Name - So my real name is displayed quite prominently, even though the site collected a username from me and the full name is optional. I would have assumed the username would be used on the forum. Other sites collect my full name, but only for their records; it’s not public.
Having two names doesn’t help. Could we just use the username in the forums? And limit the full name to the profile page.
Avatar - MST3k has so much visual appeal, I was really disappointed that the only avatar offered by the forum was M in a circle. It would be fun for a lot of your kids to scroll through some options from the shows. I’m thinking each host, mad and bot (possibly multiple options), plus a liberal sprinkling of fan favourites like Torgo, Mitchell, and Gamera.
I’m pretty sure there’s an option to only show your username – let me investigate where that is and circle back with directions!
And the avatar thing… so, the way Discourse is set up, apparently we can EITHER have a pack of pre-chosen avatar options, OR let people upload their own avatars. Not both. Which is actually pretty silly and annoying to me. I decided to go with letting people upload their own to start with, and Ivan has suggested making a folder available for folks to choose and upload from a set of MST3K-specific avatars. That’s the likely solution for now, at least until/if I can figure out a better one.
It’s easy enough not to give the site your full name. I just deleted mine, and now I’m “MyWy” only. I was just surprised by the very public use of Personally Identifiable Information. I might be over sensitive - complying with California privacy law is part of my work.
From a functionality point of view, I guess it’s not bad. Two names is weird, but if I @ Kinz, the site is smart enough to volunteer Lesley.
That’s a shame about the avatars! I understand why you went with the upload option. Offering a selection of images to download (and then re-upload, I guess…) sounds like a good way to deal with it.
Wait a tick, @Lesley , would it help snagging our own screenshots of lovable MST3k characters for others to use as avatars? As long as there isn’t a copyright concern or a high-pressure deadline, I think that could be fun. I mean, I’m watching about 2 episodes a week anyhow, and I know others watch even more than that, so it would be no bother.
At the very least, I’m going to go hunting for one for myself. Don’t want people thinking I love Elite:Dangerous more than MST 3000.
I’m a believe in personalized avatars, but obviously not everybody cares enough to make them. I wonder if gravatars might be an option. Do people still use those?
Oh, nice. It’s some kind of global avatar thing that identifies you by your email address and lets you have a portable avatar anywhere you use that address and supports gravatars. It used to be pretty common, but I wasn’t sure if it was much of a thing anymore.
Considering that Automattic (WordPress’ parent company — and Tumblr’s, and Simplenote’s, and Longread’s, and Day One’s, and IntenseDebate’s, and bbPress’, and…) bought Gravatar a few years ago, it’s still very much a thing.
