Amiga.org

Coffee House => Coffee House Boards => CH / General => Topic started by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 12:31:53 AM

Title: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 12:31:53 AM
Wow, some people seem to have got worked up because you've lost your God-given right to have a girl's bum in your avatar.

(actually, we've taken action on peoples' avatars before recently, just that some immature people like to keep "pushing the boundaries", so we have to set some)

Is the avatar system really that insightful or interesting a way of spreading a message?  Does AO's new addition to posting guidelines show how the world is going to pot?
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on July 31, 2004, 12:45:51 AM
Can I have a "Bob Marley smokin' a joint" avatar? :-)
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 12:50:02 AM
Quote
Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Can I have a "Bob Marley smokin' a joint" avatar?

The posting guidelines contain this other semi-relevant point, once again caused by some idiot on AO whose contributions were very similar to Towelie out of South Park:
Quote
No posting about illegal activities
If you get drunk, that's fine. If you use drugs, that's fine. The moderators of this site aren't here to be your mother. We will not however tolerate excessive posting promoting drug use or other illegal activities. It's not funny, it's annoying, and it's unacceptable. Moderators are free to use their discretion up to and including banning the account of the person responsible.

Make your own mind up.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: cecilia on July 31, 2004, 12:50:36 AM
Quote
some people seem to have got worked up because you've lost your God-given right to have a girl's bum in your avatar.
i'm not sure that's completely true - certainly speel just likes to talk about things for the fun of it!
Quote
Is the avatar system really that insightful or interesting a way of spreading a message?

actually, yes, it's a great way to communicate - and a creative way! i love it, i love that you can change depending on your mood or the topic of the moment or your feelings, etc.
that said, there's no point in making people who happen to be at work uncomfortable. I hope my Dalek AV is still ok (it's got that THING sticking out of it)
:lol:

Quote
Does anyone find a scuplure by Michelangelo offensive?
yes, A$$croft.
he spent $8000 tax payer dollars proving it.
 :smack:

fortunately for us, he does NOT have an Amiga and isn't here to annoy us. so we can have all the ART we want!
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 12:55:01 AM
I think avatars can be cool, it adds to the forum atmostphere, IMO.  However, they're not for confirming whether our more immature users' sex drives are functioning normally, or for intentionally annoying other people.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on July 31, 2004, 12:55:15 AM
Quote

cecilia wrote:
Quote
Does anyone find a scuplure by Michelangelo offensive?
yes, A$$croft.
he spent $8000 tax payer dollars proving it.
 :smack:
:nervous:
I just had to think about the fate of those Buddha statues in Afghanistan
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: blobrana on July 31, 2004, 01:01:38 AM
Hum,
Yes indeed!(http://www.thismodernworld.com/media/rar/The%20Nation%20500/censored.gif)
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: blobrana on July 31, 2004, 01:03:39 AM
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 01:04:09 AM


Whatever.

Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on July 31, 2004, 01:14:29 AM
Doesn't the term "illegal activity" cover guns? I mean, gun posession (and especially usage) is forbidden here..
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: cecilia on July 31, 2004, 01:14:40 AM
Quote

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

I just had to think about the fate of those Buddha statues in Afghanistan
exactly! there are anti-art/religious nuts all over the world!
they disgust me!

and the piliging that still going on in Iraq with the artifacts in the desert!
sheesh!
priceless stuff being stolen and lost!
really makes me sick! :pissed:
Title: Re: avatar wars TNG
Post by: blobrana on July 31, 2004, 01:34:33 AM
@Speelgoedmannetje     

Hum,
Lara Croft
wouldn`t be the same...

@Cecilia
Also the looting in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities destroyed Babylonian, Sumerian and Assyrian collections that chronicled some 7,000 years of civilization in ancient Mesopotamia.
I remember seeing the Baghdad Museum of Antiquities trashed right under the noses of American Marines, who had been given no instructions to protect it...

but it`s everywhere...fossil hunters in china - tropical fishermen - tomb-hunters in the americas...

Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: KennyR on July 31, 2004, 03:05:53 AM
I demand that Johnny Depp also be removed as an avatar. Having once appeared in a movie with scissors for hands, I think he is a bad example to children who might be surfing the site.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 09:33:25 AM
Quote

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Doesn't the term "illegal activity" cover guns? I mean, gun posession (and especially usage) is forbidden here..


