Avatars

[voraq]

I dont know where else to put this.

I would like to add a picture to my posting display although I can't figure out how.  I would appreciate it if someone could tell me how to do that.

Qapla'

[Kesvirit]

The pictures beside individual posts are called avatars. They are currently reserved for Forum staff.  It is an issue of  bandwidth, and therefore one of funds.

-=- Kesvirit

[voraq]

ok thanks for clearing that up

[kitajuriss]

it would have saved frustration and time if that little tidbit of information had been somewhere near the avatar option.
or better yet, removing that option for non-admins is a thought.

 

[Kesvirit]

Grrrr... I did not know that the "general use" option was activated.  Bear with us while we find the source of the problem and destroy it...

-=- Kesvirit

[Kapact]

I am trying to add an image to my sig.......is that also impossible?

Kapact

[Ambassador Lady K'Zin]

I am trying to add an image to my sig.......is that also impossible?

Kapact

No, that feature has been disabled, for the same reasons of bandwidth limitations... The KIDC website and the forums are extremely popular and eat up tremendous amounts of server space and bandwidth resources every month, and we must conserve as much as possible, or be forced to close them down for financial reasons. We'd rather limit some of the more "greedy" features that do not really affect the actual running of the forums, and also serve to speed it up for those who are on old dial-up lines, especially those who are overseas.

[Kapact]

and also serve to speed it up for those who are on old dial-up lines, especially those who are overseas.

like me, for example. Dial up, from New Zealand...........

fair enough.

Qatlho'

Kapact

[Ambassador Lady K'Zin]

it would have saved frustration and time if that little tidbit of information had been somewhere near the avatar option.
or better yet, removing that option for non-admins is a thought.

After a thorough search, it seems that there is only the option of turning the avatars totally on or off, and there is no way that we can find to enable it only for certain member groups such as Admins.

There is also no way to post it as a note near the avatar option. The best I could do, after a few hours of tinkering is to modify the FAQ files that refer to avatars, and that they are currently reserved for staff only and that we'll have to remove any others. Hopefully that might help with future queries, IF they actually think to look it up in the FAQ...

[tapez_sonof_chang]

you could have a sponsoring users group for those who contribute $$$ or time or whatever to the site rather then  going about it as they have now

[tmk1000]

Thats a thought.Or for members the have been on the forums the longest (hint,hint)

[qoSagh]

So if it can only be turned on or off for everybody, wouldn't that make it hard to control a select group like sponsors or senior members? I would think that a growing number of avatars would lead many new members to attempt it, thus leading to much deletion work for the admins. Although I do like the idea of allowing some as it gives members a goal to work towards.

[tapez_sonof_chang]

the goal of the forums would be to attempt to support the main functions of the Group and frankly that is not the case.

I would suggest that the preffered members be people who support this forum in some way whether trough meaningfull contributions time and  space wise or through  finacial or material support ( i.e $$$ or webspace).

The admin number can be expanded and controlled.  Considering how this could lead to a greater good for everyone i would suggest people consider seriously giving some thought to this.

[Kesvirit]

I would suggest that the preffered members be people who support this forum in some way whether trough meaningfull contributions time and space wise or through finacial or material support ( i.e $$$ or webspace).

This idea was also put forth by Lady K'Zin in the Forums' previous, pre-Crash life. I do not have access to or control over the server, merely the Forums. Anyone wishing to donate services or funds in exchange for some sort of patron-status avatar would need to contact Lady K'Zin directly via email.

The admin number can be expanded and controlled. Considering how this could lead to a greater good for everyone i would suggest people consider seriously giving some thought to this.

Different forum software packages vary in the degree to which different features can be assigned to different posters within the same group. Current Forum software is relatively limited in this regard. The former board system allowed for more options within a group, but was unstable and unpredictable.

The number of Administrators and Moderators is adequate for current board traffic. Furthermore, it is desirable to limit the number of people with the power to alter other members' posts and accounts, {Qochbe''a'?}*

So if it can only be turned on or off for everybody, wouldn't that make it hard to control a select group like sponsors or senior members? I would think that a growing number of avatars would lead many new members to attempt it, thus leading to much deletion work for the admins.

It does indeed, which is why it has its own post in the Forum Etiquette &Posting Guidelines section (where it says MUST READ BEFORE POSTING in capital letters }}:-\). By the time the person to whom I had sent a potential hack had evaluated it for compatability and installation with the Forums' software, I had received the following news from Lady K'Zin:

Her server bandwidth has been doubled, so we may eventually have the avatar option for all posters.  She will first have to decide how to allot it to her various domains and boards, and must then configure avatar feature limitations from that.  I do not know the extent of server space limitations and whether or not mmembers will be able to store their avatars within the klingon.org domain or must store them elsewhere and link them in.  

Her initial thoughts on the issue include a maximum pixel and file size (to be determined), that the avatars must be Klingon-related, and that the Forums' administratiors have the right to pull anything offensive. In addition, I hope that the Forums will be able to provide a selection of pre-made avatar options for those who are unable to make their own.

Note that none of this is certain, and that much work remains to be done before any new avatar policies materialize. Updates will be posted as they develop. Do not hold your breath as you may be mistaken for an Andorian and eventually a corpse.

-=- Kesvirit

*Agreed?

[qoSagh]

That uncertain information contained a great deal more promise than most certain stuff I've seen. The idea that avatars may be comming is a cool thought.

