Displaying avatars in forum blocks

[LostInCyberLand]

I am running 4.2.2 Pristine and am unable to get avatars to display beside the 'New posts' 'New Threads' etc in forum blocks and was wondering if anyone had figured out a work around for this. Thanks.

[HM666]

What do you mean exactly? Do you have a screen shot or a link that we can see what the problem is?

[ku-med]

if you mean custom avatars don't show up in the side blocks then you've to set the permission for /images/avatars/thumbs to chmod 777
then from admincp --> Maintenance > Update Counters > Rebuild Custom Avatar thumbnails

or if you want to display avatar near the last post in forumdisplay i think you need to install a product like this one -> Last Poster Avatar

[LostInCyberLand]

Hi. I am meaning the blocks to the right. I have an example of another website that has the avatars beside the posts in the forum blocks and can be seen here

http://www.dallascowboysuniverse.com/forum.php

I was not necessarily looking for avatars on the forum it'slef. Although I do admit they make the forum look more personable and 'alive' with real people.

I am not sure, do you find your users prefer avatars on the forum it'self or not? I am only going by the big forums who don't seem to do anything like that.

Although by having avatars in the forum blocks I am trying to make the forum more personable without making it too much by having them on the forum also.

Any advice is always welcome. Thanks again for the helpful replies.

[HM666]

That is a problem in the skin then you would need to contact the original skin author for help on that one. That usually comes standard with a skin unless the person who created the skin took it out for whatever reason.

[LostInCyberLand]

Thanks HM666 for clarification of this. I am unable to contact the original creator. I may just use the mod ku-med mentioned above and hopefully that will restore avatars everywhere. I guess more avatars will give the feeling of the presence of people which may benefit the forum.

Although then again that mod seems to only be for the forum it'self.

Either that or I just leave it as is.

[HM666]

Well installing a mod will not fix your problem if its in the templates of your custom skin or of a skin you bought and that person saw fit to take that bit out of the template. It will not matter what you install you will NOT see the avatars if they took it out. Give us a link to your site so we can see what the issue is.

[ku-med]

Does it showing only the default avatar not the custom ones .. if yes then I think your problem with the image folder's permission in your server. Double check if it's given chmod 777 or not.

[LostInCyberLand]

Hi. Custom avatars show up fine in posts. Nothing special to see, it is just the Pristine style. Shows no avatars default or custom in forum blocks to the right with 'new posts' etc. I have decided to leave as is as all the 'big boards' are very minimal and seem to be very successful. Yes you are right it is something that has been taken out of the skin and not something fixed with a mod. I do wonder why someone would take out that feature as the board does look lifeless as a result. I just think if everyone is going mobile I won't worry anymore about micro managing what it looks like on a traditional screen.

[Gio~Logist]

Originally Posted by LostInCyberLand

Hi. Custom avatars show up fine in posts. Nothing special to see, it is just the Pristine style. Shows no avatars default or custom in forum blocks to the right with 'new posts' etc. I have decided to leave as is as all the 'big boards' are very minimal and seem to be very successful. Yes you are right it is something that has been taken out of the skin and not something fixed with a mod. I do wonder why someone would take out that feature as the board does look lifeless as a result. I just think if everyone is going mobile I won't worry anymore about micro managing what it looks like on a traditional screen.

For forums, the whole "everyone is going mobile aspect" is hit or miss. Some still only get about 7% traffic on mobile, which is pretty low. I would install analytics and take a look for yourself to get a better understanding of where and how your members are accessing your site.