A gun is an inanimate object that doesn't signify or advocate illegal activity.  I hoped my 'cross' example would get that across.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on July 31, 2004, 09:55:35 AM
Quote

mikeymike wrote:
A gun is an inanimate object that doesn't signify or advocate illegal activity.  I hoped my 'cross' example would get that across.
That cross example would have made sense if you compared it with the swastika. In that sense, you should be tolerant towards swastika's either.
But why do you think is the purpose (and the statement of the person who use it as his/her avatar) of a (hand)gun? Target practices? :roll:
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Karlos on July 31, 2004, 12:12:16 PM
Quote

cecilia wrote:
Quote

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

I just had to think about the fate of those Buddha statues in Afghanistan
exactly! there are anti-art/religious nuts all over the world!
they disgust me!

and the piliging that still going on in Iraq with the artifacts in the desert!
sheesh!
priceless stuff being stolen and lost!
really makes me sick! :pissed:




Well, without religious nuts (of differing persuasions), half these artifacts, Buddha statues included wouldn't exist in the first place.

Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: T_Bone on July 31, 2004, 12:39:42 PM
Quote

mikeymike wrote:
Quote
Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Can I have a "Bob Marley smokin' a joint" avatar?

The posting guidelines contain this other semi-relevant point, once again caused by some idiot on AO whose contributions were very similar to Towelie out of South Park


:lol:

Now THAT would make a unique avatar!!
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 12:53:16 PM
Quote
Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Quote
mikeymike wrote:
A gun is an inanimate object that doesn't signify or advocate illegal activity.  I hoped my 'cross' example would get that across.
That cross example would have made sense if you compared it with the swastika. In that sense, you should be tolerant towards swastika's either.


I'd like to know how that makes any sense to you.

Quote
But why do you think is the purpose (and the statement of the person who use it as his/her avatar) of a (hand)gun? Target practices? :roll:


By the same rationale, someone could have a picture of a dog as their avatar, and someone else could be offended because they once got bit by a dog.

Speel, if this is just a windup, or you're suffering from the worst case of boredom ever, please find something better to do.  AO staff have to draw certain lines because this website's audience happens to include younger people.  It would be nice if certain AO users didn't just try to "push the boundaries" for the sake of it then cry censorship, but sadly we have people here that like to do that sort of thing.  We try to make sure our actions to counter the problem restrict as little as possible.

Is anything important or interesting lost as a result of the new addition to the posting guidelines?  I don't think so.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: on July 31, 2004, 01:15:15 PM
Guys?

I'm going to make this very, very simple for you.  Over the last several months, we've received several complaints regarding the use of sexually explicit avatars.  Then, over the last week, I've had one close friend tell me that Amiga.org was banned at his work specifically because of the avatars, and another who got in "serious trouble" because his boss walked in and saw the inappropriate avatars on the screen.

E-mail/PMail complaints aside, that's only two issues that we know of and I'm sure there are several dozen that we aren't aware of.  That ain't cool, it ain't funny, and it ain't about "censorship".  

Most people I know use this site at work, and if certain kids want to express the fact that they're sexually immature, that affects lots of people who haven't done anything wrong, but suddenly can't reach the site from their office.  The innocent users suffer, Amiga.org suffers.

It's situations like this and the reaction of certain users (blobrana for example with his new "censored" avatar) that make me seriously question the reasons for providing this site.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on July 31, 2004, 01:37:51 PM
Quote

Then, over the last week, I've had one close friend tell me that Amiga.org was banned at his work specifically because of the avatars, and another who got in "serious trouble" because his boss walked in and saw the inappropriate avatars on the screen..
Look, THAT is a valid argument to me. (and what would your boss think of a site wich displays guns?)
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: blobrana on July 31, 2004, 03:40:01 PM
Hum,
Avatar Sensored...
(out of humble respect to Wayne)







--------------------------------------------------------
[Shouldn’t this thread be in the entertainment section?]
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 04:11:46 PM
Quote

blobrana wrote:
Hum,
Avatar Sensored...
(out of humble respect to Wayne)


And changed to... an avatar that says exactly the same thing, just a little more subtle.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: on July 31, 2004, 04:23:22 PM
I don't care if someone expresses their opinion, but the fact of the matter is that it's NOT censorship.  

