Nonsense
 

The entire discussion is nonsense. If you don't want to look at avatars, go into MyFlyertalk and turn off the avatar feature. Once you turn it off, you won't see any avatars.

Thanks for your respect for differing viewpoints. My opinion was that it adds a cluttered look that isn't desirable by default, regardless of the fact that it can be disabled. Remember, there are a lot of lurkers who don't register for whatever reasons: because they don't intend to post, for privacy... And people don't have time to register with every forum they ever visit, so the default appearance makes a first impression for better or for worse.

Blah Blah Blah
 

The default should be for the board, not the forum. If you can't take the time to register, you should not take the time to complain. Leave the decision up to the user, not just to a few who want it all their way. I may or may not view avatars, but you should not influence what I decide to do.

Sorry to break it to you, but I'm just another user expressing my opinion, just like you. Ultimately it will be Randy that will decide what to do (unless he already has).

And I think you missed the point I was trying to make (obviously I did take the time to register, long ago or I wouldn't be posting here), which is that the initial impression people get of the "look-and-feel" of the board matters, which by definition occurs before they have registered. Signal-to-noise ratio is incredibly important and a big part of what makes FlyerTalk stand out from the crowd.

There are two points of discussion:

1. You feel avatars are bad and would scare off new potential members / posters.

2. You don't like avatars and feel that no one should be able to have them.

Well, item 1.... if all it takes to scare off a new member / poster is an avatar.... well... I am not sure what to say. I find that in general the info on the boards is so useful that avatars alone will not scare off someone. The use of multiple handles and posting for the sole purpose of starting flame wars will scare off one.

2. I like and desire avatars. The software gives the ability for those who do not like avatars to turn them off. What a great feature. Everyone can have their cake and eat it to. Would seem to me this is the fare solution.

But as you said, Randy will make the decision. Just a shame you want a one way street where only you are happy! I on the other hand think it is great to give people the choice.

Not a question of scaring anybody, just a visual clutter/distraction. Personal opinion.

I suppose I wouldn't mind allowing people to have the option — or even, in fact, having registered users default to the option to see the avatars (first impressions no longer being a factor). I just think that for non-registered/non-logged-in users not showing them would likely be a better default.

for avatars
 

adds a little more personality. Need to be worksafe, tasteful, not even a stupid animated gif.. figure most would put their pics, airline or something tasteful.

my two cents.

Well..after all this talk of Avatars, I logged on to the LiveChat area, and guess what I saw? Avatars. A small selection of pre-defined avatars. Most are Airline logo's so obviously FT put them there. They dont clutter, do nothing to the speed of the site and give the poster a little identity.

Why could this not be the model for FT as a whole?

Live Chat I believe is a third party server and is not using the resources of Flyer Talk. I would still like to see avatars, and so far there have been very few valid reasons to withold them. Although, I could see a few trouble makers making up fake user names and posting porno and then this would cause an issue.

Agreed. This could be easily remedied by using only FT-Supplied avatars. You only get to choose from the ones provided...no user supplied images. This would also satisfy those who claim "clutter". They could be small, as they are on the Live Chat.