Avatars

[Moses]

Why can't users have avatars anymore? I would rather have a small avatar under somebodies name (easier to recognize who is posting) than a big signature banner. Avatars are more useful and less intrusive. Plus they take less time to load.

[Ravens1991]

I think with the board change only Mods can get Avatars, but IIRC JBond or a Admin saying they are working on it.

[JF4]

Something about taking up space...but we're supposed to get them back, eventually.

[Moses]

I think with the board change only Mods can get Avatars, but IIRC JBond or a Admin saying they are working on it.

Working on it? It's a pretty simple process.

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/avatars_implement

[JF4]

Plus now I don't know when you're posting without your Bubbles avy.

[Moses]

Something about taking up space...but we're supposed to get them back, eventually.

How do they take up space? They can be hosted off-site. Also, signatures are way bigger anyway.

[GB12]

No, we are not getting them back ever.

[Moses]

Plus now I don't know when you're posting without your Bubbles avy.

Exactly. I'm invisible now. :(

[jetsfan3]

My avatar pretty much represented who I was. I was famous for it. You will see.

[JF4]

No, we are not getting them back ever.

I swear I remember hearing that we will get them back one day.

[GB12]

I swear I remember hearing that we will get them back one day.

JBond said on IRC a while back that we aren't.

[BuckNaked]

I desperately need my avatar back. I hope I still have it on my computer.

[Moses]

JBond said on IRC a while back that we aren't.

Pourquoi? (Why?)

[fenikz]

i had the stock nfldc cardinals avatar, but at least that way i could have a miami sig and a cardinals avatar to show were my alliance stands

[bigmac076]

im not gonna hold my breath.

[frogstomp]

If we really are never getting them back, im going the hell on strike.

Where the hell is my Elisha thread?!

[Shane P. Hallam]

I don't have access to the administrator panel, but apparently Ward and Scott have found that we can only have them if they have hosted on this site. This obviously takes up too much space on the site and isn't really worth it. If you have a solution, or know how to get the option so we can have them hosted off-site, please PM it to me and forward it to Ward and Scott.

[Moses]

Just install a mod: http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=39296

[smittyjs]

If we really are never getting them back, im going the hell on strike.

Where the hell is my Elisha thread?!I'm join the strike force :eek:

[njx9]

i'm assuming the deletion of my post means someone is actually looking into it this time.

[frogstomp]

i'm assuming the deletion of my post means someone is actually looking into it this time.

What did your post say?!

Mystery is afoot!

[ricky bobby]

I made a thread about this a long time ago. Three posts later, njx9 flipped out and locked the thread.

We should have a poll on signature photos or Avators. I would be willing to sacrifice the ability to have pictures in the signature for a avator.

[GB12]

I made a thread about this a long time ago. Three posts later, njx9 flipped out and locked the thread.

We should have a poll on signature photos or Avators. I would be willing to sacrifice the ability to have pictures in the signature for a avator.

Do you not know how to read or are you just stupid? The reason why we can't have avatars has nothing to do with having sigs.

[Charm City Byrdgang]

I made a thread about this a long time ago. Three posts later, njx9 flipped out and locked the thread.

We should have a poll on signature photos or Avators. I would be willing to sacrifice the ability to have pictures in the signature for a avator.

yeah dont see that happening.

[ricky bobby]

Do you not know how to read or are you just stupid? The reason why we can't have avatars has nothing to do with having sigs.
A little of both, thanks for asking.. jackass.

[slightlyaraiderfan]

i'm assuming the deletion of my post means someone is actually looking into it this time.
Kind of off-topic, but i'm killing you in fantasy hockey.

[ricky bobby]

Kind of off-topic, but i'm killing you in fantasy hockey.

Kind of off topic, but join my Fantasy Baseball league. 4 spots left.

[GB12]

A little of both, thanks for asking.. jackass.

Your welcome, good luck.

[ricky bobby]

Your welcome, good luck.

Good luck with...

[gbpackers0065]

Working on it? It's a pretty simple process.

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/avatars_implement

mods got pwned

[Charm City Byrdgang]

mods got pwned

How did mods get owned? We have nothing to do with avatars or adding patches to the site.

[gbpackers0065]

How did mods get owned? We have nothing to do with avatars or adding patches to the site.

really? that is all scott and d-unit's choice?

