Avatars

When I first joined a forum a year ago last month, I not only didn't have a clue what my joining would entail as far as writing, but wasn't aware that photography would become important to me again.

At many forums, avatars express one's individualism. The avatar is the little picture attached to the upper left of one's posts. When I first started using them, my avatar was Chrissie Hynde--didn't see any reason to change it, plus I had a devil of a time getting the pic down to the size specifications that the forum required.
So fast forward almost a year, and I'm invited to join another forum which allows avatars (I realize now that this is not a common thing as they do take up the host's server space.) I still dig photography and now possess software to easily make any photo or drawing to any specification, so I made a new one every week, sometimes every day.
Then I broke the rules and lets just say that if I step out of line one more time, I will be invited to leave. Meanwhile, my punishment is loss of avatar privileges and a public chastising on the forum.

You know what I think about forums? I think, with some notable exceptions, they are a dying "breed." I think weblogs have or will supplant them for a couple of good reasons. Forums are usually quite general in subject and they are owned by one or more persons that "moderate" the member's behaviour. In contrast, weblogs give one complete autonomy--the only regulation is self-imposed, plus they are usually quite specific in content. Between weblogs, instant messaging, and chat rooms, I don't really see the need for forums, even though there's been enjoyable moments at all the ones I've belonged to.

I learned that I didn't need to belong to one to make Internet friends after the first forum gave me the heave-ho. I can tailor my blogging "community" to fit my specific desires and interests. While blogging, I can discuss any topic I desire and with the comments enabled, engage in give and take "conversations."

I'm realizing now that I probably won't ever fit into the dynamic that is intrinsic to forum membership. I never was a "joiner" and I certainly never have been good at being told what to say or not. I really bristle when politics is played as well. And that's all part of forum life--at least as I've experienced it on the several forums that I've sampled in the past year. I am quite happy with my spot here--but I still want an avatar. ;)

Comments

[Cyn]

Chrissie not only has some great pipes, but she oozes sex appeal--yum!
I only wish I had a fraction of her coolness.
I'm flattered just the same (that I rock :)) and I agree, her avatar is the best.

[Anne]

Still love the Chrissie pic. She rocks. As do you.

[jon]

forums have been around since the old BBS days, and they have their place in the internet just like the webspace does.