With all the new members joining I got curious about how we all came by our User Names. Many of us have chosen avatars also that reflect some whimsical part of ourselves. So I was wondering how we chose our user names and what our avatar is if we have one and why that.

To start this off, I'll say I chose DJ for the simple reason that it stands for my name Debra Jean and it was so much easier to type especially with that long last name. As for my avatar, it's a signature I came up with. Mine's pretty self explainatory but some of them really have me curious.

Also, Doug, I like that avatar. It speaks volumes but after awhile, my head starts to throb and I just can't figure out why. :D
DJ

My user name is self explanatory. My avatar reflects my passion for cleanliness! :D

Ed

I picked my user name because it is my name and that way if I forgot it, I could look at the tag my wife sews into my shirt. Old age you know....I picked my avatar because...uh...it looked like a cow. Really!! Tom

My username is...my name :)

I wasn't going to use an avatar, but I saw this one posted somewhere and it struck a chord.

Umm, I'm kinda with DJ on your avatar Doug. I know I'll sound old, but it's hard to read with something flashing. Can you slow it down?

I use my real name. And now my real pic.

Hello Everybody. Again

I thought DJ was being facetious about my avatar. If it's really bugging y'all I'll ditch it. Like I said, I wasn't planning on using one, anyway.

No, don't ditch it.

I'll get used to the movement, I shouldn't have said anything.

Mine is another one of those difficult ones to figure out ;)

ItzRandy is reflective of it's Randy (which I know needed to be explained)! I use it because it basically leaves no doubt as to who I am.

As for my avtar, I forget which one I selected so as soon as I post this I'll figure it out and update my post. I believe it is called early onset of senility!

Ahhh Yes, the Skunk ..... That's because my wife calls me "Stinky"! Ahhh, the affection!

My username is my name! The G. is for Greg.
The avatar is an image of Mars since I am into astronomy. For a while, I had a picture of myself as my avatar, but it started to get creepy seeing my face staring back at me amidst all of these cartoon character avatars!

No Doug, I actually had a good laugh when I saw it. It think it fits you perfectly in this whole situation. Please Don't trash it, I was just teasing about it. :)

ItzRandy
Stinky heh?? Is there a good story there? I thought it was because you were a casanova like Pepe Lepew. :)

Greg
I wondered what your new one was. Looks good but I liked that face staring back at me. :) But I guess I can see how you would feel seeing yourself every time you're on.
DJ

Not very original with just my name! I really didn't know how to create an avatar when first joined the group. I know I have seen a thread around here somewhere about it...so If I really feel the need I know I can just search for the info :)

Originally posted by DJ Dubovsky
ItzRandy
Stinky heh?? Is there a good story there? I thought it was because you were a casanova like Pepe Lepew. :)

I could only wish there was a good story to this one. She swears that I have alien DNA that puts me in a class all my own! Talk about an inferiority complex! I think I stay married for the abuse!:D

Well, mine is obvious.
I posted my own pic because I discovered I could, and I was hoping to start a trend.

I like the idea of putting a face to a name. I just seem to relate to a face better than a cartoon or some other symbol. This group is very personable, and a face just seems appropriate, especially when you think about what we are all about-photographs.

So my vote (if we had one) would be to show a face - any face, so we can see who we're talking to.

I use the name Sanda because it's a name my young cousin calls me and when I signed up with this group I had just spent the day with her and had heard the name constantly so I guess it was etched in my brain. My name is Sandra, if I knew how I would change Sanda to Sandra.
As for the mouse avitar I use, well when I chose that I was feeling like a little mouse in such a large place and wanted to hide in my little mouse hole. I guess I was feeling a bit intimidated by the awesome talent here.

I think there is a way to change it but I like Sanda. It's unique and so are you. As for the mouse, I think you have become the mouse that roared. :D I would say you rank right up there in that talent list.
DJ

Re Doug's avatar: I was convinced it was demonstrating the latest typing technique.

Vikki - I definitely agree with you there. Remember that thread when I tried to persuade people to post their photos? Well, that fell right on its face (sorry!), didn't it? Obviously, most people prefer anonymity ...

