A guide to AVATARS and SIGNATURES (no more new topics!)

**LocoColt04** · 03-01-2005, 02:08 PM

Since we continually receive the same questions over and over about images in signatures and avatars (instead of reading the FAQ which already contains all these answers...), I decided that I'd take the time to write up a little guide for this, starting with a private message that was sent to me from another member.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_johnson287

Hey LocoColt04 thanks for welcoming me to the site. The info you gave me was really helpfull. Anyways I was just wondering if you could tell me how I can get one of those pictures to show up in my information, and under my signature if you know what im talking about that is......that one that shows up under your username and who the post was from ya know.Thanx Dave n_n

Hey, not a problem man.

First, the avatar. That's the picture that shows up under your username. If you go into the UserCP (the link is found on the left side at the top of the screen), you will find a list of options along the left side. Choose "Edit Avatar" to get into the avatar selection screen. While we have over 500 avatars for you to choose from, there are also options to load one from another website, or perhaps one from your computer. There are size limits, though. A maximum of 100x150 pixels, or 97kb. Keep that in mind if you have your own which you intend to upload.

Next, the signature. Again, from the UserCP, choose the "Edit Signature" option. While you are allowed to use HTML in your signature, it is against the rules to use any languages (Java, PHP, etc.) which may interfere with the forum tables.

As far as images go, you will need to host them from another source online. If you are caught attaching an image to a post and then using that in your signature, the attachment will be removed from the forums and you will receive a warning. That's never cool. In order to use an image in your signature, you will have to use html to display the image, exactly as follows:

<img src="http://image source">

Anywho, that's how you work with the images. As far as text and other things in your signature, just be sure it's not anything that people would be offended by, and you should be just fine.

Also, if your signature is 75% of the viewing area on a 1024x768 resolution, IT IS TOO LARGE. There is no reason why people should have to scroll down an entire page just to get through your signature. That's ridiculous.

In other words, if you have an image (or series of images) that is taller than 450 pixels, you will be asked to remove it. Text and images together should not account for more than 600 pixels in height, as that is more than large enough. If you don't alter your signature after being asked, it will be altered for you. Continued abuse will result in a signature ban.

And, as always, I'd like to stress the "no pornographic material" rule. If you're unsure of whether something would be appropriate, ask a moderator. Then again, if you're unsure, chances are it's not.

Also, you cannot have music in your signature, especially anything that loads automatically. It slows loading times, and is highly annoying. Videos are also not allowed unless they're those YouTube links that don't load anything until after you click play.

Whitney · 03-02-2005, 05:49 PM

You are glorious and a pleasure to behold. Thanks for typing this up!

*Bryan* · 05-07-2005, 12:47 AM

Okay, I've uploaded my photo before and everything worked just fine, but now, I'm having a problem. The image is the proper size...actually, below proper size and everything. I'm using it for my avatar, but it will not show up at all. So then, I try to go ahead and put my old one back up....but now that one isn't showing up, either. Whats going on?

**LocoColt04** · 05-07-2005, 11:11 AM

When you say "proper size," have you checked to see that it meets both physical dimension standards as well as maximum filesize? If so, you may want to double-check the website from which you are uploading. If you're uploading directly from your computer instead, then you may want to check the images themselves for any flaws or corruption.

If everything seems to check out just fine, you may want to send a private message to one of the administrators, as they may be able to solve your problem for you.

Leviathan · 06-15-2005, 02:16 PM

even though i've been here for a long time, i have never found out how you get the glowing aura around your text in your signitures.

someone please post the code stuff you need.

much obliged.

Leviathan

Hikari · 06-30-2005, 01:44 PM

I read something a little while ago tht said if you make your signature glow,it will be removed and you will receive a warning.
so I'd try not to do that

Leviathan · 06-30-2005, 05:04 PM

well that's friggin' gay.

i suppose that would account for the reason why there are no more glowing text sigs anywhere

**LocoColt04** · 07-02-2005, 02:51 PM

...or not. You're not gonna get banned for using glowing text in your signature. The head administrator of the forum uses glowing text in his signature. I don't know what you read, but your information is WAY off.

Use the glow tag. It's [glow].

Leviathan · 07-02-2005, 02:55 PM

^^^ he/she said it.

i wasn't sure. cheers anyway.

**LocoColt04** · 07-02-2005, 03:09 PM

And actually, to be precise, it's "glow=number", where the number is 1-4, the size of your glow. If you just put "glow," it won't work.

Merlin · 07-02-2005, 05:55 PM

LOL! No... its an admin-only thing.. *cough*

I put that tag in there a long time ago so ppl could use it. Just keep in mind, the only people that can even see it are those with Internet Explorer. Like me, I have glowing text, but I don't see the glow since I use Firefox. I have a special alt color for my text so it still looks cool in other browsers... just not 'as' cool. On second thought, the alt text color looks better, IMHO.. Oh well. I am going to change my sig soon enough anyways. ^_^