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MCSPOCKY

The main thing wrong with America, is lack of empathy and compassion for others.
Articles Posted: 58  Links Seeded: 787
Member Since: 4/2010  Last Seen: 10/15/2010

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Free Newsvine Avatars

News Type: Other — Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:40 AM EDT
avatars
By McSpocky
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I noticed a lot of people still using the default green Newsvine avatar, so I decided to make some new ones for people to use if they wish. (About 24 so far) I will be glad to make custom ones for people too, if requested, and as I have the time.

They are all available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcspocky/

Enjoy!

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  • Groups: Artsvine, Designography, MetaVine, NewsVine Addicts, Newsvine Anti-Spam, Resources, Tricuspidata
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  • Public Discussion (51)
Extremist Moderate

I think the green avatar serves a valuable purpose, which your proposed service....although altruistic and surely with the best of intentions....severely undermines. A big part of Newsvine is establishing who you are, through the comments you make, the stories you feel compelled to share with others as seeds, and the creativity and passion that is demonstrated by the contribution of articles. And the avatar is sort of the visual component (with the username as the textual) that serves as the first introduction of someone new to a particular newsviner.

This is just my way of looking at things, so please don't be offended by my honesty...its quite possible I am the only one sharing this view and most will see the value in your purpose. I just know that the seeing a green avatar is my first clue as to whether or not someone actually has a interest in expressing their creativity or takes the site serious enough to come up with an avatar, however abstract, that represents them......

  • 6 votes
#1 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:06 PM EDT
Seagull

my first clue as to whether or not someone actually has a interest in expressing their creativity or takes the site serious enough to come up with an avatar

It may also mean, rather than lack of interest, they don't have the "technical" knowledge how to do it. I spent quite some time trying to work out how people gave themselves a little "picture" - until I found out quite accidently how to. Prior to that I had some terrible results - maybe if I had then known about ".jpg" files I may have fared better (see #2.4 - this is the first I knew). Obviously I have no great depth of knowledge with computers - I just barge ahead where angels fear to tread.

  • 9 votes
#1.1 - Sun Aug 1, 2010 1:21 AM EDT
McSpocky

It may also mean, rather than lack of interest, they don't have the "technical" knowledge how to do it.

That was my thought when I put these together.

  • 12 votes
#1.2 - Sun Aug 1, 2010 2:25 AM EDT
Theresa N

One of the most intelligent and contributory members of the Vine has a green Avatar. Perhaps he actually prefers it that way.

  • 5 votes
#1.3 - Mon Aug 2, 2010 6:59 AM EDT
McSpocky

That's cool. I just put these up or anyone who would like something different, and who doesn't have the technical skill to make one of their own. :)

  • 3 votes
#1.4 - Mon Aug 2, 2010 9:59 AM EDT
neoatg

thanks they all look nice, but I'll stick to the stupid picture I drew some time ago.

  • 1 vote
#1.5 - Mon Aug 2, 2010 10:05 AM EDT
Angel_C

While I understand that some new users may have a problem understanding uploading a photo, I do believe in having something to show that you are a regular, participating member. As a group moderator of Peacevine, Homeless Issues, Activism, Cultural Understanding and co-moderator of some others, I don't readily admit a person with a green head and no comment threads. If they have a green head and some comments, I'll go check their pages before deciding. Activism is a huge group and about once a year I go through and boot everyone with a green head as I figure they aren't using us or have left Newsvine. This is just my particular approach, not a company policy.

I admire your spunkiness here McSpocky. I love making avatars, too.

  • 5 votes
#1.6 - Tue Aug 3, 2010 7:00 PM EDT
Peter Faden

I think some people just lack motivation. However, to me, playing around with avatars is kind of fun. For my friend Jalmeno, an avatar has actual meaning that represents your newsvine identity. For my friend Robyn, its an expression of her sexuality (mostly)...etc....green background lacks expression and is just boring. Even if you lack motivation, how difficult is it to just download some random pic and put it up...at least it gives people something to look at.
IMO

  • 5 votes
#2 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:42 PM EDT
Extremist Moderate

I think some people just lack motivation. However, to me, playing around with avatars is kind of fun.