Okay, I'll take on the "challenge" and change my avatar to a teeny picture of me. I started out with Snoopy lying on his doghouse in the sun -- I love dogs and live in sunny Arizona -- then changed it to our beautiful state flag, and now to me lying in the sun with a baby tiger -- the tiger cub was cropped out due to size restrictions. He's cuter but he never learned Photoshop. (No, I don't live with a tiger, but I did get to spend 15 minutes with two cubs as a fundraising project for a wild animal park in the area.)

My name is CJ, which is what my family called me since I was a kid(short for Carolyn Jean). This is a "homey" group, and I feel comfortable using it here.

I did not see the instructions for using a personal avatar. Please advise as to what the procedure is.

thanks,

Alan

Alan
Check out the bottom of this thread (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1459&highlight=Avatars) for intructions on getting an avatar.
DJ

All right, CJ!
Good to see you.
I envy you, living in Arizona. My parents, sister, and brother live there too. They often tell me how much they love it (usually when we're having a terrible snow storm, here in the outskirts of Buffalo, NY).

Vikki,

I may go back to an anonymous avatar after a short trial -- I agree with Greg that it feels strange looking at my own face on the monitor surrounded by cute mice and mysterious planets. It is nice to see who we're talking to, but the other avatars show some of our interests -- like Greg's fascination with astronomy. Maybe I will create a file with my face hiding behind one of my interests -- like Sam and her camera. :)

My friend down the street moved here from the Detroit area, and LOVES to call her daughter who still lives there when we're having sunny 70's or 80's days and Detroit is having snow (like this week).

I think there are fewer calls when the summer monsoon hits, but then she says that it's more comfortable here at 112 degrees and 35% humidity than in Michigan with 90 degrees and 90% humidity.

Hey, nice to see ya CJ. :)
DJ

Vikki guilted me back into using my picture :D

Well, seeing as I passed 30 posts, I decided to add an avatar as well. Pic was run thru the smudge stick filter to make it more indistinct ;).

As for the name, big does not refer to stature, but rather to the hair. A name that has followed me from varsity days. As you may be able to see, even though the beard is white, the hair is still big :lol:

CJ - Although I like seeing the faces, I believe one should do whatever makes them feel comfortable here. One of the things I like about using my picture, is that I can easily find a post I wrote, in case I need to refer back - it sort of sticks out from the crowd.
Also true here about the negative weather - I don't hear too much about that.

C. Couch - I can't help it, I just like your picture better!

BigAl - Hi, I like your avatar, makes me think of a sticker. Great story on your nickname too!

My little initaials look lost on this page. :D

Greg, nice to see your smiling face again. I must admit, I missed it when you changed avatars. :)

BigAl, looks like you're no longer a fledgling. :D There's definately no mistaking what the Big stands for with all that hair. :) I'm green with envy. :)

CJ I applaud your bravery and say it's a nice picture. Nice to see you too. Maybe I may get brave sometime and post something older than my school photo. :)
DJ

Hey Sharon, nice new avatar ;)

Thanks Al.

BigAl says "Hey Sharon, nice new avatar!"

I'll second that. If I remember correctly -- you've suddenly grown up!

CJ - my old avatar was too young for the 'Regards' thread. LOL

Sharon

The new one has a 'soft' quality that reminded me of 1960's Kodachrome. Am I anywhere near ?

No, it's only about a year old. It's just a bad pic but I couldn't find anything else. Taken in shadow and printed on icky paper.

Hey - how old do you think I am anyway Chris? :)

1960's kodachrome...that was low! Where is the smack-him- upside the head icon!

I thought so too, Greg. I'm still in tears.:)

Purely a technical query I assure you. The thought of insulting Sharon was never further from my mind ! Tears of sincerity are dripping onto the keyboard as I write.............

:)

:oldman: Hmmm, and just why isn't there an old lady (erase, erase...) mature woman icon available for use around here?

Now, then -- Just what would be insulting about having a portrait made with 1960's Kodachrome? My earliest portraits were in 1940's black & white, and '60's Kodachrome sounds pretty good to me. :D

Oh there's nothing wrong with it CJ. But that picture is of me at the age of 48 - I think that would make me a pretty old if it was taken in 1960. I'm just giving Chris a hard time. Not that he's ever given me one of course.

