Why do we have to wait so long to get an avatar

[magsmay]

Hi i was wondering what was the thinking behind having to wait until you have posted 10 times before getting the chance to have an avatar. Surely if you 'had' to get an avatar then it would put off people coming on here spamming or just causing havoc for a few days as it is a process that requires you to fill in forms etc which may put off some people -not criticizing -just asking

[murraymints]

don't know..ed ??

[factor-fiction]

I suppose having to get an avatar would also deter many new users who may just want help with something like a crossword clue or ad tune, and then slowly get hooked in- which is how many of us started

[factor-fiction]

And of course some people have found it extremely difficult to set up an avatar

[shoota]

Do people ever need help with ad tunes then?

[magsmay]

come to think of it factor30 you are right -i came on here to get a quick answer and may not have bothered if I'd had to go through all that palaver first. Having said that 10 posts is rather a lot 5 would be reasonable maybe?

[AB Editor]

We'd prefer to lower the bar for entry, not increase it.

[magsmay]

Giving someone the opportunity and choice to have an Avatar from the start would make no difference to the height of the bar though would it?

[EvianBaby]

I always thought it was something to do with spammers/trolls.

[ummmm]

I'll have some action ;-)

[jno]

I think everyone should have to put in a bit of work in the canteen, running the Ed's messages and so on before being deemed worhty of an avatar.

I remember when I joined I had to spend a whole week milking the yaks for the monks who ran the place then, and it did me no harm at all.

[vivandorron]

I have thought similarly to EB ^

Making someone wait a fortnight and post on ten occasions does give ABers an opportunity to suss out the spammers, troll, etc.

If Avatars could be immediately published upon entry into AB it might give an impression that the person was an established member. What a wonderful opportunity for banned members to make a reappearance.

Ron.

[magsmay]

don't quite understand the gist of your reply triggerhappy why would I want some of your action? What action would that be? I'm not a new poster if you look on my profile I've posted quite a few things over the last few days -i only came on here last week to get a land registry question answered cos Google brought me to this site . Just thought its quite nice to have an Avatar that's all and I didn't realise there was such a protocol involved. Sorry ;-(

[vivandorron]

It's easy to see that triggs thinks you have been a previous member of AB.

As a new member you have certainly come in with a bang. Consequently even I am now wondering if you have been here before .

Ron.

[boxtops]

It's not much of a protocol, mags, I don't remember any palaver when I got my first avatar

[magsmay]

vivandorron -I've come in with a bang? i can't understand what you mean really. I've been polite, helpful, answered questions like was suggested when I did my Newbie post so what have I done wrong? If its because I've posted quite a few times its cos I want an Avatar (shallow maybe but so what) IF its because I've posted about Avatars then obviously there is some undercurrent of controversy I am unaware of because I've only just found this site last week.

[vivandorron]

64 postings within a week surely qualifies for a Badge of some sort.

Avatars are not possible to establish unless you have been a member for at least two weeks.

Welcome to our beautiful site.

Ron.

[magsmay]

hi Ron thanks for your reply. I know I've been a bit 'enthusiastic' on the forum lol! didn't realise THAT enthusiastic though ;-0 . This seems to be a lovely ,interesting place to visit, so I've been surfing all the different categories and i'm afraid can't stop myself putting in my penny's worth in. I work on my own in an empty house from about 8am until 4pm so a little human interfacing -even in cyberland-is a welcome distraction. Next week I'm out on Site so will not be coming to visit that much -you miss me ron ;-)

[magsmay]

// will you miss me//

[rockyracoon]

If new members can have avatars immediately can you imagine the fun some trolls would have in the middle of the night, we'd be waking up to porno.