Zain's Custom Avatar Poll

[Zain]

I was told to make a Poll to see if you guys would allow me to use the picture below as a custom avatar. Right now mine is the Barbarian General... number 33 or something. But, the picture below is Zain as I have always imagined him (He's a character, my name isn't Zain) So, will you allow me to make a custom avatar out of this picture?

I'll use a previous avatar to add in the border and everything. Only difference will be the picture (probably half of the face)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Thanks for the input!

[CountArach]

I would hate to say no, but I will on the grounds that no one else has custom avatars except for Mods and Admins.

[Zain]

I'm thinking that's because they don't know how to make them.

Come on guys, it shows some unique qualities the Org needs. At least, in my opinion it needs.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I would hate to say no, but I will on the grounds that no one else has custom avatars except for Mods and Admins.

I have a custom avatar...

I'd love to say no based on the fact that my brother was obsessed with that game, and idolized that character for ages, but instead I'll abstain until I've put a little bit more thought into it.

[Zain]

I have a custom avatar...

I'd love to say no based on the fact that my brother was obsessed with that game, and idolized that character for ages, but instead I'll abstain until I've put a little bit more thought into it.

Yes, his name is Squall Leonhart from Final Fantasy VIII.

But I played the game once, it was a good game, but nothing to obsess about.

But, when I imagine Zain, I imagine him. If this could be my avatar that would be perfect. Apotheosis.

[pevergreen]

As was stated in the other thread, I believe that is what a URL avatar is for. A secondry one to show more.

[FactionHeir]

I would have to say no based on the vastly different setting and time period of the custom avatar. Of course, when Fantasy: Total War is released, I may be inclined to change my vote

[UltraWar]

Where is the history of this character other than being from a game not affiliated with real history.

Vote:No

[TosaInu]

I would hate to say no, but I will on the grounds that no one else has custom avatars except for Mods and Admins.

It's about the other URLavatar CountArach. Many have something custom there, either from the public pool or more personal. Before this was set up (for the 2nd time, the 1st was on Ikonboard) there was a public discussion with the members how to do it. Members wanted to have some sort of theme back then, but it didn't became clear what it should be exactly. I have some idea what can be in, but not what can not be in.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/avatars/

So, the question is not whether we can have URLavatars, because we do have that, the question is not whether people can add avatars, because they do, the question is not whether people can have a personal URLavatar, because several do, but whether the member decided theme has to be expanded to avatars like this.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I don't think the picture fits particularly well with the theme, though it isn't the worst thing you could have come up with, like a race car or something, so I'm not violently opposed to it. I think it'd be better if we stuck a bit closer to the theme. Sorry...

[caravel]

I had to vote yes. I just don't see this as a major issue, worth any kind of poll - or a major debate. IMHO it should be added to the URL avatars and Zain allowed to use it. The majority of orgahs, and those that are not logged in, won't see it anyway as they won't have the URL avatars enabled.

[Stig]

People like Sigurd and Jag have custom avatars
linkywinky

They are however only a little bit customised ... and I think these kind of custom avatars should be possible to have.

[pevergreen]

Sigurd's is Norse themed (Viking Invasion) therefore in theme. Unsure of Jag's, possibly Shogun?

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Sigurd's is Norse themed (Viking Invasion) therefore in theme. Unsure of Jag's, possibly Shogun?

JAG's is a Kensai, a kind of unit, from Shogun: Total War Mongol Invasion. An unedited form of his avatar can be located here. Basically, all he's done is written the word "spammer" across the top of the image. As Stig has stated, this is only a minor adaptation.

[Noir]

No - i like the fact that there is a single motiff in avatars that prevents them from sidetracking in various directions, aesthetically and otherwise.

This is a TW related site - and the way it has handle the "to avatar or not to avatar" problem is very good IMO. As far as i am concerned it should remain so.

[caravel]

Some of you still appear to be confused over the type of avatar in question here. The URL avatars and not the gallery avatars. URL avatars are not visible to guests anyway, only to logged in users, and then only to users that select the view URL avatars option in their usercp.

[Noir]

I realised its the URL avatar and yet there is still a theme on those too no?

