Let me start by saying that I agree for the most part with what you say, and certainly wouldn't want to see a ton of smilies added, as they are primarily a disctration. But to actually try and answer your question, assuming the TalkBoard is willing to consider such minor adjustments, I can think of another three smilies that would seem "relevant" here on FT, and could even replace certain existing ones. For example, I think some aviation related avatars would be cool, maybe an airplane (perhaps to replace the star, since I never quite knew what that was for), or maybe a smilie or some sort to represent an upgrade not clearing or tight coach pitch. Just ideas, but I can definitely see a few that would seem logical.

That being said, I really wouldn't want to see 100's of smilies like some other boards have, especially moving ones, which are very distracting and take away from the maturity of the website, IMO.

Let me see if I can find some specific smilies (maybe three or so) from another website that I feel would make a good addition to the current ones.

Here are some smilies from http://forums.slickdeals.net/misc.php?do=showsmilies
that I think could improve goodwill on FT.

:heart:
:worship: (for a superb post)
:grouphug:
:nono1: for moderator use only
:scratch: (pondering)
:applause:
:blush: (the current icon looks like someone sleeping)
:surrendr:
:clap:
:evil: (for slightly naughty ideas)
:Popcorn: (for shaming food fighters into silence)
:secret:
:doh: (an animated version of this would be even better)
:sheep: (a different one chosen by Jenbel for those sheepish moments)

Here are a few not on that list that we could make good use of:

:middle: a smilie squeezed between two super-size smilies (=middle seat)
:relax: a smilie viewed from the side reclined in a biz class seat
:1stprize: a blue ribbon for a great achievement

Also, the stick out tongue smilie isn't perfect for "neener neener", so I would welcome a change or addition there. I agree that the star is not very useful because its meaning is unclear. If the above smilies are added, we might be able to delete the thumbs up and thumbs down as well.

This coming from a man who doesn't carry a cell phone when traveling

Count me against adding more visual elements, whether they be avatars or photos or animated smilies. I find all that distracting when I go to a board for information. Plus when dial-up is all I have available, sites with more graphics take longer to load and navigate. FT is slow enough as is on dial-up.

I'm not sure I agree with your detective work, Punki.

I counted only 1 moderator in this thread who is in favor of avatars and many more who are not.

Randy, how about these points previously made in this thread:

With names removed from the above quotes, do you think these good points stand on their own?

If permitted, I'd like to step back a second so that some of you can appreciate where i am coming from in my posts to this issue and this thread. I'm coming from a much different point-of-view than you might assume. I have absolutely no problem with Punki or yours or any other members POV.

What I am grappling with here is what i had hoped FlyerTalk to be. You've suggested that this Web site is a good reference for additional emoticons: SlickDeals as examples of emoticons that can express additional feelings toward either a topic or a member. Honestly, that is not at all what i thought we were doing in creating FlyerTalk. The two brands or Web sites that I am more closely comfortable with for being my virtual mentors is Fodors.comand Conde Nast Traveler. At neither of these well known and very professional brands Web sites, do you see anything close to the topic we are discussing here. These two are what i had hoped we might become. But, as it is, when i first decided years ago to allow input and a share of the direction of FlyerTalk, I perhaps naievely thought that those members who had grow along with my direction of FlyerTalk, would recognize this and want to continue that path, or more appropriately, that aspiration. Perhaps I'm wrong, perhaps i just don't get it any more. If that's what it is, then cool, I'll step aside and hope that FlyerTalk makes those decisions that can best represent the rest of its members. But for me, I remain committed to making FlyerTalk just a cut above the others and as a result, I will state my challenge to this idea.

With all due respect to Randy, the moderators and punki, I really wish the idea of similies and avatars could be vigorously debated based on the pros and cons of the idea itself, not the larger moderation controversy from the TB election. (See my previous post where I deleted the member names... I think not judging them based on who posted them make a stronger point)

I would have hoped that once a consensus was reached, THEN the proposal would be vetted by the Moderators since yes, they are in the trenches, reading every post, every day and would bare the brunt of any impact. Kudos to Randy for allowing everyone a voice in his board, but at some point Randy you need to give these debates some process order.

However, I feel many have done a disservice to FlyerTalk by injecting their personal opinions. The debate was much more even pro vs con until punki posted. Of course she could have been more tactful and understanding of what moderators actually do in her responses, so in the end we all lose out.

Since I've likely offended EVERYONE, I'll finish this and go back to my usual threads.

I am that one, right.

I know I am a fan of a photo avatar... and I know I would not turn off the feature... just as I do not turn off signatures... I feel it is my "job" as a moderator to monitor everything... and would do the same for images.

I personally do not believe we need a separate image monitor group... just as we did not need a separate signature group.

I do think that these could add to the overall experience on the website. I truly do believe it brings "life" to posts and posters.

But I am only one person... a big person... but still just one.

I don't think anyone has been dwelling on the election in this thread.

However, the concern about the added burden of moderation is a valid one, in my opinion. Other TalkBoard members may feel differently.

Actually, I was thinking of alanw, so we're up to 2 moderators in favor.

Times change Randy, especially in internet years. Who would have predicted MySpace and Facebook to become so popular? Fodors is booooring and I'm guessing the average user is 40+. I'm a firm believer that you can keep the elegance and core of FlyerTalk while selectively adding a few cool visual elements without it turning into the junk that SlickDeals site is. The key is no animation or flashing and limits to the number of smilies while giving users the choice to see them or just the plain text. FlyerTalk needs new blood, younger blood, but the under 30 crowd is accustomed to more visual tools and ability to quickly make a point without having to write a diatribe.

If I have time this weekend, I will play with photoshop and attempt a mock-up of how I'd visualize a few additions to FlyerTalk and send it to you.

In what forums do people post their own images as photo-avatars?

I'm aware that there are DO photo collections where individual FlyerTalkers are named, but it is my impression that most Internet users have the sense to obfuscate their real-life whenever possible.

If I were to post a photo-avatar (and I would not) It would certainly not be an image of me. I'm not quite sure how you would go about moderating that.

You are a class act, Randy. ^

He certainly is ^