It isn't a good pic but I hide from cameras so that's what I get!

:)

CJ - I think Chris was trying to have a bit of fun (see "regards from the UK" thread for reference). I think it's some kind of cross thread, tongue-in-cheek, gender warfare. ;)

Don't worry, gang, I know this is all fun. Just wanted to slip my turn in before the next broadside from the UK. :tongue:

I love to wander through the "Regards from the UK" thread also, but am definitely not up to the standards of humor required to post there. Love to lurk and see what Chris, Tom, Sharon and others are up to, tho.

Ok, back to your "cross thread, tongue-in-cheek, gender warfare"
:shocked:

CJ please, any help you can give is always appreciated. :)

Especially with Tom and Chris.

Sharon

I think the remarks following my innocent technical query must hasten my retreat to 'Regards From' that haven were 'New Men' such as Tg and myself can discuss household tasks without any gender bias.

I just stumbled across this thread and thought I'd jump in here...

BTW, you people are all silly!

I was using Bill the Cat because I still miss him & Opus and because he looks like I feel a lot of the time :lol: Maybe he got in a tangle with Greg's "smack upside of the head" icon... (Hey Greg - what happened to the baseball hat pic?? I liked it...)

I just got brave though, and stuck a pic of me up here. I figure it's only fair since I really like seeing other people's pics on their posts. I may go back to Bill, though. I just have a soft spot for the ol' guy...

Oh, Jakaleena is because a long time ago when I started using the internet I tried Jackie, Jacqueline, Jackie Sue and every other version of my name I could think of and soon found that it was COMMON (Snif. Me. Common. Imagine that...). So, I made up a version that I liked and found that not a lot of other people had it. I use it for most everything. But, I usually shorten it to Jak when I sign things. For my whole life, if I've known anyone for more than 5 minutes, Jackie ALWAYS gets shortened to "Jack".

Jak, (NOT Jackie, Jacqueline, Jackie Sue, Jack)

Nothing would make you appear COMMON, as your wit and talent would always show through, but I remember searching for my first screennames when I joined AOL years ago -- didn't want to be one of those anonymous souls named Carolyn2347 :robot: :thmbdwn:

I'm glad you posted a photo, at least temporarily, so we could all meet you 'face to face'. I'm a 'Bloom County' fan also -- Opus more than Bill the Cat, so if we see your face one day and the next day you have whiskers and a dazed look -- we'll understand.

Now with Greg -- we don't even know if ANY of those faces are really his... :D

It's so nice to SEE everyone!!

Originally posted by CJ Swartz


Now with Greg -- we don't even know if ANY of those faces are really his... :D

Man, there are like 2 good pictures of me in existance in this universe! One of the reasons I went into photography was so I'd never EVER have to have one of those things pointed AT me! I've heard there are some people who actually like being on the receiving end, in the spotlight so to speak, but I thought they were a myth - until I saw Greg's revolving picture show... :cool: LOL

(just teasing you GC..) :D

Originally posted by Vikki
It's so nice to SEE everyone!!

It really is, isn't it? I like it too.

But Doug, I forgot to mention that I really do like your avatar. Really. I always look forward to seeing someone else banging their head on my desktop besides ME...! :lmao:

Thanks. It's not original, and has been edited twice (once by me, and once by a helpful member).

I found this big version since I found the one I use:

I normally use forums under then name: thehermit, I suppose the name is self explanatory:) , however for some reason I chose to register under my real name - hmmm...go figure!:blank:

I like thehermit. Cute user name but it's nice you felt at ease enough here to log on as Mike too. :)
DJ

I used ghoffman because that's the format the computer services department used (first initial followed by last name) when my computer user ID was assigned at work years ago. So I don't have to try to remember different IDs, I use that when I can.

I chose my avatar just because it's cute, and it represents my "still a kid at heart" attitude. I haven't been here long enough to get to post a picture :bawling: but I probably wouldn't anyway. I'd much rather be taking the picture than be in it.

