off-site avatars

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I think there shouldn't be a size (kb) limit on avatars hosted off-site because since the network hosting this board isn't storing the avatar itself. The dimension limit should remain the same since it would mess with the alignment of the board.

So, if I wanted to host my own avatar off-site like this for example, it shouldn't be a problem. It's under the dimensional size requirements but far too big file size wise to use as my avatar.

Is there any way to make it that way?

I think the size restriction is to stop people using images which are so large (in bytes) that they would kill the response time of the pages. Not everyone has fast internet connections. If everyone had such images you could find that 99% of the data being downloaded to view a page consists purely of peoples avatar image data.

but if it's hosted off-site...

It is irrelevant if the images are hosted on-site or off-site because the image still has to be downloaded to the users computer. Having the images off-site would be a bonus for WP in that it would put less strain on the WP server so might be slightly faster in that respect for people who already have fast internet connections, but it won't benefit those with slow connections.

I don't even think people should be able to have animated .gifs for avatars. Thank TFSM for the Escape key.

so, all the youtube videos and pictures that are being displayed in any given thread...

I block YouTube videos unless I really want to watch them. They take forever to download on dial-up. Some of the picture threads on WP and complete no-go areas for me - they take too long to show so I don't even bother trying. If everyone had large avatars WP would become unusable for everyone who isn't on fast internet.

Why
My current one is 6.54 KB
Your current one is 10.67 KB

Maximum requirements:

130 x 160 pixels - size: 16kb

The server itself will upload the avatars that are offlink to WP's server itself and cdn (Content Delivery Network).

And the spinning blue planet above is 133 KB. Nearly ten times the current WP max.

guys, the fact remains that the images posted here as well as the videos have to take up a hell of a lot of space.

If it's the case that WP is simply retaining the letters of the url to bind the thread to the video or picture and not the video or picture itself, then the same could be applied to people's avatars. Just have the site remember the string to link to off-site storage.

I don't think the size is the issue in this case, some people just get distracted/annoyed/nauseated by flashing or moving images all over their screen.

distracted/annoyed/nauseated...Oh My

I can slow him down by 50%

hope that helps

All of those things, yes. Slowing it down is greatly appreciated. Yours tend not to get to me as much as some other people's do, since they're generally rhythmic and not too fast. Some people have avatars which just seem terribly thoughtless and inconsiderate to me. This is a site for autistic people, most of us have sensory issues. Really, it seems obvious to me that animated avatars could pose problems, but maybe that's a theory of mind problem on my part.

This topic has flashed up before. The general consensus was if an avatar is offensive enough to raise complaints then the user will be asked to voluntarily remove it. I have received numerous compliments, never anything negative.

The only complaint about Any avatar I have ever used was that I had changed their favorite one.
I actually got a complaint once because I was using one that was not animated.
It was by far offensive, I have always used animated ones since day 1.
Except for that one day - which is at the bottom of this post.

I try my best to keep the size limited as possible as well as the color intensity.
Timing is the one that really hurts me the most, again, it's minimal.
Being thoughtless or inconsiderate does not apply.