Avatars vs usernames

[JoJo]

I would have made this a poll, but well, the poll monster has a bottomless stomach right now.

So anyway, how do you recognise people on forums? For me, it tends to be a bit of both. A memorable avatar may stick in my mind even after only being seen once or twice, but I wouldn't be able to tie it to a person. Generally a name takes longer to learn, but once I can remember it, then I'll have a sense of who's behind the handle, so to speak.

How about you?

 

[ebalosus]

If it's someone who keeps their avatar for a long time (like me), then it's the avatar. If it's someone I'm constantly interacting with, then I'll remember their username.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I kept mine for ages but I've tried to remember usernames as not everyone does the same.

 

[Saelune]

Avatars. Eventually I may remember a person by their username, but that's usually cause they keep changing their avatar and forcing me to, or because their name stands out to me.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

I tried to keep it simple for everybody

I only recognize a few people. Some by avatar some by username and some I associate their username with an avatar. I'm very busy in real life these days to pay too much attention to such things though. If I was still a teenager I'd recognize everyone.

Well, for example, since Sealune just posted, I get to say that I recognize Sealune by both the name and avatar. One doesn't go without the other.

 

[Sleepy Sol]

Largely recognize people most immediately by username. The avatar is kind just something that gets attached, though I do tend to internalize both to some degree.

I changed my avatar constantly years back but I think I'm kinda done doing that.

 

[Zykon TheLich_v1legacy]

Depends on the name/avatar, but usually I'll associate one with the other. If the avatar changes I notice. I still remember name/avatar combinations from ten years ago for users that haven't posted since I stopped lurking.

Also, people are their avatar to me.

 

[Specter Von Baren]

Avatars. If I suddenly see a new avatar in a thread then I'll look at their username to see if it's someone I recognize but I mostly remember people based on their avatars. I seem to be the only person to have changed their avatar in a while but most people keep them pretty consistent so it's not usually a problem.

I usually remember names if I've talked... or argued, with the person for an extensive amount of time.

 

[Trunkage]

Usually username, but it depends on the username. ebalosus - sorry man, that's just not memorable. The last poster I'd just read as Specter and not internalise the rest of the name

But then there are Avaters like Zykon? that's just striking

Sooo? mixed bag?

 

[Kyrian007]

Neither really. With a few of the long time regulars as an exception, I'll remember someone I'm conversing with for a couple of weeks. Maybe recognize someone longer than that as "someone I talked with a while back... I think." And other than that the entire collection of names here are just vaguely familiar people I talk with on occasion. Sometimes I'll go back and look at my old posts and realize "oh, I talked with that guy just a few weeks ago... I didn't remember that at all."

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

I used to recognise people by their avatars, but I haven't been able to see avatars on this site for quite some time now so I've had to start remembering your names.

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

I have another take on this.

For my first few years on this forum, I didn't have an avatar. I seldom got responded to.

I find the Hero of All with Lucio, and I wish to show that. And then I'm apparently noticed.

By that interaction, I'd have to say Avatars are important.

 

[Catfood220]

I used to recognise people by their avatars, but I haven't been able to see avatars on this site for quite some time now so I've had to start remembering your names.

If you go into your settings, you can turn the avatars back on. That fixed it for me anyway.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I usually recognize an avatar first and then tie it to a username which gets confusing when someone changes their avatar. For example I see the Team Rocket avatar and I instantly know it's Redlin5.

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Bit of both. I recognize most of the regulars by their avatar and username, though for less frequent posters it's usually just the username.

 

[Silvanus]

Almost always recognise posters by Avatar. I usually imagine that they actually are their Avatar, as well.

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

Some common posters have had their Avatars long enough that I do recognize them more than the name. Others not as much.
Having an avatar connected to your name makes the name easy to remember too.

My favorite avatar is probably Canadamus Prime.

 

[Basement Cat]

Back when the site had a much larger population I primarily went by Avatars. As the population shrank I started picking up more names.

Also some of the long time posters occasionally change their Avatars so it was always necessary for me to pay at least a smidgen of attention to user's names.

 

[Saelune]

Almost always recognise posters by Avatar. I usually imagine that they actually are their Avatar, as well.

Same!


...Which is why I hate when you change yours! Though you keep to a theme, but its been a while since your nun.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

I used to recognise people by their avatars, but I haven't been able to see avatars on this site for quite some time now so I've had to start remembering your names.

If you go into your settings, you can turn the avatars back on. That fixed it for me anyway.

Huh, well I never. Cheers for that, and good to see you all back!