Gene

well... There is a story to the RonDon.. a little one... I used to have to checkcall often and there was more than one Ron at the company... so a well liked dispatcher started calling me RonDon.. and I like it... also was easier to use to sign endless paper work..

now as to the avatar I really wanted to post my photo icon .. does seem to make it more personable. (that a word ? ) but didn't see the option and figured it was for members .. feel somehow if you all see my face.. you'll be gentle with me..:tired:

maybe I'll look into it.. can profiles be edited here ? how ..if so..

anyhow like all of your's and agree that Doug's suits his position..
RonDon

Originally posted by CJ Swartz


Now with Greg -- we don't even know if ANY of those faces are really his... :D

I admit...it's not really me. This is the real me!!! :D

Originally posted by Jakaleena


I've heard there are some people who actually like being on the receiving end, in the spotlight so to speak, but I thought they were a myth - until I saw Greg's revolving picture show... :cool: LOL

(just teasing you GC..) :D


They forced me into using my picture...I tried to change to a more generic image once, and the backlash was terrible! They bullied me into using my own photo! :bawling:


Ron - Just click "User CP" on the menu, go to "Edit Option" and at the bottom you can click the "change avatar" button.

thanks GC... you made me realize that using 800x600 screen resolution isn't a good thing here... switched to 1024x768 and presto !!! larger menu ..
RonDon

Originally posted by G. Couch

They forced me :bawling:


Bunch o' big meanies...:mad:

Per Greg: I admit...it's not really me. This is the real me!!!

Greg, THAT image of the "real you" is the FIRST picture of you that isn't totally adorable.... :shocked: :wink:
'Sincerely',
one of the "big ol' meanies" :D


RonDon, I'm glad you joined the photo avatar club! Looking at your face, however, gives me no clue as to why we should "be gentle with you" ...:devil: :wink:

Wooooah...! Bad drugs....!

Oh, nope, can't be that - I didn't take any today... Nevermind.


I just noticed Rondon's eyes are blinking...! It's sorta like that weird eye blinking guy from Men In Black... Kinda neat in a creepy sort of way... :lmao:

creepy !!!! oh no... and I put on my best face
RonDon

well looks like someone gave us our own thread for animated avitars.. good deal... this below may get you there.


http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2430&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

RonDon

I don't think you look creepy blinking ;0

I like Jak's kiss. I tried doing one last night but gave up.

Thanks for the tips.

Lisa

What's an avatar? Is it the little pic on the left? I wanted to put a pic in mine tonite but can't figure out how.
as far as fugitive goes, it's self explanitory.

Originally posted by fugitive
What's an avatar? Is it the little pic on the left? I wanted to put a pic in mine tonite but can't figure out how.

Go to User CP at the bottom of the menu. Then click on edit options. The avatar setup is at the bottom of the page - just click on Change Avatar and pick one out or upload one you like (if you upload one it has to be 50x50 pixels if I remember correctly).

Hey guys, I see Greg2 has finally revealed his face ;)

hey Greg (a.k.a. fugitive),

I like your new avatar :thumbsup: it's nice to see people's actual faces on here.

- David :)

It's not really me, it's an out of work actor I found in downtown Portland. Ask Lisa.

:D

I noticed you have a new face too, David.

:tongue:

thanks Jak,
I finally found something that looked a bit less like a mug shot :D

- David :)

tee hee - don't get me started Greg. Wasn't it Mike that said, I spoiled for him as he like you as Osma's look alike!

Lisa

Who is the blond Greg2? Another out of work? :D

Ask Ron, he is responsible for her, course, I don't mind.

fugitive is my moniker all over the net, since '99 when I got my 1st puter(486/66)
the reason was, to be anonymous, I didn't know then that ones email is on the headers in a lot of places.
I wanted the name to be different and cool.
I could feel empathy with David Kimball, and the real Dr.

guess it's time to try and explain my ID name. It has been my yahoo ID for 4 years. When I was picking it every form of Marie Dubois, marie, mdubois and so on was gone, at that moment there happened to be an old Raven printer in my line of vision so in my impatience..... md are my initials. I know that's pretty lame, but someone once told me they thought it meant ravin' mad.:D
Now I simply keep it because it's my yahoo ID and makes it easier to just have the same one everywhere.

I like photo avatars because I think it's great to have an actual visual idea of the people we are talking with. So much of the Internet is very annoymous. Of course it IS possible you are just looking at one of my client's photos.. maybe I'm really a one armed man......

