Flashing and/or rapidly moving avatars

[moon/Laura]

Hey everyone.. In the last week, I have been approached a couple of times regarding avatars that move rapidly and/ or have bright flashing movements.

The posters that have talked to me have sensitivities to this type of avatar due to seizures or epilepsy, and though no one has actually experienced a problem (yet!), I'd like to avoid that happening if at all possible.

For that reason, I am asking all of you that might have an avatar like I've described to please change it to something else out of courtesy for your fellow boardies.

*** As of 9/4/12, adding that these types of graphics, in general, should be avoided.
Thanks

[chiver78]

thank you!

[moon/Laura]

I actually feel bad asking, because people like what they have for a reason.. But I would feel worse if it caused someone to have a problem.

[pauletteg]

I was going to change mine, but the banner ad I saw while I was logging in had one of those rapidly flashing graphics that is more likely to cause seizures then my li'l alien tangerine, and more people will see that than they would my avatar.

[moon/Laura]

Paulette, I don't think yours is of the type that would cause much of a problem.. it doesn't move *that* much.. someone had one that was sort of a spiral type movement though, which was a potential issue.. and yes.. some of those ads ARE bad... they get reported to proboards...

[chiver78]

I feel horrible too, which is why I never asked. I'd just scroll past 'em as fast as I could! I'm not an epileptic, but the vast majority of my friends will attest that strobes and light/movements with little other ambient light can simulate strobes (like ceiling fans on HI) and will cause quick and severe nausea, and balance issues.

[Value Buy]

By the same token if I had health issues over flashing avatars, and lights, and I could disable the Avatars, I would disable them and not worry about it.
Better to be proactive to yourself than have someone else do it for you.
Seriously.

[moon/Laura]

that's a good point value buy...

[Value Buy]

Oh, and I did remove my Avatar, as it was irritating to me.
Only had one since April first. I felt left out because I never had one when the prank was pulled.
You would of thought Virgil would have given non Avatar members some real good ones

[whispering17]

Gosh, is mine bothersome? I will change it, if it is.

[moon/Laura]

no whispering. i'm pretty sure yours is fine..

it's only of concern if it contains bright "strobe-like' flashes and movements... or the spiral thing i mentioned earlier..



Value buy, thanks.. if you need help finding another, let me know... i will see what i can dig up that fits your interests.

[Value Buy]

No thanks Moonbeam, but it was on the Refugee board's list, so it should have been ok, otherwise it would not have been there.........

Now, if you want to talk smite buttons.............

[Befferz]

I know mine probably isn't too bad, but I was thinking of changing it anyway. Of course, I'm not sure what else I can find that summarizes "me" quite so well, but I'll see what I can find.

[moon/Laura]

thing is VB, the sites i gave have a ton of stuff on there, so i didn't screen them at all.. i just threw out a few places to look...



beff, i think yours is funny.. in fact, that's exactly how *I* pole dance...

[Befferz]

So I guess this one would be out??? (I didn't post this as a pic on purpose.)

www.forumsextreme.com/images/aFu_SEIZURE.gif

[ed1066]

There's an option in your profile settings to hide avatars. Select "yes" and you won't see anyone's avatars at all.

[deziloooooo]

Apr 12, 2011 22:55:25 GMT -5 @ed1066 said:

There's an option in your profile settings to hide avatars. Select "yes" and you won't see anyone's avatars at all.

But then you miss out on all the uniquenesses

[Bluerobin]

Good thinking Moon. That is a very valid concern.

[mmhmm]

Whispering and Paulette, your avatars aren't the type that will cause any problems to anyone. A lot has to do with the contrast and the rate of flash. Some people are very susceptible. Yes, they could turn off avatars completely, but lots of the avatars really are cute and expressive of the person who chose that particular avatar. It would be a shame for those who are impacted by flashing, swirling avatars to have to miss all the avatars just becuase of one, or two that were problematic, I think. There are lots to choose from and it's very kind of those who aren't bothered to have a thought for those who might be.

While I'm not one who's bothered by the movements, I offer my thanks to all who have found something that suits them but doesn't bother others!