[caravel]

There is, but it's not restricted to only TW portraits from TW games, is it does seem to be slightly more open.

Anyway my URL avatar is easily the best and it's not even a custom one.

[Noir]

That's worse than i thought then - they should all be restricted back to TW themes only available from a public pool and the ones deviating taken away including yours.

[Zain]

The URL avatars are to show individuality. You can't take that away or you become communists or dictators.

The custom avatar idea is severely bashed currently, so no need to vote anymore. Thanks for all of your inputs!

[Noir]

Sorry Zain,
i was just teasing Cambyses - not expressing strictness in post #19
I did not mean to be disrespectful with your preference or like of that particular character/avatar.

[Zain]

Thanks for your caution and kindness, but 18 votes out of 22 says no.

Thanks for everyone's input once again.

[pevergreen]

Subtle mods to avatars, such as JAG's or Andres' are fine. But for bigger changes - URL avatars are the way to go

[TosaInu]

The custom avatar idea is severely bashed currently, so no need to vote anymore. Thanks for all of your inputs!

It's decided for now then?

What is it that makes this URLavatar unsuited? Is it the anime style, the lack of a weapon (would it be ok if it had say a sword)? Getting some insight here could speed up expanding the pool (and customs) quicker.

[pevergreen]

I am getting confused now.

Normal avatar: example: me with Hastati.
URL avatar: chosen by player, linked etc.

I was under the impression we were voting for Zain to have the suggested picture in place of his normal avatar (the gaul). I was also under the impression URL avatars are allowed to be chosen at will, with no restrictions, as they are defaulted to off in the User CP. I have them off, as most are big and clunky, but if the vote was for that to be in his URL avatar, I would have voted yes.

[caravel]

That's worse than i thought then - they should all be restricted back to TW themes only available from a public pool and the ones deviating taken away including yours.

And pray do tell, how is my avatar deviant...

My work network has blocked the URL avatars.

It's decided for now then?

What is it that makes this URLavatar unsuited? Is it the anime style, the lack of a weapon (would it be ok if it had say a sword)? Getting some insight here could speed up expanding the pool (and customs) quicker.

Does anime style make an avatar unsuited? That's a good question. If some good anime style STW or feudal Japan avatars were available I'd say they'd be acceptable, though I wouldn't use them myself. Lack of a weapon no, as 99% of the portrait avatars lack weapons and also most of the URL ones.

I am getting confused now.

Normal avatar: example: me with Hastati.
URL avatar: chosen by player, linked etc.

I was under the impression we were voting for Zain to have the suggested picture in place of his normal avatar (the gaul). I was also under the impression URL avatars are allowed to be chosen at will, with no restrictions, as they are defaulted to off in the User CP. I have them off, as most are big and clunky, but if the vote was for that to be in his URL avatar, I would have voted yes.

Post #9 of this thread already explains this clearly.

[TosaInu]

Hello pevergreen,

It's about the URL avatars indeed, the big ones you have to enable in the UserCP.

There were several public discussions about how that should be done (topics are still in this forum).

One of the calls was that it should not be totally unrestricted, though that option was offered. Entering any URL does not work.

Then the question was about the file-size and dimensions.

Then there was a call to restrict it to a theme. I recall there was a no for Bart Simpson and that it should be about TW/history or so, but it was never concluded what exactly.

The whole discussion took several months, iirc a year even. So we decided to move ahead whith what we had and just refine while moving.

I know what can be in and when such avatars are uploaded (and that's open for any member), I add them to the pool or if the author wants so, set it so it's for personal use only (better notify me to avoid me to miss it). I have to move them first in both cases.

[TosaInu]

My work network has blocked the URL avatars.

They did? But they are just graphics from this domain. Are they considered too large?

[caravel]

Just tested in internet exploiter, same problem. I'm not sure if they're considered too large. I doubt it. I'll go to the avatars page and see if that's blocked.

The gallery for the url avatars is blocked, not by domain but based on some overzealous content control software that runs on the server here.

[TosaInu]

The gallery for the url avatars is blocked, not by domain but based on some overzealous content control software that runs on the server here.

The files are too large perhaps? Can you see this?