Should avatars be tied to post counts?

[econ21]

There's been some discussion among staff about Org avatars - the small portrait pictures we all have next to our names when we post[1]. Currently, which avatars you access depends on your post count: people with larger post counts can access a wider variety. I would like to propose that all Org members should be able to freely choose from the available standard avatars (ie the ones available from TW games).

I wonder what Org members feel about this? Are there people frustrated by the lack of choice of avatars available to them? Do others think that it is good to have restrictions on avatars to reward high post counts?

Personally, I think allowing people free choice of avatars will benefit some without hurting others. I don't think restricting avatars is a good way of creating a "ranking" system based on post counts (it's not very visible - you can't tell a person's "rank" from his avatar). And given the incentives for spam and generally low signal to noise ratio from some posters, I don't think it is important to reward high post counts anyway.

I also have a specific interest in that I am running a PBM where players want to take on the avatars of the generals they are role-playing but some are far from the required number of posts to access the picture they want.

I'm making this a poll not because it will formally decide anything (that's up to the Admins) but just so people can express an opinion without having to post. But I'd be particularly interested in people giving reasoned opinions in their posts.

[1]There's also been some discussion about custom avatars, but I'd like to leave that issue to another day and another thread.

[caravel]

I'm all for it, even though I'd probably stick with the avatar I have, (it's taken me a while to decide and at times I went with no avatar at all). Looking at the avatars page, I can't see the reason behind some of the categories. Some of the avatars that need 300 posts are very similar to those that need 600, so there's no definition there. Overall they're mostly variations on a theme. Rank is not made obvious by these types of avatars either, they're not really a clear indication of a persons status (junior member/member/senior member etc). Most forums use ranking stars or pips for this purpose. Personally I'm not too interested in ranks or post counts and would prefer if member posts weren't counted at all, but some people do post with the aim of increasing this count.

[edyzmedieval]

I think many avatars should be available from the start, but the more special ones should be limited to post counts, because they are to special members.

[UltraWar]

No, keep choice linked to post count.
This is because it actually makes you feel something when you get the avatar you want.

[Vladimir]

Crossing custom avatars and rank/post count: Senior members and moderators should be able to choose custom avatars, as long as they're appropriately themed.

[x-dANGEr]

I dont care.. Not that an avatar will decide me anyway!

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I liked having it linked to post count when I first came to the Org, though it was a little bit annoying to have a very small number of avatars in the beginning it made it easier for me to choose an avatar without overlooking a bunch and being overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. That being said I don't really have an opinion because I don't think that avatars being linked to post count is an integral part of the Org, and do not believe much will change if the restrictions now in place are removed.

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
I recommend a biparametred () system in which they would be tied both to postcount and date registered. Free choice for all wasn't the way we had when I had joined. I grew up with the current one (without the RTW avatars added) and I believe it wouldn't help improving the atmosphere of the ORG.
.

[IrishArmenian]

I don't really care, but senior members should be able to have a custom avatar that is not completly offensive and somewhat on topic.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Any member can have a custom avatar, you need to upload it to the Org, or use one of the already uploaded ones though. Check the box for use "url avatars" in the User CP if you want to see the custom avatars.

[Lemur]

I'm in favor of letting folks pick almost any avatar from the moment they're members. Pegging a bennie to post count creates some strange incentives. (Spam, anyone?)

[Big_John]

i think all users avatars should be tied to my whim.

[Blodrast]

Free, i.e., no, don't tie avatars to post counts.
As was already mentioned, spam is one major reason. There would be a lot of people and mad posting in the race to get "that cool-looking" avatar...

Also, while I am aware that this is not a democracy , I believe that the fact that people don't feel "inferior" to others (such as restricted avatars might make some feel) is an added benefit that the Org should continue to enjoy.

Mods (and perhaps Senior Members) would be fine, since Mods are a distinct category as it is, and members already categorize them separately; a distinct avatar would only make that a little bit more obvious.

My two cents, free as well. Oh, and post count + 1

[stalin]

How about selling them for cash like dowloadable addons/patches in oblivion. Then we can see who the real people are

[Goalie]

I could really care less about the avatar things, although selling them is one the stupider things i have heard. But you senior members should get some perk on avatars i think.

[Avicenna]

Free, i.e., no, don't tie avatars to post counts.
As was already mentioned, spam is one major reason. There would be a lot of people and mad posting in the race to get "that cool-looking" avatar...