I fully understand your interest in playing with avatar, its what motivates you to do so. I also agree with your statement that some people simply lack the motivation to do so. But motivation is the key to quality content and originality, which is what I wish were the objective of all contributing members at Newsvine. But the reality is that some wish to copy the work of others and profit from it with minimal effort or additional contribution of their own. We see them everywhere, from the spammers and SEO who try and linkfarm the site, to the plagiarists who simple scrape the news and blogs for content to seed which they offer no new insight or revealing dialogue via moderation. I think the individual creation of one's avatar is the starting point at which one reveals something about who they are, but what their intent is regarding quality (however they define it, which may differ from my own) of what they hope to add to this site.

I am not "dissing" your article in any way, as I recognize it a honest and genuine effort to contribute to the value of the site and its users. I hope to simply convey my view that sometimes making things to easy for members actually acttracts those who have no interest in the hard part of a community's purpose, which in this case is supposed to be contributing creative original work, or offering informative insight into the work of others.

Again, I hope you do not interpret this as an attack on you or your efforts, but instead recognize it as my own attempt to offer insight, my perspective on the possible consequences of your article and its purpose...

  • 7 votes
#2.1 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:31 PM EDT
Extremist Moderate

I hope you don't mind if I clipped this article to a number of groups whose membership might both appreciate its intent and/or offer more perspectives of on the nature of its contribution to the community as a whole. If this broader exposure is not something you are comfortable with, you are welcome to delete this comment and I will remove it from those groups with my sincerest apologies...

  • 9 votes
#2.2 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 10:04 PM EDT
Sir Richard Owen

Even if you lack motivation, how difficult is it to just download some random pic and put it up...at least it gives people something to look at.

Especially when Google says there's 342 million sites offering free avatars.

  • 4 votes
#2.3 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 10:48 PM EDT
Sir Richard Owen

I should have added that any file uploaded to Newsvine has to be in .JPG format, so that rules out animated GIF's for avatars, which I find to be sad, because I've seen a few I would like to use.

  • 4 votes
#2.4 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:13 PM EDT
Peter Faden

No way to convert them?

  • 2 votes
#2.5 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:16 PM EDT
Sir Richard Owen

Newsvine is using 3 different sizes for avatars: 120x120; 60x60; and 30x30. A JPG picture is just a single picture. It can be resized on the fly when it is uploaded. An animated GIF contains a picture (frame) for every movement in the animation. There could be hundreds of frames in a single animation. To resize it, it has to be dismantled, each frame resized, and then reassembled and tested, for each of 3 avatar sizes. That means it's a manual operation. Newsvine Staff doesn't have the manpower or the time to do this.

  • 2 votes
#2.6 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:48 PM EDT
McSpocky

Extremist Moderate

I hope you don't mind if I clipped this article to a number of groups whose membership might both appreciate its intent and/or offer more perspectives of on the nature of its contribution to the community as a whole. If this broader exposure is not something you are comfortable with, you are welcome to delete this comment and I will remove it from those groups with my sincerest apologies...

That is absolutely fine. Clip all you want. :)

  • 5 votes
#2.7 - Sun Aug 1, 2010 12:32 AM EDT
Grammar-phobe

Oh my gosh, how creative of you. I especially love the badger! Hahahaha The badger would definitely fit the personality of some people on the political threads!

  • 6 votes
#3 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:13 PM EDT
mtherof3

How nice of you! : )

  • 4 votes
#4 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:10 PM EDT
A. Macarthur

A wonderful gesture ... with high quality offerings ... now that's top drawer.

  • 5 votes
#5 - Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:14 PM EDT
McSpocky

Thank you for the compliments everyone.

  • 4 votes
#6 - Sun Aug 1, 2010 12:33 AM EDT
StevG-144

McSpocky Your class shows through again.....

  • 6 votes
#6.1 - Sun Aug 1, 2010 7:06 PM EDT
AKCS

Thumbs up, McS! I'm currently using one of my D-n-D avatars, but I'll put some thought into what I'd really like my visual representative on the Vine to say. Once I get it figured out, we'll talk OK?

