[Anonymous42019]

Is it possible to use a gif for an avatar? I have one in mind which moves; it's fun.


Or perhaps PC does not allow the use of gifs?

Thanking you,

AD

[bluekoi]

PC has a few stock one, if this is what you mean.

[Nammu]

I find moving avatars distracting and avoid people who have them and or people who use a lot of emos

[Anonymous42019]

Originally Posted by bluekoi

PC has a few stock one, if this is what you mean.

Hahaaa! Oh thanks Blukoi, but no it's not. The gif that I've in mind is one that Juni found and thought hilarious. But I won't download it yet as it's on her laptop and she's asleep.

[*Beth*]

I agree with Nammu about the moving avatars. Very distracting.

[Red Rizzle]

Does it not allow new members to add one?

When I click in the edit avatar, the box is checked, and only option is to use the selection available?

[~Christina]

I use Tapatalk so I don’t have to deal with them. But if for some reason I have to use my lap top they just make me cranky

[Have Hope]

I think moving Avitars are fun. I have one and I think it's pretty. Sorry if it makes people irritable and cranky.

[-jimi-]

I hate animated gifs. So annoying. Yea, I know I have one in my siggy but, did that one to try it to help another member that wanted one, after that I never removed it, LOL.

If you use animations, make them bit subtle, plz.

[Have Hope]

The point of an avatar is individual expression and preference. I don’t think we should be required to appease other people’s personal preferences when it comes to our own avatars that are of our own choosing. That sounds very controlling and oppressive. Honestly if a moving avatar is that bothersome just place the person on ignore. Self care is our own responsibility.

[-jimi-]

Some gifs are seriously headache provoking, not that I see them used on this forum. But yea they exist.

[unaluna]

You dont HAVE to ignore the person if you dont like blinky avatars.

You COULD choose to not show ANYBODY's avatar, by deselecting "show avatars" in EDIT PROFILE.

But then, you see no avatars, blinky or plain.

I wonder if a blinky avatar uses more battery? That might be a reason to avoid them, idk.

Plus people might have eye issues. Esp us old f-harts. We already see blinky stuff where there isnt really intentionally any. Its like when a phone rings or a siren sounds on tv - thats realism we dont need!

[Have Hope]

You seem like you're shouting at us when you use all CAPS.

I don't see why a thread asking about whether we can use gifs as avatars has devolved into whether people like them or not. That wasn't the point of this thread.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

Some gifs are seriously headache provoking, not that I see them used on this forum. But yea they exist.

They are actually a known trigger for people with epilepsy and migraine disorder and many other neuro conditions. I don't like that the only way to get rid of them is to get rid of all avatars bc they are helpful as identifiers. Considering the point of this website and the connection to health, I'd think a little more concern for accessibility would be warranted. But it's an ableist world we live in...sigh...I dunno, maybe bringing it to people's attention here might change their mind about using them, out of consideration for their PC friends?

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I use Tapatalk so I don’t have to deal with them. But if for some reason I have to use my lap top they just make me cranky

I use Tapatalk too and I still see them.

[Have Hope]

This is a mental health oriented website, not a health-focused website, first of all. I am sure there are some users who do have those conditions, however. You have a movement-oriented gif in your signature, so isn't that a bit contradictory?

[unaluna]

Whether people like them or not is called "Community Feedback", which is the title of this Forum. So ENTIRELY appropriate for people to give opinions, IMHO.

[Have Hope]

That is fine, Una, and you're still shouting by using caps. Please stop using caps, because it comes across offensively and as though you're trying to fight and argue, which is against the guidelines.

[CANDC]

Sometimes people want to add emphasis to certain words.

One alternative that I use and I do not think anyone finds offensive is to make them bold like this.

Another way to add emphasis is with color like this