Ok young lady, let's see some ID, got anything with your picture on it?

someone once told me they thought it meant ravin' mad.

If that's anywhere near true, you BELONG here! :D

maybe I'm really a one armed man......

It's funny... My husband once said to me that we are the pioneers of a new type of human communication. He once asked if it made a difference if I knew what the person I was talking to looked like. I thought long and hard about the answer and honestly came up with NO. It mattered more what they were saying and how we interacted. He then said - so, you could be talking to a computer programmed with responses and it wouldn't make a difference? Again, I thought about this and said NO.

Think about it.

Sounds strange but do we really know the people we chat with? Or is what we get from those relationships more valueable?

Lisa
P.S. No I haven't been smoking any strange cigarettes! LOL

Can't agree with that Lisa. Since I am Very visually oriented, everything gets judged first by the way it looks and then the other stuff. If I'm writing to someone whos
picture is a lizard, it will definitly affect the way I perceive that person.

Hmmmm... Interesting statement Greg, considering your 2 choices of Avatars so far... ;)

Lisa,

I agree with you. I have made many online friends while taking courses these past four years. People seem to evaluate others by their actions and the spirit of cooperation was pleasantly surprising. That same atmosphere exists on RetouchPro.

Alan

With just words to read, you get a "picture" of the person inside, and not the person outside. I think the world would be so much better off if we all were blind, and had only words to hear to "see" another person.
:wavey:

I agree completely, BK

Or, as I once heard someone say, "any idiot can put a satin ribbon around a rubber dog turd..." ;)

snicker

Lisa, Alan, Blacknight, Jak- well said. If any of you ARE computers, I admire your programming.

Hey Sanda, nice to see you too ;)

It's a terrible picture but I don't have many of me, I usually hide behind the camera. :lol: I thought I could sneak it in with out being noticed. :lol:

I usually hide behind the camera :D I wonder how many of us have the same problem - have to do what Sam did and take a pic in the mirror :lol:

Hey Sanda,
Nice to see your smiling face. (A very nice face I might add) :) We always think our pictures are bad. You should see the trouble I went through trying to find and acceptable one. :D

I thought I could sneak it in with out being noticed.
:lol: So did I with my sneaky little inserted pic but they noticed about 2 minutes after I posted it. Welcome to the growing group of faces.
DJ

I started out with eeyore - my favorite character, but I went to part of an image I created for one of my websites a couple years ago. It is actually a picture of my friend's son, who I helped care for when he was first born. The full image is of two babies, the other one being another friend's baby daughter, but I could only fit one into the avatar. (I love babies).

The name chiquitita is from the ABBA song, when I signed up with my first ISP I used that as my user name because at the time nobody else had it.

nice lively one

Hi Chiquitita
Love your avatar. It's so cute. :D
DJ

Thanks DJ, the moment I put it up I wanted to take it back down. :lol: but I thought it was time I came out from behind my mouse mask, after all if others are brave enough to show their faces then I am too. :)

It's funny when you think how many strangers see your face on a daily basis but for some reason pasting it on a website is not easy. :D It took me awhile to get up the courage.
DJ

Well my user name on this forum is my first initial +last name. On some other forums I use Harleynut 97.

I started seeing so many animated avatars being used I took it on as a mini personal challenge to come up with my own.

If it gives anybody headaches or you just get sick of looking at it let me know and I'll ditch it.

Have a good night,

Carl (aka cendres, harleynut97)

Carl,
Are you kidding??? With Doug's head banger, me in neon colors and a subliminal picture, then Sanda with her sideways waterfall or Greg Couch and his revolving earth..... Shall I continue?? :lol: By comparison yours seems rather tame. :D But I do like it so don't take that as another challenge. :)
DJ

No way! Don't ditch it...the morphing bike is cool! :cool:

got my vote

Hey Sanda, I see your pic disappeared again!! :confused:

Is the hideaway worm how you feel? :)

Originally posted by DJ Dubovsky
[B]Hey Sanda,
Nice to see your smiling face. (A very nice face I might add) :) We always think our pictures are bad. You should see the trouble I went through trying to find and acceptable one. :D




Me too, that's why I had to invent one.
greg

Yes Al I thought it was a good place to hide.