  • 2 votes
#7 - Sun Aug 1, 2010 3:01 AM EDT
McSpocky

Sure, I enjoy making them. Just let me know what you want when you are ready...

  • 5 votes
#7.1 - Sun Aug 1, 2010 3:07 AM EDT
Theresa N

It's a really nice gesture which again helps out the Vine, McSpocky. If you or anyone else would like to explain how to download your avatars or those from other sites, that would be optimal. Some really do lack the technical skills and need to be walked thru the process from the very beginning. I spent an entire night w/NV staff helping me to download my Rose. I thought I would lose my mind. But I do love it, and it was worth all efforts.

BTW, I like your animal avatars the best so far, and if I had to pick my fav, it would be the squirrel..........well done!!

  • 2 votes
#8 - Mon Aug 2, 2010 7:05 AM EDT
McSpocky

Thank you. I've been thinking about making an instructional piece for setting up avatars. I think I will do that soon. :)

I went through the process of helping a friend do that for both a personal avatar and a group avatar just a couple of days ago. I was thinking about that then...

  • 2 votes
#8.1 - Mon Aug 2, 2010 10:01 AM EDT
Mighty Mouth

McSpocky, a lovely idea - but I've been having the same problem as Theresa N - It's the downloading, there's surely a gremlin in the works given it's such a devil of a job to do - What a shame, I'd love a customized avatar! I'm truly heartened to discover others are experiencing the same problem, I thought it was just me - It's true - 'Misery loves company!' lol

  • 3 votes
#9 - Tue Aug 3, 2010 12:17 PM EDT
Theresa N

Mighty, my eyes were fairly well glazed over by the time I'd actually done it, with NV help. Rottlady (one of the NV guides) was real good to step in here to help you. It took me a couple of hours to understand how to "re-size" my Rose over the greenie, and as I recall that was the worst of it. Finally when it dropped in correctly, I just thought I was going to burst with joy.

But, I also didn't know how to go onto a (free) site and transfer my avatar into "My Pictures" at that time either. So it's really a step by step from the very start for some of us.

If you are having problem above what RL and I have said, please write back. McSpocky or Peter or another might be back to help more. Don't give up............there are several steps and you are not alone trying to understand it all.

And PS maybe McSpocky will write that article.............(hint, hint)

  • 2 votes
#9.1 - Tue Aug 3, 2010 10:57 PM EDT
Mighty Mouth

Thank you Theresa, you're right - it's how to go onto a free site and transfering the potential avatar into 'my pictures' - then the 're-sizing'. Having read a few of the posts, I think I may well have worked out where I was going wrong! So thanks again, one and all - And T. I do recognise the elation once you've managed it, I was doing a jig! LOL

  • 5 votes
#9.2 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 9:00 AM EDT
Peter Faden

Mighty, i can indeed help you if you still need it my friend. :)

  • 4 votes
#9.3 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 8:43 PM EDT
Theresa N

Mighty, you found such a lovely avatar. Why not write us an article using that as inspiration? (hint, hint...........). It's all there inside you, bring it out.

  • 1 vote
#9.4 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 12:04 AM EDT
McSpocky

Mighty Mouth

McSpocky, a lovely idea - but I've been having the same problem as Theresa N - It's the downloading, there's surely a gremlin in the works given it's such a devil of a job to do - What a shame, I'd love a customized avatar!

I was just going to check with you about what kind of avatr you wanted, but I see you have gotten a nice one already. I just noticed your message. lol Sorry about that.

  • 4 votes
#9.5 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 2:14 AM EDT
Mighty Mouth

Peter, dear friend thank you so very much - I'll keep you in mind should I need your helping hand.

Theresa, you are generous, as you are kind - I hear your encouraging words - I am working on it. Thank you!

McSpocky, although I quite like my avatar, there's room for improvement. I've been toying with an idea about a roaring lion - Or Animal, the drummer from the muppets with his big mouth open. So if the offer's still open - I'll let you know?

  • 3 votes
#9.6 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 1:54 PM EDT
McSpocky

Sure, so you want me to make one then?

  • 3 votes
#9.7 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 3:43 PM EDT
Mighty Mouth

I'd love one, thank you! but only when it's mutually convenient as you expressed in your article. My current avatar is relatively new - so I'll be looking for a change within the next three or four months?

