete my account (if it weren't in the rules...)
Though even if it was mentioned in the rules, I'd be much less likely to join sites that require an avatar simply because they come off controlling and concerned about appearances only.
I would also imagine that others would also be less likely to join sites with such a requirement also. (Some might be turned away entirely.) And I honestly don't see any real gain from forcing people to have an avatar. I mean their posts are going to be what you read and reply to, not their avatars. So, to me, it just seems like an easy (and rather arbitrary) way to turn people away with no real benefits.
If I joined a forum and was told if I didn't get an avatar within x hours/days, I would be quick to hit the X button. When I join a forum I generally don't add an avatar immediately, I wait a while until I know I'm going to stay at the forum, then I add an avatar. I don't see avatars being that important so no, I don't force avatars on my members.
I like to talk to people who have avatars because it makes me feel like I'm talking to someone... to a human. LOL, silly reason, yes. But forcing members to wear one or give warnings if they don't upload an avatar is a bit too much for me. It's members' right to use a picture or not~ I'll just add at least a default avatar if they don't want to upload one themselves.
I am a fan of using the default avatar most of the time. If people get sick of looking at their default avatar, they can change it to something they prefer. I don't exactly want to force it on people though since not everyone gets into having an avatar at all. I've known a few members that will absolutely not add any sort of avatar what so ever.
I understand it being fine to not have an avatar if there is a default avatar on the forum. As that way the post layout is basically the same with every post so there isn't really an issue.
But when there is no default avatar I can really understand the annoyance a forum owner would have.
But can't a forum owner just add a default avatar to those who don't have one set if it really is a bother?
I mean avatars are great but sometimes people don't have the time to put one up and instead just want to post.
I have suggested Gravatar to a few forums before. I feel that's a great integration service for forums.
But when there is no default avatar I can really understand the annoyance a forum owner would have.
But can't a forum owner just add a default avatar to those who don't have one set if it really is a bother?
I mean avatars are great but sometimes people don't have the time to put one up and instead just want to post.
I have suggested Gravatar to a few forums before. I feel that's a great integration service for forums.
Gravatar is good but then again, not all of your forum members are going to know what it is. The trick to getting people to add avatars is by encouraging them to. You can add something in the welcome PM/Email or place a progress bar on the forum indicating the forum being almost complete (including that avatar upload will help) and so on. However, as I said before, there will still be those few people who will not ever do anything with avatars.
Kirk93 said:
Default signature is a new thing for me. 😱
Optimus said:
Gravatar is good because it's integrated to many websites like Wordpress, but that's creating one more account just for avatars and not everyone likes it. And honestly speaking dealing with avatars is not that time consuming if you already have pictures database in your computer, just need to adjust it to the forum's rule. But it's preference, so yeah.
Affiliates