[Shane P. Hallam]

Only Scott can add patches. Only Scott and Ward can turn the avatar access on. So, no, we didn't get owned at all.

[Charm City Byrdgang]

Why does a user named GBPackers have a Giants sig, and not only a giants sig but a Jim Finn sig of all people.

[Big Mike]

Plus now I don't know when you're posting without your Bubbles avy.

RICKY is the best in trailer park boys -HANDS DOWN

[Big Mike]

Why does a user named GBPackers have a Giants sig, and not only a giants sig but a Jim Finn sig of all people.

thats pretty dumb

[gbpackers0065]

Why does a user named GBPackers have a Giants sig, and not only a giants sig but a Jim Finn sig of all people.

He went to the same HS as me and i think he is a top-3 blocking FB in the league

[Big Mike]

He went to the same HS as me and i think he is a top-3 blocking FB in the league

OH FOR REAL. Thats interesting.

[Moses]

RICKY is the best in trailer park boys -HANDS DOWN

Mr. Lahey is the best.

[Hurricane Ditka]

Ricky is the best, bar none. I plan on molding my own life after his.

[Draft King]

i'm assuming the deletion of my post means someone is actually looking into it this time.

njx must be all proud knowning he started the no-avatar trend.

[Ward]

I will show Scott the off-site avatar hack. If for some reason it falls through, I will make an announcement letting everyone know.

[njx9]

I made a thread about this a long time ago. Three posts later, njx9 flipped out and locked the thread.

We should have a poll on signature photos or Avators. I would be willing to sacrifice the ability to have pictures in the signature for a avator.

can't imagine why i "flipped out" except that there were roughly 75 other threads about the same thing at the time. nice dig though, awesome.

and i don't think scott cares which you'd rather have. one links to off-site images, one doesn't, so unless the code is changed, the user's general opinion that scott should pay MORE money for hosting so that people can all have a cute little image isn't really realistic.

[bigmac076]

any word on this situation? Like I said I'm not holding my breath.

[njx9]

yeah, actually, they've given you avatar privleges back, they just decided not to say anything because it's more fun that way. in fact, there's a whole list of new things users don't know about that've been enabled that the mods and admins just don't feel like telling anyone about, so you'll never know what they are or how to use them. i guess there's not really any point in communicating anything ever, because it's just more fun to keep everyone in the dark, especially when the answer has been rather clearly defined in several previous posts and threads.

[bigmac076]

wow I think I got pwned

[TPFKA#1SaintsFan]

and i don't think scott cares which you'd rather have. one links to off-site images, one doesn't, so unless the code is changed, the user's general opinion that scott should pay MORE money for hosting so that people can all have a cute little image isn't really realistic.

I'm completely and totally unfamiliar with the price of webhosting, but how much more money would Scott have to pay for users to be able to have avatars? If it's more than a couple of dollars a month then I wouldn't expect it to be done. But if it's relatively cheap, there is no reason not to give the people what they want. After all, if those people who want a cute little image next to their name didn't come to this site, Scott would be making a lot LESS money.

I could honestly care less one way or another. Just throwing it out there.

[njx9]

I'm completely and totally unfamiliar with the price of webhosting, but how much more money would Scott have to pay for users to be able to have avatars? If it's more than a couple of dollars a month then I wouldn't expect it to be done. But if it's relatively cheap, there is no reason not to give the people what they want. After all, if those people who want a cute little image next to their name didn't come to this site, Scott would be making a lot LESS money.

I could honestly care less one way or another. Just throwing it out there.

it really depends. there are, essentially, two related costs here: bandwidth and storage. the storage costs should typically be fairly negligble, but then, that honestly depends on how much space the rest of the site uses. occasionally, the difference between two tiers of storage space can be several hundred dollars per month.

the bandwidth costs are usually more scalable, but on a dedicated server, that shouldn't necessarily be the issue.

[DChess]

i have a manbearpig avy waiting in the closet

[Moses]

it really depends. there are, essentially, two related costs here: bandwidth and storage. the storage costs should typically be fairly negligble, but then, that honestly depends on how much space the rest of the site uses. occasionally, the difference between two tiers of storage space can be several hundred dollars per month.

the bandwidth costs are usually more scalable, but on a dedicated server, that shouldn't necessarily be the issue.

