Poll: Avatar or Name?

[Khedive Rex]

I tend to do both. The avavtar is what I look at but I have a sort of photographic memory so when I see the picture I also tend to know the name of the poster. Or vica-versa.

I also agree with Anarchemitis, avatars should be simple iconic and easy to remember. When theres too much going on the eye just glazes over and only recognizes the general colors and shapes.

 

[SilentHunter7]

Do the 'H's in my name annoy you?

Slightly.

I like simple iconic avatars that are easy to remember (see left).
An object in the middle of white space draws the eye, it makes a good focal point. And the name is like an introductory 'Hello', so it has to be something a bit iconic as well. This is why I think the popularization of numbered names is such a travesty.

Well, the 7 in my name resulted after SilentHunter on Xbox Live was taken, and instead of coming up with a new name, I appended my favorite number to the end. Since then, I've always registered everywhere as SilentHunter7, even when the name without the number was available. When I tried re-registering on Xbox Live after a brief period of not renewing my subscription, I found that 7 was taken. I was heart broken.

 

[Yan-Yan]

A little of Column A, all of Column B for me. I use the Avatar's for "fast reference" and the name for confirmation. But even that doesn't always work as I have the memory of a sea slug. For the most part though, if I see a particular Avatar, I'll expect a certain style of posting: especially if the Avatar is one that is unique and consistent. Otherwise I don't put too much faith in who's behind that image.

 

[Novajam]

Bit of both. Some people have Avatars that stick out, so you can tell it's them straight away. But then there's people who don't use an Avatar, or people with really similar avatars(e.g. Everyone on these forums with a Fallout avatar), so you gotta go on name for them.

 

[PurpleRain]

If purps changes his avatar we will all plunge in darkness =|

i was thinking of changing it to another Rain picture or Prince. The last one would scare too many people and new people probably won't get the joke and think I'm a Prince fan (shudders). Nah, I like it the way it is. I've grown accustom to Anarchemitis, Larenxis, Saskwach and a few others who haven't changed.

 

[Conqueror Kenny]

Mostly I just glance at Avatars. I was totally confused when Haliwali changed his and the new ones take a day or so to get used to but after that I am fine. I am only just getting used to my new one.

 

[Johnn Johnston]

When Kenny changed his, I was a little thrown but I recognise by both.

I recognise a few people well - I just need to read the post and I can tell who posted it by the avatar in my peripheral vision. With others, I link the avatar to the person (so I picture Purps subconciously like his avatar, and Jallil Vlos as slightly blurred).

I was totally confused when Haliwali changed his name...

Is Haliwali his current name or his old one? I don't recall a Haliwali...

 

[Eiseman]

I'm a visual-oriented person anyway, so it's definitely the Avatar I use as a reference.

That's why I appreciate forums that allow for custom-made avatars, as it helps users stand out with a personalized icon, rather than drawing from a pre-made stock that may end up used by another, or several people.

 

[Dante_Alucard]

bra size?

 

[Conqueror Kenny]

I was totally confused when Haliwali changed his name...

Is Haliwali his current name or his old one? I don't recall a Haliwali...

What, I don't know what you are quoting because I never said that. He changed his picture not name.

 

[Necromantic-Nerd-of-Doom]

I tend to glance at a members avatar instead of the name but it doesnt catch me off guard when they change it. Arrrrrrr I should find a better avatar.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

My avi is custom made, so I don't really see a reason to change it... unless I get a better one made for me.

 

[Thais]

It used to be a lot easier 3 months ago. Then all you guys showed up and I start losing track of who's who (I'm not very good with names and faces.) Begin the Purge!

*vomits* Oh...sorry...guess you meant the other kind of purge...

 

[John Galt]

The visual aid of pictures fits perfectly with my mental age of a first grader

Agreed, whenever someone changes their avatar for the first time in a few months, I go sit in the corner and eat paste. It just totally blows my mind.

 

[Conqueror Kenny]

My avi is custom made, so I don't really see a reason to change it... unless I get a better one made for me.

Is it really? My google powers are epic.

 

[Break]

I just need to read the post and I can tell who posted it by the avatar in my peripheral vision.

This would be me, too. If I don't recognise the poster by the avatar, and the post itself doesn't say anything meaningful, I don't really bother to check who it is. I make sure to remember the names and avatars of interesting people, tho'.

Is Haliwali his current name or his old one? I don't recall a Haliwali...

Is really funny. Really. For all kinds of reasons. Wow.

By the bye, Haliwali's new avatar is pretty indisdinct. Might like to take a look at that.

 

[Copter400]

It used to be a lot easier 3 months ago. Then all you guys showed up and I start losing track of who's who (I'm not very good with names and faces.) Begin the Purge!

Racial Cleansing Bear!

 

[SteinFaust]

i realize their real names when i get to know them. you see, the other forums i have been on were inhabited by the same people several times, so i've come to know most of them by their real names. but i'm new here (relatively) and this place is alot bigger than the other places i've been on, so i don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

My avi is custom made, so I don't really see a reason to change it... unless I get a better one made for me.

Is it really? My google powers are epic.

It IS as a matter of fact, though I didn't draw it.