profile pics

[tobadzistsini]

Howdy, I'm surprised that user profile pics are 80x80 and can't be bigger than 6kb.

Would someone recommend how to get a picture to meet these stringent specifications? I've messed with a picture in gimp, resizing and switching file types and it just gets worse and worse and worse.

Thank you

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

Screw Gimp, but upload your original here and I'll process it for you.

I heartily support the 6K limit, because that makes it much harder for people to upload animated gifs -- which would merit summary execution, in my world.

See, also, the Smush.it tool.

[tobadzistsini]

Thank you

http://i.imgur.com/peWkgBa.jpg

BTW, not complaining about the policy.

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

For 80x80 avatars, you ideally want something with less detail and more natural contrast. Line-art works best.

Nevertheless, here's six variants on that cute avatar:

CuteDuckies.zip

(21.82 KiB) Downloaded 102 times

[tbaker2500]

I love it, great ones. I'd go with #6!

[tbaker2500]

I think it's a good point. I've relaxed the rules slightly, 16k and 100x100 pix allowed now. The goal with the smaller images is to keep the board relatively speedy, but there is compromise to be had, if we get cute picks of duckies!

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

Nooooooooo!! ....

Then you will get avatars like this:

*edited because me eyes really hurt!!!!!* -Tom

And we already have cute duckies at 80x80.

[ROU Killing Time]

But then you get a chance to be the avatar nazi and kill them, ASID. (Always look at the bright side of life.)

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

Alas, I do not have that power on this forum. (Probably for the best, can you imagine how ROU's and strawman's avatars would end up?)

[ROU Killing Time]

Hmm, good point.

[ROU Killing Time]

I think that power is best held by Tom's saintly hands.

[tbaker2500]

Jesus ASID! Don't DO that to me!! Ouch. Sorry for editing your post, but dear GOD!

Well that gif was only 3.2k, so it would have fit in the old rules. Does the 100 pix matter to you? I don't really care, but I thought it might make avi's slightly more understandable for what was in them.

And remember, you can always warn users about their AVI, and ultimately ban them for a day if they get sassy!

[Varda]

Alas, I do not have that power on this forum. (Probably for the best, can you imagine how ROU's and strawman's avatars would end up?)

August 2013: the day the Avatar Wars began.

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

Well that gif was only 3.2k, so it would have fit in the old rules. Does the 100 pix matter to you? I don't really care, but I thought it might make avi's slightly more understandable for what was in them.

That gif was only 3.2K because it was all color squares except for 1 very simple frame. Animated gifs that actually have some image content to them go over the 6K limit very quickly.

[tbaker2500]

I'm actually honestly asking your opinion here. (Shocking, I know!)
Phrased another way, what numbers would you pick and reasonable limits to allow people to upload an avatar which could be a visible pic of themselves?
I did the 100x100 because I feel that it's sometimes hard to see what an avatar is at the 80x80 size. Much larger and it's obnoxious. I upped the kb limit to allow for that increase plus some more. But I haven't run the numbers. What feels like a good limit to you?

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

I can't find my notes on the only study I'm aware of (it was at work, circa 1997). But, for a classic "head and shoulders shot", you really want 120px. Less than that and things start to get a little too blurry for many tastes...



Likewise if your users want legible text. (Which is greater than 10px, displayed, IMO)...



A simple, two frame, animation (using a more typical example) increases the size by at least 19%...

Spoiler:

The file sizes in Bytes are:
With text: 6,281; 8,434; 11,138
With simple animation: 7,012; 9,594; 12,506

So, I'd set an avatar limit of 120px and 12.4K   OR
100px and 9.4K

Mind you, the smaller, blurrier size can be a godsend:

[strawman]

Infidel!

[tbaker2500]

That spoiler is awesome!
That is good data, thanks.

[tobadzistsini]

Thank you!

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

You're welcome.