The storage cost of having avatars would be negligible. Storage space is extremely cheap when it comes to webhosting, and images hardly take up any space.

As for the cost of bandwidth, I doubt it would make much of a difference. I would personally get rid of images in signatures and just go with avatars.

[njx9]

*shrug* you're probably in the minority. further, sigs are not stored on the server, and are thus not really a relevant part of the discussion.

for the record, one of the web servers i trust the most tends toward per-client quotes, but all start with relatively small 73-80 gb drives. adding more adds a large additional cost if the user asks for the back-up service (which tends to be pretty much essential in a server environment). allowing users to add 100x100 images at whim (and especially when they use animated crap) will fill up a drive faster than you think, especially when you remember that people will sign up for the site, add an avatar, then never post here afterwards when they forget about it.

for instance, via networks prices additional storage as:

SATA HD 80 GB $50 setup / $40 monthly
SATA HD 160 GB $50 setup / $60 monthly
SATA HD 250 GB $50 setup / $90 monthly
SCSI HD 36 GB $50 setup / $60 monthly
SCSI HD 73 GB $50 setup / $100 monthly
SCSI HD 146 GB $50 setup / $130 monthly

those are not really negligible fees. moresp when you consider they don't cover the back-up fees:

weekly 40 GB backup $100 setup / $65 monthly
daily 100 GB backup $100 setup / $100 monthly
an extra 10 GB backup $15 monthly

further, the difference between an account that's limited to 40 GB per month in bandwidth and one that's unlimited (at Via, those are the two distinctions) was $130/mo. or $230/mo. if you were upping from the low end dedicated. if you consider this forum and scott's main site, 40GB is not a whopping amount of data transfer.

[elway777]

Now you all know how I feel.

[thule]

Avatars over Sig's is one of the more outrageous things i've heard today.

[SeanTaylorRIP]

Avatars over Sig's is one of the more outrageous things i've heard today.

Very true.

[P-L]

Seriously, is there anything in the world njx doesn't know?

[DHVF]

Seriously, is there anything in the world njx doesn't know?The price of a pound of wild rice in Taiwan in pounds?

[Flyboy]

NFLDC doesn't deserve my Bree Olson goodness anyway. ;)

[njx9]

Seriously, is there anything in the world njx doesn't know?

toonster's true identity.

[njx9]

The price of a pound of wild rice in Taiwan in pounds?

i'll get back to you in two weeks.

[Moses]

*shrug* you're probably in the minority. further, sigs are not stored on the server, and are thus not really a relevant part of the discussion.

for the record, one of the web servers i trust the most tends toward per-client quotes, but all start with relatively small 73-80 gb drives. adding more adds a large additional cost if the user asks for the back-up service (which tends to be pretty much essential in a server environment). allowing users to add 100x100 images at whim (and especially when they use animated crap) will fill up a drive faster than you think, especially when you remember that people will sign up for the site, add an avatar, then never post here afterwards when they forget about it.

for instance, via networks prices additional storage as:

SATA HD 80 GB $50 setup / $40 monthly
SATA HD 160 GB $50 setup / $60 monthly
SATA HD 250 GB $50 setup / $90 monthly
SCSI HD 36 GB $50 setup / $60 monthly
SCSI HD 73 GB $50 setup / $100 monthly
SCSI HD 146 GB $50 setup / $130 monthly

those are not really negligible fees. moresp when you consider they don't cover the back-up fees:

weekly 40 GB backup $100 setup / $65 monthly
daily 100 GB backup $100 setup / $100 monthly
an extra 10 GB backup $15 monthly

further, the difference between an account that's limited to 40 GB per month in bandwidth and one that's unlimited (at Via, those are the two distinctions) was $130/mo. or $230/mo. if you were upping from the low end dedicated. if you consider this forum and scott's main site, 40GB is not a whopping amount of data transfer.

There is no way you would need a 40 GB hard drive to store the avatars for this website. Restrict the size of each avatar to 500 KB or so and you won't even come close to reaching 1 GB of space.

