"That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.)

M · May 5 2009, 05:42 AM

Hey folks, an idea for something we could do on this board crossed my mind the other day and now I'm eager to know what my fellow Trek BBS posters think about it. And please be nice to me, as I'm not prepared for my idea to be shot down.

I like to think of this whole site as a true community. Now, I know that many here despise the mere thought of social networking sites. And really, I do, too. If it wasn't for my band's MySpace profile I'd probably not come anywhere near MySpace. But I found that this board can serve similar functions. Granted, I don't know everyone around here. Hell, I don't even like everyone. But I found many posters that I like and a few I now consider friends. Well, and I think that is a wonderful thing!

However, I was thinking about a way to celebrate the thought of this site as a community. I often found that many posters (myself included) use avatars to (visually) define themselves around here. And just think about it, many times you don't even have to read people's screen name to recognize them; you already know them by their avatar. I know I do. I got this idea when I witnessed a conversation in another thread the other day where one poster found it questionable that another used a picture of himself as his avatar. This had me thinking how many of us (kind of) hide behind funky avatar images. And I don't mean this to sound disdainful. That's basically why I use avatars, too. Because you can show off your interests. But what if only for once we would show ourselves?

So, finally, here's my idea: What if for one week we all try to use just an image of ourself as an avatar? Wouldn't that be nice? Wouldn't that make our posts even more personal? We'd get to know each other more. And these avatars wouldn't even have to be simple portrays. You could be creative! You could do virtually everything you'd like. Have you seen J. Allen's current avatar, for example? That's what I'm talking about. I'd love to see you all in your avatars. Even if just for one week.

So, what do y'all think? Is this even feasible? Any suggestion for improvements? Am I an idiot?

K-Star · May 5 2009, 05:49 AM

I did that for a while, after I took a picture of myself in my TNG uniform for Halloween last year

trampledamage · May 5 2009, 05:49 AM

I wouldn't say you're an idiot, but there's a reason I hide my identity behind a cute pink elephant - you really don't want to meet the real me

M · May 5 2009, 05:53 AM

K-Star wrote:

I did that for a while, after I took a picture of myself in my TNG uniform for Halloween last year

Really? I don't really remember it. I just remember the hard time thinking about a good Helloween name.

trampledamage wrote:

... you really don't want to meet the real me

I'm perfectly sure that this is untrue.

And to make myself clear, that would (of course) be a completely voluntary thing. No-one would have to do it, really.

RJDiogenes · May 5 2009, 10:35 AM

Well, I must always use Goofy Grape as my Avatar, but maybe I can think of something....

jamestyler · May 5 2009, 01:24 PM

I'd do it... though it'd pain me to lose the Sisko for a week

SPOCKED · May 5 2009, 01:40 PM

I'm in

Miss Chicken · May 5 2009, 01:49 PM

I am in if I can use a 20 year old photo of me.

Or better still - a 47 year old photo of me, I was a real cutie back then.

Zion Ravescene · May 5 2009, 02:00 PM

I just need to borrow one of J. Allen's avatars.

El Chupacabra · May 5 2009, 02:09 PM

I think there are always going to be some people here who are too scared to reveal themselves, choosing instead to hide behind fake personalities.

K'Ehleyr · May 5 2009, 02:49 PM

I'm in too. I think it's a great idea NCC-1701.

It would be interesting to see if peoples reactions changed

Jenee · May 5 2009, 02:53 PM

If I can get someone to photoshop my face and a younger, skinnier body on my avatar, I'll do it.

Count Zero · May 5 2009, 04:37 PM

I'm not very photogenic but I'd join in.

RevdKathy · May 5 2009, 06:29 PM

I always do. What? Yes, of course I'm a teddy bear!

M · May 5 2009, 07:04 PM

RJDiogenes wrote:

Well, I must always use Goofy Grape as my Avatar, but maybe I can think of something....

Oh, I'm sure you can. Let me know if I can somehow help you.

jamestyler wrote:

I'd do it... though it'd pain me to lose the Sisko for a week

Yay, thanks for joining. And don't worry, Sisko will be back.

SPOCKED wrote:

I'm in

Yay again! Cool!

Miss Chicken wrote:

I am in if I can use a 20 year old photo of me.

Or better still - a 47 year old photo of me, I was a real cutie back then.

Personally I'd prefer the 20 years old photo, because that'd be closer to what you look today. But of course I'd like you to join either way, Miss Chicken.

K'ehleyr wrote:

I'm in too. I think it's a great idea NCC-1701.

Aww, thanks, K'ehleyr. How nice of you. And cool to see you join, too.

K'ehleyr wrote:

It would be interesting to see if peoples reactions changed

Yeah, I'd be interested in that myself. Call me pessimistic, but somehow I doubt that we'll really be enough to notice any reactions from others.

Count Zero wrote:

I'm not very photogenic but I'd join in.

Let us be the judges. No, just kidding. Seriously, I don't consider myseld particularly photogenic either, so I know where you're coming from. All the better that you decided to join in. Cool!

