Disabling ANNOYING Animated Avatars?

Depends which browser you have. Extensions are available for various browsers.

This should help:
http://bit.ly/1cFCADp

You know you can block all avatars with the click box above, right?

I usually have it in "disabled" mode because I find myself judging content based on something I find pretty lame. "Cute" is only good for about 2 seconds.

@Paul, Thanks. I'm using Safari so I'll do a search now that I know to look for animated GIFs.

@Greg, I was hoping to disable just the animations but I will use the button when needed. Some forums allow you to click on and disable specific avatars.

Appreciate the feedback : )

Thanks, Greg and Mags! It got to the point where I quickly scrolled past Ian's posts without reading them, distracting as his avatar was. I'm sure that I missed some good posts, but I preserved my sanity. Now I'm good, no dancing avatars.

Thanks Paul.

about:config
image.animation_mode none

Sweet.

[Firefox 22.0]

Yes. I find the animated avatars quite annoying also. Was wandering when someone other than me would complain about them. Was hoping that maybe the site administrators would block them.

But for now, I am using Firefox. Anyone know of an add-on that would block those things?
I'm surprised it doesn't already as it blocks most popups and animated ads on other sites.

thanks in advance for your help…

Billy

Look at the Google results. Several steps and links to Firefox specific methods.

Sub links for other browsers at the end of the results, too

Or, you know, someone could just politely ask them to change their avatar. Don't look at me though.

I mean I love Groundhog Day but the eating seen gets old.
Maybe Ian can change it to the seen where Bill Murray drops the toaster in the tub?
That would be funny for while…. Just sayin :)

Avatar has been changed. Bill Murray was a couple GIFs ago so maybe try hitting F5 for Windows or Command R for Mac OS to refresh your page.

Messages received regarding this = zero. Unfortunately WSU didn't offer Internet Mind Reading 101 so I admit I'm lacking in that department. I thought it was funny and now see that's not universally seen that way. A polite PM would have rectified this issue preventing the collapse of civilization many days ago.

The good news is that we can now write each other's name down on our individual "do not under any circumstances hike with" lists and move on with our lives.

Now back to the Duck Dynasty crisis.

Ian,
After reading your post I attempted to send you a PM and noticed you do not have one set up. Unfortunately my telepathy skills are as of yet lacking as well. I do not claim to represent any sort of majority regarding the matter of annoyance created by animated GIFs in Avatars and was simply attempting to find a solution to satisfy my own neurosis. As the OP I feel it appropriate to apologize for the fact that you were singled out and appreciate your action by changing it up. I believe my twitch is surely beginning to subside.

Cheers

Edit: I now see that your PM is setup. I guess you have to be logged in to see the option otherwise is states that one is not 'setup'. My mistake.

I found the fast-paced animation amusing the first few times, but later to be kind of distracting.

But I never thought it was anyone being intentionally annoying.

I tried changing my avatar for a specific post but peoples' browsers pick up those changes over widely different time scales if at all, so I don't tweak it anymore.

There was a beloved forum member before my time that apparently tweaked his avatar in amusing and topical ways. We wore memorial pins on the Grand Canyon R2R2R hike.

That previous paragraph is true and shouldn't be taken as a threat.

I changed mine as well.
I can see how they might get annoying.

I find black and white avatars with some indistinguishable animal far in the distance to be really irritating. Really takes away from all the colorful ones. Anyone know how I can just turn off the B&W avatars but still see the colorful ones?

I resent being called an indistinguishable animal Doug. Put your glasses on and you will see that I'm actually quite distinguished.

hmmmmmm,
cultivate an obsession for avatars …
or spend more time in the great outdoors,
hmmmmmmm …..
at the very least maybe start that DIY gear project you've been dreaming about.

So what I learned from this is a meth fueled manic Mr. Bean double fisting chicken legs is distracting to some people.

I'm chalking this up as a life lesson and walking away from this experience a better man.

Gerald and the kind gent who sent me a PM… no worries. If you haven't received the memo, I'm a bit of a diva.

Happy trails all.

looks to me like you have a black and white with indistinguishable animal in far background

my avatar was when I was in a blizzard

It's a dang goat.

"Unfortunately WSU didn't offer Internet Mind Reading 101 so I admit I'm lacking in that department."

Wsu. That explains it!

How 'bout everyone just posts a picture of themselves, and perhaps their favorite fuzzy hiking companion? Although I did enjoy Justin's sunglasses one.

If you stare at Mr. Fox long enough it will *look* like he is moving. Go ahead try it!

Thank you very much whoever posted about disabling the animated avatars. I was just trying to figure it out myself and had not
noticed the check box at the upper left.
Done ! So much better.
I don't mind still avatars but those stupid animation get to me.

Larry