I am however getting really, really sick of the people here who maintain the attitude that they can do whatever they want regardless of the consequences, then they start crying and whining "censorship" when anyone tries to hold them to ANY degree of responsibility.  Whether or not you understand or accept it, it's a personal insult to me, since all I want to do is provide a useful service to everyone.

I'm not particularly talking about blobrana in this instance, but there are about 5 regular and heavy users here who're dead intent on ruining it for everyone.  

Like little children, those few spoiled brats get a real kick out of pushing and pushing the boundaries for what they can get away with, then kick and scream like babies when you point out that they've gone too far.  To those to which this applies (and you know who you are), grow up.  Behave like an adult, even though that might be a stretch for you.  I'm not your mama, and the more you push, the more likely I am to push back.

Look through the history of this site.  Every single little administrative change ever made draws nothing but whining and criticism from those who feel that they have no responsibilities.  Enough.  The {bleep} stops here.

Wayne
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: blobrana on July 31, 2004, 04:23:50 PM
Doh!
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Karlos on July 31, 2004, 04:34:34 PM
Personally, I've never been offended by anybody's avatar here. That said, I can't believe that anybody here regards the removal of one or two images from the site, for the reasons stated as such a big deal.

If someone doesn't like people wearing shoes in their house (because they like to keep it nice for everybody else), any sensible person would take them off as they go in. It's simply good manners. You don't hear anybody shouting out about "footwear censorship", do you?

As I see it, the site is open to us all, but is the property of those who create and maintain it. If they ask you to observe a few basic manners, where's the harm?
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: mikeymike on July 31, 2004, 04:37:06 PM
Quote
If someone doesn't like people wearing shoes in their house (because they like to keep it nice for everybody else), any sensible person would take them off as they go in. It's simply good manners. You don't hear anybody shouting out about "footwear censorship", do you?


I imagine some people here would :lol:

Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: blobrana on July 31, 2004, 04:43:56 PM
Hummm

Especially when we all start to upgrade to smelly vision monitors.

link (http://www.telenor.no/fou/KH_olfactory_displays_200202.pdf)
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Karlos on July 31, 2004, 04:44:13 PM
Quote

mikeymike wrote:

I imagine some people here would :lol:



Then you'd tell them to go and visit someone who welcomes dirty shoes trampling all around their house rather than come and soil yours...
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Robert17 on July 31, 2004, 06:40:08 PM
Speaking of Avatars, here's my new one :-)

Robert
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: blobrana on July 31, 2004, 06:51:36 PM
Hum,
There’s a hint of [color=00CC33]green[/color] there...

Though it clearly falls into the blue-camp category...

Screen capture from a happage PCI tv card I presume?
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: whabang on July 31, 2004, 06:57:31 PM
Well,
I kinda liked IMA's avatar. ;-)

I hope no one finds my avatar offensive, if so please contact me via PMail.
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Morley on July 31, 2004, 08:16:08 PM
Well, to insiders my avatar would be quite pornographic! :lol:

Didn't get it? (http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/donkey.htm)
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Karlos on July 31, 2004, 09:06:28 PM
Quote

Morley wrote:
Well, to insiders my avatar would be quite pornographic! :lol:

Didn't get it? (http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/donkey.htm)


Perhaps now people will understand the strange red light behind my old weebl avatar

(http://www.nyteshade.com/karlos/img/evil_weebl.gif)

It's just the light from his home projector as he watches some home movies of donkey...
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Robert17 on August 01, 2004, 12:17:13 AM
I don't know how it was taken I pinched it from a website if I'm honest :-( Are you saying I'm Camp, Blob? :-P

Robert
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on August 01, 2004, 02:46:30 AM
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Cyberus on August 01, 2004, 07:21:52 PM
You crack me up
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on August 01, 2004, 08:00:24 PM
Quote

Cyberus wrote:
You crack me up
That's my job here at Aorg, to crack you ppl up (yet making sense)
Title: Re: AO avatar usage
Post by: Bodie_CI5 on August 02, 2004, 10:25:53 AM
Quote

Cyberus wrote:
You crack me up


:lol: , that was/is brilliant!