One of the core advantages of web-sites where users can place their posts and comments is the opportunity to create a community. And like in a real-world on-line communities are strong through the comunication of their members. In smaller (compared to slashdot) communities active members are quickly become recognisable, which is one of the most important features of a community. And avatars are a powerful tool to make members recognisable and to create a certain atmosphere in the community.

Being an averall extremely powerful engine DRUPAL lacks avatars, which I believe is the main reasons that users set up separate message boards instead of using the part of Drupal for this purpose. I think avatars (placed both on the message board and in the comments to news) would facilitate developing lively communities on the basis of Drupal.

Comments

moshe weitzman’s picture

in the 4.1 release candidate you will find profile.module which allows for avatars.

rector’s picture

Thanks