RevdKathy wrote:

Yes, of course I'm a teddy bear!

I'm perfectly willing to accept that as the truth.

May 5 2009, 05:42 AM	#1
M Vice Admiral	"That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) Hey folks, an idea for something we could do on this board crossed my mind the other day and now I'm eager to know what my fellow Trek BBS posters think about it. And please be nice to me, as I'm not prepared for my idea to be shot down. I like to think of this whole site as a true community. Now, I know that many here despise the mere thought of social networking sites. And really, I do, too. If it wasn't for my band's MySpace profile I'd probably not come anywhere near MySpace. But I found that this board can serve similar functions. Granted, I don't know everyone around here. Hell, I don't even like everyone. But I found many posters that I like and a few I now consider friends. Well, and I think that is a wonderful thing! However, I was thinking about a way to celebrate the thought of this site as a community. I often found that many posters (myself included) use avatars to (visually) define themselves around here. And just think about it, many times you don't even have to read people's screen name to recognize them; you already know them by their avatar. I know I do. I got this idea when I witnessed a conversation in another thread the other day where one poster found it questionable that another used a picture of himself as his avatar. This had me thinking how many of us (kind of) hide behind funky avatar images. And I don't mean this to sound disdainful. That's basically why I use avatars, too. Because you can show off your interests. But what if only for once we would show ourselves? So, finally, here's my idea: What if for one week we all try to use just an image of ourself as an avatar? Wouldn't that be nice? Wouldn't that make our posts even more personal? We'd get to know each other more. And these avatars wouldn't even have to be simple portrays. You could be creative! You could do virtually everything you'd like. Have you seen J. Allen's current avatar, for example? That's what I'm talking about. I'd love to see you all in your avatars. Even if just for one week. So, what do y'all think? Is this even feasible? Any suggestion for improvements? Am I an idiot? __________________ Bashir: »Out of all the stories you told me, which ones were true and which ones weren't?« Garak: »My dear doctor, they're all true.« Bashir: »Even the lies?« Garak: »Especially the lies.«

May 5 2009, 05:49 AM	#2
K-Star Fleet Captain	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I did that for a while, after I took a picture of myself in my TNG uniform for Halloween last year __________________ Visit my website! Also, go here and help my dragons hatch I am PROUD to be a NERD!!! And Lt. Commander Data is EPICLY AWESOME!!!

May 5 2009, 05:49 AM	#3
trampledamage Clone Location: trampledamage is doing her homework	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I wouldn't say you're an idiot, but there's a reason I hide my identity behind a cute pink elephant - you really don't want to meet the real me __________________ Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence - Dr. McCoy And he says that like it's a bad thing...

May 5 2009, 10:35 AM	#5
RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Location: RJDiogenes of Boston	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) Well, I must always use Goofy Grape as my Avatar, but maybe I can think of something.... __________________ Please stop by my Gallery and YouTube Page for a visit. And read Trunkards!

May 5 2009, 01:24 PM	#6
jamestyler Commodore Location: jamestyler	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I'd do it... though it'd pain me to lose the Sisko for a week __________________ + The Picard Maneuver \| Serious stuff. Sexy spandex.

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

May 5 2009, 01:40 PM	#7
SPOCKED Admiral	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I'm in

May 5 2009, 01:49 PM	#8
Miss Chicken Little three legged cat with attitude Location: Howrah, Hobart, Tasmania	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I am in if I can use a 20 year old photo of me. Or better still - a 47 year old photo of me, I was a real cutie back then. __________________ Big Brother, the people are watching YOU

May 5 2009, 02:00 PM	#9
Zion Ravescene Admirable	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I just need to borrow one of J. Allen's avatars. __________________ "Well, I would like to make another trip," he said, jumping to his feet; "but I really don't know when I'll have the time. There's just so much to do right here."

May 5 2009, 02:09 PM	#10
El Chupacabra Commodore Location: London, England	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I think there are always going to be some people here who are too scared to reveal themselves, choosing instead to hide behind fake personalities.

May 5 2009, 02:49 PM	#11
K'Ehleyr Commodore Location: In a world which very few others see	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I'm in too. I think it's a great idea NCC-1701. It would be interesting to see if peoples reactions changed __________________ Oh for goodness sake it's not that important. Unless it is really important ~ then you can always email it to me and I'll ignore it again tomorrow.

May 5 2009, 02:53 PM	#12
Jenee Dancing Goddess Location: In the park	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) If I can get someone to photoshop my face and a younger, skinnier body on my avatar, I'll do it. __________________ Avatar by KingDaniel Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.

May 5 2009, 04:37 PM	#13
Count Zero Your fluffy highness Location: Land of Awesome	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I'm not very photogenic but I'd join in.

May 5 2009, 06:29 PM	#14
RevdKathy Kid with a limp Location: Throwing snowballs at RevdKathy	Re: "That's Me!" Avatar Week? (Silly idea inside.) I always do. What? Yes, of course I'm a teddy bear! __________________ "God bless us, every one"