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[bernie1227]

hey, I have an idea, we can all change our signatures as well!!! (yours can be a disclaimer berverlyH)

[jscheuer1]

Ha, ha - I can see I will have to mind my Ps and Qs a bit more.

Don't change.

[bernie1227]

or alternatively do

[james438]

Slightly off topic, but what prompted you (referring to those who have posted in this thread) to post real life images of yourselves as your avatar? As you can see I decided to do so as well, but I was wondering if maybe there was a reason you originally decided to do so.

[jscheuer1]

Well the avatar has a rich if perhaps brief, history. There are those who feel the best ones reflect as much as possible of the actual person. For some time though I had various ones that were not me. An animated .gif (be patient, it's slow):



I also at various times used only one of the panels - a different one each at different times. And another I had was just an icon of a laptop:



I've had at least two others, pictures of me though and not all that different from my current one. I may change again. For now I like what I have.

[bernie1227]

Wow, I can't imagine you having an avatar of not you

[Beverleyh]

I like real pics because they're more personal and I think others tend to respond/interact in a more positive way with a real face attached to the post. Likewise, I am encouraged to deliver the best possible me as well - Of course, I reserve the right to be a complete irkish-goit-beast-from-hell to my nearest and dearest at least a few days every month, but I don't believe in dishing out the evils from behind my monitor.

[james438]

That's a good point. They are rather personal and is a way to be more open about yourself to the people you interact with online. I think there should be a healthy balance between being open about yourself and protecting your privacy. I believe I have been erring a little too much on protecting my privacy due to all that I hear about identity thefts and whatnot.

jscheuer1, I remember that second one, but the first animated avatar you posted is a bit older for me. I may have seen it before, but I don't remember. I like your current one the best.

[jscheuer1]

I just realized that all of the images have the same profile, so you see more of the right side.

[djr33]

I used to have various other pictures, but for my last three avatars I've had pictures of me; the first was just taken with my webcam sitting at the computer, the second was a slightly better picture, and my current one is from my trip to Easter Island. I'll probably update it whenever I go on another trip and get a better picture.