  • 3 votes
#9.8 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 4:44 PM EDT
McSpocky

Ok, just let me know when you're ready for a change. :)

  • 3 votes
#9.9 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 4:59 PM EDT
rottlady

McSprocky,I have this in my notepad files for use when someone asks me how to upload an avatar. Maybe this will help you. Feel free to add/change anything.

Changing your avatar really isn't that had, one thing you must do first is have a picture that you want to use located on your computer already. It should be a picture that you own, or have found on the net that had a copywrite of "Creative commons". It has to be already on your computer though so if you go find one on the net, be sure to copy it to your "My Picture" file.

Once you have done that, you do these steps:

At the top of any page is a list and one of the items is "Customize Column"

Click that then click "About" you will see your old avatar (picture) click change/remove and follow the instructions.

It's all pretty automatic. One thing I forgot to mention is when you start to upload your avatar to Newsvine, you will need to have your "popup blocker" turned off. Because it's a pop-up window that you load your picture from.

I hope that helps.

  • 5 votes
#10 - Tue Aug 3, 2010 8:39 PM EDT
McSpocky

Thanks! I'll use that as a start in putting together some instructions. :)

  • 3 votes
#10.1 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 4:54 AM EDT
rottlady

Sounds good, thanks!

  • 3 votes
#10.2 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 7:41 AM EDT
McSpocky

Here's what I ended up with. Let me know if it looks ok, or needs any changes.
http://illuminate.newsvine.com/_news/2010/08/04/4818977-changing-your-newsvine-avatar

  • 2 votes
#10.3 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 11:55 PM EDT
rottlady

It's great, I'm clipping it to my private clippings for future questions!

  • 3 votes
#10.4 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 6:41 AM EDT
McSpocky

Cool! :)

  • 2 votes
#10.5 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 9:05 AM EDT
mstanley2265

:( we still need one for the deja vu group...I'm outta thoughts...

  • 2 votes
#11 - Tue Aug 3, 2010 10:16 PM EDT
Peter Faden

this one is cool.

  • 2 votes
#11.1 - Tue Aug 3, 2010 10:47 PM EDT
Peter Faden

didnt know there was a deja vu group, but i feel like we've had this conversation before....(would love an invite though)

  • 4 votes
#11.2 - Tue Aug 3, 2010 10:48 PM EDT
McSpocky

If you still need one for the deja vu group, you could use this one that I made if you like.
http://i33.tinypic.com/15d9rub.jpg

Whatever you use for an avatar, I could make you a matching header graphic if you like...

  • 3 votes
#11.3 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 8:11 AM EDT
Peter Faden

That's a pretty cool one McSpocky. We should have a vote on potentials for the group. There arent that many members yet, so it shouldnt get bogged down.

  • 1 vote
#11.4 - Thu Aug 5, 2010 10:18 PM EDT
mstanley2265

Invite on the way and there you'll see the HELP! article for the avatar thingy...put them up for a vote...let me know...or hey you'all want to be like what is it admin? then you can put the avatar up. Thank you Thank you....love you guys hugs your way....

  • 2 votes
#12 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 2:43 PM EDT
Peter Faden

mstanley....i appreciate the invite. Gladly accepted. If you still would like an admin, I'd be happy to do so, and will throw avatars up until everybody settles on one. :)

  • 1 vote
#12.1 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 8:42 PM EDT
mstanley2265

great will set you up ...big huge smile

  • 2 votes
#12.2 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 9:25 PM EDT
Peter Faden

Sweet! I'll check in on it when i get back to the store i'm about to got to. :)

  • 2 votes
#12.3 - Wed Aug 4, 2010 9:28 PM EDT
Alex, Lou KY

Squirrel!

  • 2 votes
#13 - Fri Aug 6, 2010 6:21 AM EDT
McSpocky

So you're going to use the squirrel?

After you save a copy to your computer, here's how to use it.
http://illuminate.newsvine.com/_news/2010/08/04/4818977-changing-your-newsvine-avatar

  • 2 votes
#13.1 - Fri Aug 6, 2010 6:33 AM EDT
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