[mmhmm]

Hee! Yeah, befferz! That one would be out! ;D

[mmhmm]

Headaches, dizziness, vertigo, balance disturbances, sight issues, nausea ... there are a number of problems that can arise in susceptible individuals, Snerdley. I'm sorry you're one who's bothered, as there are a lot of things on the internet that people just don't think about, including ads by large companies that get all up in your face with their flashing and wiggling. Some people probably get headaches and don't even realize what's causing it.

[moon/Laura]

Snerd, the person that had that avatar is using something else now..


i had one person i had PMed about it (prior to my accouncement) tell me flat out "nope. i like it".. and tell me i'm a "progressive authoritarian liberal who wants to control everyone else" then he told me to F myself ... and said it was my fault because "i made it available"... only i have no control over what's on the web that people choose.

[chiver78]

Apr 13, 2011 9:00:44 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

Snerd, the person that had that avatar is using something else now..


i had one person i had PMed about it (prior to my accouncement) tell me flat out "nope. i like it".. and tell me i'm a "progressive authoritarian liberal who wants to control everyone else" then he told me to F myself ... and said it was my fault because "i made it available"... only i have no control over what's on the web that people choose.

wow....so nice of them.

[mmhmm]

Apr 13, 2011 9:00:44 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

Snerd, the person that had that avatar is using something else now..


i had one person i had PMed about it (prior to my accouncement) tell me flat out "nope. i like it".. and tell me i'm a "progressive authoritarian liberal who wants to control everyone else" then he told me to F myself ... and said it was my fault because "i made it available"... only i have no control over what's on the web that people choose.

Heh. Now, if it were me, I'd change that avatar choice to something else. Just as it was inadvertently approved in the first place, it can be disapproved and removed just as easily.

Of course, I can be a bit ornery. ;D

[ty]

Apr 13, 2011 7:28:25 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Whispering and Paulette, your avatars aren't the type that will cause any problems to anyone. A lot has to do with the contrast and the rate of flash. Some people are very susceptible. Yes, they could turn off avatars completely, but lots of the avatars really are cute and expressive of the person who chose that particular avatar. It would be a shame for those who are impacted by flashing, swirling avatars to have to miss all the avatars just because of one, or two that were problematic, I think. There are lots to choose from and it's very kind of those who aren't bothered to have a thought for those who might be.

While I'm not one who's bothered by the movements, I offer my thanks to all who have found something that suits them but doesn't bother others!

This makes me thin about the kids in school that are allergic to peanut-butter. A few kids are allergic to peanut-butter, now all the kids are punished for it because they cannot bring or eat peanut-butter in schools now, but it's ok to eat crappy junk-food and soda.

[mmhmm]

Agreed, Krawler. What children eat for lunch is important to many parents and peanut butter is a good protein source that most children will eat. Those who are allergic to peanut butter need to be taught, at home, to stay away from it. Children at school must be taught not to share their lunches and it should be explained to them that some foods can cause real problems for some people. Those who insist on doing it need to be handled separately.

Children, though, are children. They're self-centered by nature. It's something we're expected to grow out of, but something that must be tolerated in little ones. I don't think that same self-centeredness needs to be tolerated in adults. We're capable of thinking of someone other than ourselves, and should be expected to do so, at times.

[ty]

Apr 13, 2011 9:26:05 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Agreed, Krawler. What children eat for lunch is important to many parents and peanut butter is a good protein source that most children will eat. Those who are allergic to peanut butter need to be taught, at home, to stay away from it. Children at school must be taught not to share their lunches and it should be explained to them that some foods can cause real problems for some people. Those who insist on doing it need to be handled separately.

Children, though, are children. They're self-centered by nature. It's something we're expected to grow out of, but something that must be tolerated in little ones. I don't think that same self-centeredness needs to be tolerated in adults. We're capable of thinking of someone other than ourselves, and should be expected to do so, at times.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Moon, we're nothing but trouble for you but we love you for all you do here for us. Karma to Moom when I regenerate.

[commentator]

Avatars flash?

[ty]

Apr 13, 2011 10:54:45 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Moon, we're nothing but trouble for you but we love you for all you do here for us. Karma to Moom when I regenerate.