A (major?) change to the Blank Flanks system

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,528]

We've had a restriction in place since the day MLP Forums opened, preventing new members from uploading an avatar until they made five "counted" posts. The restriction was originally implemented with the idea of forcing registrants to make some form of bare minimum contribution to the site before being granted the privilege of putting a face to their name.

 

However, as the community has grown from five hundred members to well over five thousand, the reality is that this restriction resulted in a growing amount of confusion and repeated queries from Blank Flanks puzzled by their inability to upload an avatar. What's more, due to technical restrictions, a new member that uses Gravatar or registered using Facebook Connect or Twitter Connect, would see their avatar/profile photo from those services here on MLP Forums, with no facility to immediately change it.

 

This restriction has been lifted. Blank Flanks are now able to upload a 150x150 avatar up to 100 KB in size, just like Muffins and full members. At this time, they are still unable to create signatures or customize their profile. Additionally, their ability to change their display name has been revoked - without going into too much detail, we recently had a zero-post member "steal" a long-time member's name, then leave the forums never to be seen again. To be able to change your name, you now need to become a Muffin.

 

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I don't expect this change will be turning the community upside down; but I thought it was worth putting a proper announcement together for it because just about everyone here has been affected by the original restriction, and a few of you have taken it upon yourselves to familiarize new members introducing themsleves with the fact that they need to make five posts outside of Cloudsdale Colosseum and the Welcoming Plaza before the avatar settings become functional (thank you, by the way, to all of you who do this!).

 

On a positive note, a creative avatar now has the potential to become a point of conversation with a brand new member when they're still fresh meat around here (and I say that affectionately ). And there's nothing wrong if your first experience with MLP Forums is a more personalized one!

[Finesthour 7,287]

Inb4anotheruprising, likethemodintroductionsdid.

 

I honestly agree with this.

It could stop all of the threads saying, "Y U NO LET ME UPLOAD AVATAR FORUMS."

 

*claps*

Well done Feld0.

[NavelColt 22,882]

This doesn't effect anyone but blank flanks, and in the grand scheme it's not even a big deal :3 #notanothermoduprising

 

Sounds good to me. Not much else to say. Most people are only blank flanks for about ten minutes, if that, and then a bunch of the rest become inactive, anyway, so...yeah.

[Pinkie D Pie 1,036]

A little change. Maybe now when I welcome new members, I can comment on there avatar. Sounds good to me, not really changing much.

[Somebody 570]

Most people are only blank flanks for about ten minutes, if that, and then a bunch of the rest become inactive, anyway, so...yeah.

 

Hey, it took me two days to get five posts that actually counted! Most of my beginning posts were in the "Ask a Pony" forum.

 

Also, I approve of this new change. /)

[Chill Mists (Chilly) 801]

Ah, good. This will make sure there is less confusion surrounding new members and avatars. Good job :3.

[Jokuc 8,174]

From the moment I joined the forums there has been over 9000 new ponies asking about how to change their avatar. So that change will probably eliminate all those questions. Also, the fact that blank flanks can't change their names is good. *thinks about the guy who took Pinkazoid's name*

[kirbyboi 588]

I think this is a very good idea, mainly because newbies won't have to worry or be confused. We've had a lot of new members complain that they can't upload an avatar, or do anything else. By removing the avatar 5 post rule, I'm sure it'll be more easier and less confusing for them. I think it's great for them to have am avatar because like you said, it gives character to them. I always recognize members by their avatar.

 

Hopefully we'll have more worry-free members on MLP forums!

[PonyEcho 1,610]

this seems non-impactedfull, it only rely effects blank flanks. but well, the reason i joined was so that I could make friend and talk MLP and i pretty much became a muffin in around 10 minutes.

[Leo dash 79]

or you know they can read the rules and stuff. i mean i was a blank flank for like 7 minutes in my mind its not that big of a deal.

[Arrow 236]

Yes, no more "WHERS MAH AVATARZ?1?!11" posts!

 

Maybe we could make some other restrictions for them, like the inability to post in specific forums?

[GoneForeverBye 184]

Damn, I feel like a century-old veteran with my 60 posts... :3

 

But isn't it clearly stated that you can't upload an Avatar yet and then redirects you to the rules where all the miscellaneous info is? I thought reading was far more common on the internet, but I guess I have been proven wrong.

 

Anyhow, huzah. Rejoice and stuff.

[False Perception 482]

Doesn't matter. They clearly state stuff in EULA and ToS, but does anyone besides me even read them?

Damn, I feel like a century-old veteran with my 60 posts... :3

 

But isn't it clearly stated that you can't upload an Avatar yet and then redirects you to the rules where all the miscellaneous info is? I thought reading was far more common on the internet, but I guess I have been proven wrong.

 

Anyhow, huzah. Rejoice and stuff.

 

[Ghastchip 33]

I was getting tired of replying to all the new members who couldn't upload an avatar, and while I'm not one for complaining it was clear that they hadn't read the rules, and just entered the forum and registered blindly (which is fine for itunes and such, but no to a forum)

[XrosOver 613]

Eeyup...sounds solid to me....though I have no previous experience in these situations I think that this is reasonable and most likely won't be changed in the future. Though I am curious about the person who "stole" a veteran members user name....?

[Mephala 2,633]

Thank GOD. Or Feld0. But he's a bit like God so it's cool.

This was a much better idea. No more whining about inability to post an avatar!

I wanna know about that steal though. Hehehe XD

[Flicker Sweet 3,391]

I'm so peanut butter and jelly right now........http://mlpforums.com/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.png

anyway! glad to hear about this Feld0! I'll remember this now when I'm harrassing welcoming new members!

[Boxxi The Brony 119]

You see this is why I adore this site, the moderators, LISTEN to what we have to say, and in an EPIC way, try to make it work, thanks Feldo I am sure people will like this

[Flicker Sweet 3,391]

You see this is why I adore this site, the moderators, LISTEN to what we have to say

IKR!!! It's so rare!!! That's why I'm borderline addicted to this site!!!!

[Shankveld 4,950]

As long as we don't have a spam of troll blank flanks uploading avatars of pornography or rule34....

Edited July 31, 2012 by Shankveld

[moneyshredderofdeath 414]

I've got no issues with this change. Certainly it's good for newcomers to have an avatar from the get go seeing as the avatar is often a defining characteristic to a member.

[Shift 4,272]

So that's why i've been seeing Scootaloo's Everywhere...huh! Never knew.Cool change...

 

I strongly think the Blank Flanks will be 100% More Active

[Starshine 16,335]

A major change? Is that all?

(Kinda expecting a fancy new rule where all Blank Flank should make at least 25 posts to make a thread outside welcome plaza and site feedback me_sad)

 

It's a welcome change though, I got terribly confused when some Blank Flank couldn't upload any avatar, and others complaining how to change theirs. Kudos to you, Feld0

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

We recently had a zero-post member "steal" a long-time member's name, then leave the forums never to be seen again.

 

*shuffles hoof in ground* Darn you Jokuc xD

 

I like this, although I can see a new member who didn't read the rules, or a troll using an avvie that's nsfw >.>

I doubt they'll do that, but better be safe than sorry, amiright?

Edited August 1, 2012 by The Great & P Pinxie

[Evilshy 5,090]

You're not fooling any of us, Feld0. You obviously weren't happy with the number of brohoofs you woke up with this morning, and decided to make some small change to the site and post about it so everybody would brohoof it. I see through your deceit. I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the Dark Side as you do.