Also, while I am aware that this is not a democracy , I believe that the fact that people don't feel "inferior" to others (such as restricted avatars might make some feel) is an added benefit that the Org should continue to enjoy.

Mods (and perhaps Senior Members) would be fine, since Mods are a distinct category as it is, and members already categorize them separately; a distinct avatar would only make that a little bit more obvious.

My two cents, free as well. Oh, and post count + 1

In watchtower, it's +0

[Lemur]

I could really care less about the avatar things, although selling them is one the stupider things i have heard. But you senior members should get some perk on avatars i think.

I think Stalin's idea is great. First the Org sells avatar packs, and then it can sell horse armor. And maybe users should have to pay $0.99 for each sub-forum they wish to access (one-time fee). That way we'll know they're serious.

I would appreciate any other ideas for how to monetize the Org. Time to stop giving this stuff away.

[stalin]

It'll certainly sort the true fans from wannabees

[x-dANGEr]

Good laughs all over.. ~:D

[Oaty]

Crossing custom avatars and rank/post count: Senior members and moderators should be able to choose custom avatars, as long as they're appropriately themed.

I'm with you there too many people use the same avatar as me

[snevets]

Any member can have a custom avatar, you need to upload it to the Org, or use one of the already uploaded ones though. Check the box for use "url avatars" in the User CP if you want to see the custom avatars.

Actually I don't think that's so, they don't allow that anymore, even if you pm a moderator with the avatar.

[stalin]

Crossing custom avatars and rank/post count: Senior members and moderators should be able to choose custom avatars, as long as they're appropriately themed.

Yeah and then they can stand in front of the auction house in Ironforge all day so the noobs can admire them

[scotchedpommes]

I would back free choice, purely because I see no reason to link them to post
count. We may have a greater variety around here, although I've never seen the
need to change my avatar, others might if their own happens to be repeated so
many times across the forum.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Actually I don't think that's so, they don't allow that anymore, even if you pm a moderator with the avatar.

The way the system works it has to be approved before the new avatar can be added to the available ones, and the system is still in place, new avatars may not have been added in very large numbers since it was first created, but plenty of people do have custom avatars, including me.

[Ser Clegane]

I would appreciate any other ideas for how to monetize the Org. Time to stop giving this stuff away.

[Ludens]

Actually I don't think that's so, they don't allow that anymore, even if you pm a moderator with the avatar.

This is the first I heard of it. Which moderator did you PM? A few staff members seem to be on holiday right now. I think Ser Clegane should be able to upload it for you.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

whoops! i accedentily choose free choice!!!!!! i wanted: No, keep choice linked to post count.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I can't see why avatars should be linked to post count. The great thing about the .org is that people contribute positively. Only a very few seem to do the spam thing to increase post count, and I wouldn't like to see this 'encouraged' by a ranking system.

I think it is marvellous that people are made up to Senior Member on the basis of their clear contribution even if they have a fairly low post count - and occasionally demoted even if they have a substantial count.

The community knows who is a good contributor - the avatar is just a way of reflecting a little bit of oneself or one's aspirations.

[ajaxfetish]

I have mixed feelings, and most of my reasoning has already been expressed. On the one hand, I think there are more important things than post-count (which are already well-recognized and rewarded here at the .org) and I was frustrated by my early limitations for avatar choices.

On the other, even though there is a lot of similarity between posts available earlier or later, there are also some considerable differences. As a new member I could easily notice many avatars I knew I didn't have access to and payed a little more attention to the poster, knowing they'd been around awhile (also cross-checking with their join date, membership status, and the general quality of their posts as I read). Plus, an incentive to post more doesn't necessarily mean just spam. I feel a little embarrassed to mention it, but some of my most productive posting time was leading up to the 500 post benchmark so I could get an avatar with a 'knight' look. I tried diligently to limit non-contributive posts, but I still wanted to post a lot, so I was more involved overall in the .org community than I have been before or since. Some of us can simply use a little extra push in the right direction.

So for me, the pros and cons of each option don't significantly outweigh the other and I'll vote undecided.

Ajax

and for all of that, +0

[snevets]

I was told by mydraal that since it was still under discussion they wouldn't upload my avatar until the matter of custom avatars was decided. I wasn't really asking about custom avatars, I actually just offered a pack of new avatars which are pretty on topic if you ask me, you guys can look at them if you want.