[njx9]

There is no way you would need a 40 GB hard drive to store the avatars for this website. Restrict the size of each avatar to 500 KB or so and you won't even come close to reaching 1 GB of space.

you're forgetting that there's a website attached to the board that will require most of the drive space. the size is then dependant on how many archives scott keeps, layout changes, manual backups, etc. further, the size of the board will also adversely affect that number, as some seldom used boards have reached 3gb (granted some are still under 100mb).

even then, we're still talking about the transfer of those avatars, which will occur across every single page a user views at least once per day (depending on their personal data cache preferences).

regardless, there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason so far for scott to spend more money so that users can have pretty little animated things next to their name that, currently, couldn't just go in their sig space.

[Moses]

you're forgetting that there's a website attached to the board that will require most of the drive space. the size is then dependant on how many archives scott keeps, layout changes, manual backups, etc. further, the size of the board will also adversely affect that number, as some seldom used boards have reached 3gb (granted some are still under 100mb).

even then, we're still talking about the transfer of those avatars, which will occur across every single page a user views at least once per day (depending on their personal data cache preferences).

regardless, there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason so far for scott to spend more money so that users can have pretty little animated things next to their name that, currently, couldn't just go in their sig space.

There is no way this website uses even close to 40 GB of hard drive space. I guarantee Scott has a ton of extra hard drive space sitting there unused.

Obviously bandwidth usage would increase but this server can obviously handle the load. The cost would be negligible.

Signatures are intrusive and take longer to load than avatars. Plus, they don't serve the purpose of quick identification of who is posting as well as avatars do. I've rarely seen a forum on the internet that doesn't have avatars so I just can't understand the logic here.

[njx9]

i've already shown the bandwidth cost isn't really negiligible, and that was on a completely random host i wouldn't typically use. i'm quite sure rackspace's fees are much higher (they used to be, though that may have changed).

if you'd rather have an avatar than a signature, replace one with the other. realistically, that's no different than hosting the avatars off-site to begin with and will take the exact same amount of time to load (meanwhile hosting avatars off-site and letting users have both would take longer to load). i'm also not entirely sure how vbulletin caches old avatars (as far as i can tell, the images are NOT deleted, which then requires scott to log into the web server and manually delete old ones. this is based strictly off reading the manual and not actual experience, so again, there may be hidden settings to limit this).

[Moses]

i've already shown the bandwidth cost isn't really negiligible, and that was on a completely random host i wouldn't typically use. i'm quite sure rackspace's fees are much higher (they used to be, though that may have changed).

if you'd rather have an avatar than a signature, replace one with the other. realistically, that's no different than hosting the avatars off-site to begin with and will take the exact same amount of time to load (meanwhile hosting avatars off-site and letting users have both would take longer to load). i'm also not entirely sure how vbulletin caches old avatars (as far as i can tell, the images are NOT deleted, which then requires scott to log into the web server and manually delete old ones. this is based strictly off reading the manual and not actual experience, so again, there may be hidden settings to limit this).

I would have no problem with adding off-site avatars and getting rid of signatures. Signatures serve no real purpose. Avatars make it easy to identify who is posting.

[njx9]

then i would suggest petitioning the users to remove their sig and stick in an avatar instead. i'm not sure it will gain much traction.

as far as i can tell, there are no board mods for vbulletin 3.6 that will allow users to have off-site avatars. the only one i saw was for the 3.2 version and won't work with this board.

[Moses]

then i would suggest petitioning the users to remove their sig and stick in an avatar instead. i'm not sure it will gain much traction.

as far as i can tell, there are no board mods for vbulletin 3.6 that will allow users to have off-site avatars. the only one i saw was for the 3.2 version and won't work with this board.

I haven't done much research into that but I'd imagine there would be a hack out there which would work. Too bad NFLDC isn't running phpBB anymore, especially since phpBB 3 is out now.

[njx9]

meh, i haven't really seen phpbb3's feature list, but the previous releases were hideously buggy imho. *shrug*

if you find a mod that will work with this version i'd love to hear about it. clearly i couldn't care less either way with avatars or sigs, but i definitely understand the frustration. either way, i'd clearly not expect much on any front until post draft, as none of the admins can run scripts or add board-hacks.

[TacticaLion]

***pulls thread back up...***

I see quite a few members with avatars... but can't add my own? Am I lost?

I want an avatar...

[Xiomera]

***pulls thread back up...***

I see quite a few members with avatars... but can't add my own? Am I lost?

I want an avatar...

