Ditto from my perspective too. ^

Is this just the controversy, of real or feigned outrage, "needed" in order to ramp up interest and vote counts? :D

I always intended to vote but had forgotten about it until I saw someone's "I voted" avatar. So it was a helpful reminder for at least myself.

I, too, don't see what the big deal is.

Am I missing something? I haven't seen any voting logos? Does this disappear for those of us who are FT premium users?

Anyway, does it really matter who knows whether you've voted or not? As others have put it, somewhat more succinctly than I, it's not as if TB is a form of government or the like. At the end of the day, IJAIBB.....

The issue to me is that, by slapping the avatar on and not telling people that you can turn it off, it is forcing people to wear the sticker until they figure out that they don't have to wear it at all. This is why, IMO, the "I Voted" sticker analogy in real life isn't comparable -- the poll worker doesn't come and slap the sticker on you, then not tell you that you can take it off.

I'm glad to know that the avatar can be removed. I just wish that this were better noted up front, though.

Mike

In your profile, there is an "Enable Avatars" checkbox.

Maybe Karl Rove is doing a bit of side work at FT? ;)

Wow GU, I think you may be on to something here ;)

When I first saw the "I voted" tag, I immediately thought, "oh my," and I agree with airbus320 and the initial sentiment of Shareholder that these tags are a bad idea and ought to be removed.

A related question: For a FTer who hasn't voted, could they still go and activate the "I Voted" avatar (without actually voting)?

I obviously can't test this myself, having already voted!

This method is a result of the U.S. having been formed in the 1770s from colonies that had equal status and wanted to retain some measure of equality despite size differences. It hardly renders "the very concept of democracy meaningless."

This is simply not true. The U.S. requires those wishing to vote in a primary, where each party's nominee is chosen, to indicate which party's candidate they want to help select. Most other countries also have some method by which only the members of a party select that party's candidate. This has nothing to do with the final election, is in no way a statement of intention, and is in any case not required.

If you want to comments on the election system of a country other than your own, it would be a good idea to learn the facts of its system first. (It would also be a good idea, as previously posted, to make those comments where they are on-topic.)

The first I knew of this logo existing was after reading this thread.

As ScottC mentions above, it was not discussed by the present TalkBoard, or advised to us.

I am actually not against the broad concept, as a high voter turnout ensures a more representative TalkBoard reflecting a wide vote. ^

I do however feel the post below does address an important issue.



So far no-one except this post has commented on why there are (at least) two different avatars around.

I am not sure why more than one Avatar design is needed, if it was decided by Admin that an "I voted" designator was good policy.

I personally would be offended to have the USA red/white/blue flag one next to my handle, as I am not American. As would many non Americans I feel sure. And would be appalled to find an Uncle Sam head there just as much. That is just ridiculous.

FT its a truly international board, and TalkBoard itself always has a good representation of non American residents among its members. Indeed it was a written requirement for that to be the case until quite recently.

Is that is what that one is all about - only USA registered voters get the red/white/blue flag type one? And if so why - as some folks do not publicly indicate their place of residence to FT.

Or maybe several other designs will be rolled out -- one a day etc. A Coca Cola logo on Thursday, a Donald Duck one on Saturday and a Bald Eagle one for Tuesday voters?

Randy or techs can perhaps advise on whether that kind of thing is in the pipeline? However, I see USA voters who have the gold FT logo one as I do and I respectfully suggest one logo, and one logo only is reverted to.

Glen

Yes. I haven't voted yet (waiting for the bribes to come in still), but I can enable the avatar.

Still, Much Ado About Nothing IMO...

I was operating under the assumption that the default avatar selection was the FT logo "I voted" avatar and not the US flag "I voted" avatar. Is that correct?

Perhaps more non-US-based persons can test this out. :D More international representation and voting is something I certainly favor around here. :)

I 100% agree. I live in the US and when I saw the two choices I could not understand why the US flag was one of the choices. This website is about diversity. Wasn't that one of the questions our candidates had to answer too??