Free Newsvine Avatars

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.

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

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

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

No way to convert them?

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.

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)

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

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

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.

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?

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?

this one is cool.

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

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.

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. :)

great will set you up ...big huge smile

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