Only mods and special people get them.

[Ravens1991]

I think HOF members got Avatars now.

[Nerv]

this just in, njx sucks and i hate him

[TacticaLion]

Only mods and special people get them.Is All-Pro the first "status" that you rate an avatar?

[Chaucer]

Seriously, is there anything in the world njx doesn't know?

Under his logic no. His argument for half of his knowledge is "Trust me I'm asian. I know" no matter how many sources you quote and how creditable they are him or his friends, probably made up, are more knowledgeable on the subject

[DChess]

this just in, njx sucks and i hate him

this just came in too, nervs a *****, and wished people noticed him

[JF4]

Is All-Pro the first "status" that you rate an avatar?

That has to do with Post Count.

[TimDris]

Only mods and special people get them.

Or people on D-Unit's fantasy football teams... :eek: ;) :D

[Nerv]

this just came in too, nervs a *****, and wished people noticed him

DChess still follows me around hoping to get a whiff of my ballsweat. Ya, its that good.

[DChess]

DChess still follows me around hoping to get a whiff of my ballsweat. Ya, its that good.

didnt know balls came with vag's, unless your still in the process of your "change".

[Nerv]

didnt know balls came with vag's, unless your still in the process of your "change".

He reinforces my point by responding to my post immediately after it goes through. Did you get that whiff yet?

[BrownsTown]

*posts in here to brag* just kidding

[TacticaLion]

That has to do with Post Count.
Yes... I'm aware of this. So, sub "All-Pro" with "Post Count": Is there a certain post count that lets you rate an avatar?

[Cashmoney]

*posts in here to brag* just kidding

hater ib tha house.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Yes... I'm aware of this. So, sub "All-Pro" with "Post Count": Is there a certain post count that lets you rate an avatar?

No. The only people with avatars are mods, the winners of the scavenger hunt, and people who are on D-Units WFFL team.

[Addict]

avatars are so way overrated...

[DChess]

He reinforces my point by responding to my post immediately after it goes through. Did you get that whiff yet?

post-op or pre-op?

[TacticaLion]

avatars are so way overrated...

I still want one, cranky-pants.
No. The only people with avatars are mods, the winners of the scavenger hunt, and people who are on D-Units WFFL team.YAY! An answer to my question.

Appreciate it.

[Borat]

No. The only people with avatars are mods, the winners of the scavenger hunt, and people who are on D-Units WFFL team.

I'd rather go avatarless than use that ugly New Zealand one. :)

[bearsfan_51]

Wait, njx is Asian?!?!

[bearsfan_51]

toonster's true identity.

That's easy...in fact he's disclosed said secrets before.

[DChess]

i have seen toonsters picture before.

[Moses]

i have seen toonsters picture before.

Pics or it didn't happen.

[DChess]

Pics or it didn't happen.

lol i didnt save it on my comp. but i have seen the man, i expected him to be this burley 24 yr old man, but he wasnt.

[Addict]

Wait, njx is Asian?!?!

no, he is from the moon, don't you pay attention?

[BrownsTown]

no, he is from the moon, don't you pay attention?

I thought he came from a land down under...


...where women glow and men plunder.

[Shane P. Hallam]

To reiterate, the reasons avatars were taken away is because of the new board. They now must be uploaded to the server instead of remote linked. If we can somehow get a patch THAT WORKS ON THIS VERSION, we would attempt to implement it and reinstate avatars.

[Addict]

I thought he came from a land down under...


...where women glow and men plunder.

No he's from the lands above...

...where the female asshole's where the men put their love

[fischbowl]

I'd rather go avatarless than use that ugly New Zealand one. :)

Agreed those are a bit disgusting. I wish we had avatars, but it's more of an accepted reality now that we've never.

[BrownsTown]

Agreed those are a bit disgusting. I wish we had avatars, but it's more of an accepted reality now that we've never.

You would totally get a Gronkawonka one.

[ncst8fan83]

Wait, njx is Asian?!?!

so, is Paul his non-mod alias?

[jkpigskin]

if sigs are gone... ill be out of business

[fischbowl]

You would totally get a Gronkawonka one.

nvm found it

http://www.hockeywidgets.com/hockeyfan/players/7746.png

http://www.hockeywidgets.com/hockeyfan/players/7746.png