[q'Rhahk]

What is the forum software?  I have forums running on both invision and Vbulletin V3 so I could look in the controls and help you guys figure out what to set how if I knew what the nature of the challenge is.

That being said, it is possible in all but the most basic of forum scripts to allow off site hosting of avatars.  The mods would still be able to switch off an avatar if someone breaks the rules.  However, it would still be a good idea to limit the size of the files (also possible with most forum software) in order to be kind to those on dial-up.

[Ambassador Lady K'Zin]

As it says at the bottom of all the forum pages, the forums use Invision Software. However, we will be enabling avatars in the near future, as mentioned in our Klingon Avatar Design Challenge.

[Kesvirit]

Regarding avatar use, both current and future: please do not use any of the avatars currently available (Lady K'Zin's official portrait, zan Klythe's communications badge, or Kesvirit's pet Fluffy). They are reserved for exclusive use by the Forums' staff.

-=- Kesvirit

[qoSagh]

Since I can't reply to the contest threat, I will ask here...

I have over the years acquired a collection of Klingon pics, most of which I do not know the original source of. Some of these would make great avatars. If I read the rules right, they would not be allowed. As for the moderators/staff exclusive use, I wholeheartedly agree that there should be some limitations there, however the pic of fluffy and the com badge look like standard trek images which would not be allowed in the contest under the legal rights rule. This is all getting a might confusing.

Along the lines of Fluffy, I would love to use a pic of the Glommer, but since I don't own the rights I can not submit it. That brings up another point, the only artwork that I own outright has all been house based or organization specific. Would there be any chance of personal avatars that are not on the master list?

Just some thoughts on the subject.

[Kesvirit]

...however the pic of fluffy and the com badge look like standard trek images which would not be allowed in the contest under the legal rights rule. This is all getting a might confusing.

Agreed. Such issues had not occurred to me until I read Klythe's post to the Avatar Design Challenge thread.

I believe that such usage would be covered by the Obligatory Disclaimer at the bottom of the KIDC's Main Menu page as the Forums are part of the klingon.org domain and part of the KIDC's site. If that is inadequate, perhaps we can set up a separate thread listing source and copyright information for CYA purposes. I have sent a message to Lady K'Zin and will make a follow-up post as soon as I receive an answer.

If you cannot make one I will be glad to submit a Glommer avatar. Unfortunately it will be similar in resolution to the ones pictured in the Glommer thread. The only images I could find appear to be screen grabs from old VHS animations, and my graphics application is feeble with age.

-=- Kesvirit

[qoSagh]

I already have the Glommer one ready to go, oddly enough the best (in my opinion) of the ones you posted, was exactly 100 by 100, I was going to submit it until I read the rules. As for CYA stuff, I was under the impression that the Fair Use Docterine allowed uses of images as long as noone was making a profit on them, but I'm not sure. I know they can be used for educational purposes, and we do learn from each other on this site, although that might be a legal stretch.

[Klythe]

Well, I was mostly referring to original art.   On-screen images I believe fall under the Fair Use clause, but if  someone else captured and editted the picture, theu are likely going to get upset if someone stole thier art and posted it as thier own.

    I don't see any compliance problems if someone capturede and sized or otherwise manipulated the image themselves.   but if you just ripped the graphic off another trek site and submited it without creditting the original artist, you are in effect stealing thier art and claiming that you did the work yourself.  Clearly such dishonor cannot be tolerated.  There is a lot of grey area.  I hope submitters will use thier best judgement.

[qoSagh]

As long as the good judgement rule is there, thats cool. Anything I was going to submit, I would either list the source, or if I didn't know/remember the source I would say that. Besides who knows, I could submit an avatar like that and it might not make the list. Thats the interesting thing about contests, not everybody wins.

[Abbot Nej vIt]

I Was "Not Authorized" to reply to the Design Contest Thread, So I will Post my Question Here...

This Has Been Up for Quite Some time Now... But No Updates... I Have Designed a Few Nifty )OR I Think that they are Nifty anyway...<Grin>...) Avatars here and there over the Past Year and a Half... I am No Artist But they are Not Bad... Problem Is I am Not Clear on a Couple of Points....

1- Is this an Actual Contest? Or Do You Folks Just Need Some Kewl Klingon Related Avatars?

2- If it Is a Contest, does that Mean Only 1 Winner? Or Only a Few Winners?

3- In Total What Kinds of Numbers are You Looking For for Avatars? (12, 50, 250)?

4- Are there Limits on the Number Of Entries per Person?

5- Are there Limits on the Number of Submissions per Person that Would be Used?

6- Has Anyone Submitted any Artwork to date?

7- I Would VERY much like to Participate, but There are a Lot of Rules around Here So I Want to be Clear about What I am Doing.

[Kesvirit]

I Was "Not Authorized" to reply to the Design Contest Thread, So I will Post my Question Here...

I am puzzled by that, as That Should Not Be. I ask for your paience while I investigate the labrynth of the Forums' software settings. I am convinced that they are host to a pod of {De'wI' pat luDanbogh veqlarghpu'}*, wily creatures who are well-suited to evade even the most skilled hunters...

This Has Been Up for Quite Some time Now... But No Updates...

I regret that I cannot answer your questions, and agree that four months is too long to go without an update. I will try to contact the Lady K'zin. It is she who must approve and install the new avatars.

I do have a partial answer for #6: My most recent information (29 Jan.) I and two others had submitted avatars. In my opinion they all suffered because the details did not reduce well to the 100x100 pixel size.

-=- Kesvirit

*computer dwelling demons