Larian Studios Forums General About this website How to get an avatar... a step by step guide

Ok, after a lot of frustration and trial and error, I finally figured out how to get my own personal avatar. So I've decided to write a how-to guide for others, who, like me, are somewhat hopeless with computers (Note: I use Netscape as my Browser).
Step 1: Use your favourite search engine to search for 'Free Avatars' on the internet. When you find an image that you like, right-click on it to bring up its dialog box. Left-click on 'Properties' to find out if the image is the right size for this forum (80 x 80 pixels or less). If it is the right size, then go back to the dialog box and left-click on 'Copy Image Location'( for Netscape user's) or 'Copy Shortcut' ( for Internet Explorer user's) then leave the site.
Now load up this site and open 'My Home' to edit your personal information. In the space where it asks for the 'URL to your picture', left-click on the space and backspace out any information that is already entered there.
Now go to the toolbar at the very top of your 'Browser' window (where it says File, Edit, View, Bookmarks ect) left-click on 'Edit' then left-click 'Paste' and the address of the image you chose should be pasted into the space provided. Click the 'Submit' button and when you return to your main page you should see your new avatar.
Step 2: If the image you want is too large for the forum, then things are a little more complicated. Right-click on the image to bring up its dialog box. Then left-click 'save image as', give it a catchy name that you'll remember and download it to your own computer.
I usually choose to save image files in 'My documents', but where-ever you choose to save it, just remember where it is and it's name, so that you can find it again.
Step 3: Now you'll need an 'Image Editor' to change the size of the image and then re-save it at the new size. You can download a FREE image editor from this link http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/ just scroll down the page and follow the instructions on 'How to Install'.
Step 4: Now you have to get your picture on the web! If you don't already have your own web page, then go to something like http://www.boomspeed.com/ that offers free web space. Sign up for a free account (note; the site asks you to provide personal information such as your name, address, phone number ect. But you don't have to provide any of this to get an account, all it needs is your email and first name) and then upload your picture from your computer onto your new web page. To do this, click one of the 'Browse' buttons, this will open a window to your computers folders. Change the 'Look In' box at the top of the window to the folder where you saved your image (such as 'My Documents'). Click on the name of your image to select it, then click 'Open'. The name of your picture should now appear in the 'My Files' box at the top of the page. Just click on this name to load your picture. When it appears, right-click on the image and follow the instructions exactly the same way as you did in Step 1.

Best of luck to you

If anybody knows of a better or simpler way please post your suggestions. I'm still fairly new to computers and really don't have much of a clue! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Hi, you have a small problem. Geocities doesn't allow to link pictures (only you can see your avatar).

Look into this thread. There can you find a better webspace for your avatar.

LOL and she's writing a guide <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

no offence <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />:p

Nice guide <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Small remark: I wouldn't recommend using the original URL of an image if ye find one on the web (as in step one)... Chances are that some day that picture will be removed from that site and then you'll have no way to get yer avatar back... I would suggest to *always* download the picture, and upload it at yer own (or someone ye know) website, this way ye won't risk suddenly losing it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

kej, whos number one of the off topic posters? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Alrik <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Now hush! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shhh.gif" alt="" />

yeah, K-man has actually answered on topic... oops, now I went <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" /> myself. sorry for that, nice guide though

Has anybody called my name ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

By the way: Good that you wrote this Guide. Maybe somone other can use it.

maybe Lynn ought to make it a sticky

"Step 3: Now you'll need an 'image editor'"

If you don't have an image editor, there are several very good freeware programs you can use. For simple image cropping or re-sizing, you can try IrfanView or XnView. More elaborate editing (layers, etc.) can be done with Pixia or the GIMP.

Ah Drat! and here I thought I was being so clever, sorry folks.
With my limited knowledge, I realise that I shouldn't really be writing a guide at all. But I was so thrilled when I 'thought' that I'd finally worked out how to do it, that I figured I'd write my own guide, to help out other computer newbies who are also struggling with this subject.
Thanks for the link Hellfighter, I've now signed up for a free account with http://www.boomspeed.com and I REALLY hope that my avatar is now FINALLY working.
That's a nice tip Kejero. I never thought of that, thanks. I'll make sure that I download all my pictures from now on.
Thankyou too Raze. The 'Image Editors' I mentioned aren't free, you have to buy them <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" /> I wish I'd known about these free programs before I went out and bought Corel Photo Paint LOL.
By the way if I decide to edit this post with the correct info, will it change the original post or will it simply post a new reply? I'd really like to get this right for anybody who needs it!

Thanks everybody

Click the "Edit" button next to the post you want to change.
For the rest it's similar like you would make a reply.

lynn means that it will change the original post, so no new reply <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Kashya,
As a new person as well, this really helped me! I wanted something original, and i couldn't find anything besides your post on how to acctually load one for my profile.
It's wonderful - thank you!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

D'oh!!! I was looking in the wrong house for that buads tea. As for the avatar,all I can say is ARghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just spent 2 hours trying to find a pix that was 80 x 80,& it ain't happening. I finaly got a pix,but I doubt it works. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ouch.gif" alt="" />

You have one "http://" to much in the link. Remove it, then will your avatar work.

[color:"red"]http://[/color]http://www.interplay.com/fallout2/screens/h2hevade.gif

copy & paste the text behind the avatars from this sides and there won´t be any probs i guess.

http://home.arcor.de/hell.fighter/avatar/index.htm
http://home.arcor.de/weltenwanderer/Avatare.htm

€: <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/memad.gif" alt="" /> hell u bad guy go and read your books and learn for school. and don´t post before me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Lynx

my origional pic was way to large, but i was able to crop it down to 80 x 80. maybe you could try this way to find a good picture?

*i tried to post a link to my original pic, but it won't work, sorry. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

Olá, all good, my name is Bruno, and lives in Brazil. I am with 3 problems, and would like its aid: 1- I have the map of the treasure that has 4 parts, q I I am not only giving account to find the place of the treasure, you can help me? 2- on the 3 sacred weapons, I have the sword and the necklace, you knows where I can find the dagger? 3- on dragon set, I have the glove, the shield and feel it, you I know where I I can find the remaining portion of dragon armor? I finished to congregate the 7 members for the serimonia that will take me for the other world, and still was not because he wanted to find these 3 things, if vc will be able to help me, would be VERY HAPPY. A great one I hug, Bruno.
if you can send me in my E-mail, brunoptu@hotmail.com
TNKS!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Hm, why did you ask these things in about this website ???