Hi there,

I want to offer the 'prize' on my site of a massive avatar. Not in pixels but kb of course. If I set one of say 2mb will it cause the site to slow down for the other users?

If so would say 2mb be an 'acceptable' size or should I go smaller?


Many thanks!

I think 2MB is way too excessive for an avatar (or for most web graphics for that matter). I can't see the need for an avatar to be over 10 K; if you want to go crazy I would keep it under 50 K.

If you're going to do that make sure you give people the option to turn off avatars, no one with dial-up will visit your forum if they have to sit though a 2 MB graphic download every time.

Thanks SV. I did think about dial-up users.

Is making the option to turn off avatars a simple operation?

It's designed to be a marketing ploy. I already offer 50k one's. Nobody seems to make use of it though. I imagine you would have to specificly make even a 1mb av at 150 x150 pixels. They would be cool though. Maybe a good gimmick.

You would have to check with your form software to see if you can turn off avatars. I know it's an easy setting in vBulletin.

I don't know how you could make a 1 MB 150x150 avatar unless it was an animated GIF. It would be cool, but I for one would nto want to sit through it more than once.

Yes, I think you maybe right.

You have to remember that for anyone on an 800x600 resolution, the avatar will take up 1/5 of their screen. Most forums stick to the 60kb 60x60 rule, which won't slow down the site much, and keep it reasonable.

Yes, loading 2mb every time you bring up a page will turn away viewers and even on highspeed will cause slow loading times.

Dan

Thanks everyone