That is true. But, it depends on your avatar's dimensions too. For example, LF's avatar is 48x48 and there is a loss of quality with the new board's dimension of 80 X 80. However, for guys like GC (his avatar is something like 98 x 97 I think), the quality has improved. So, one has to tailor his/her avatar to this new dimension of 80 x 80 to get clearer images. But, interestingly, the existing set of images (like CF's) are still in 48 x 48 and those need to be modified too.

Okay, it was time to redesign my avatar anyway. Just out of curiosity, why does HK's new avatar at a size of 48x49 not appear stretched? And btw, isn't it possible anymore to add a photo to the profile?

The distortion probably isn't enough to be noticable. Squeezeing a 49x48 picture to 48x48 doesn't result in nearly the amount of distortion you'd get if you squeezed a 64x48 picture to 48x48.

I thought it's 80x80 now? The other avatars do seem to be stretched to that size, only HK's doesn't.

Well. HK uses what is known as "stock avatar" (the limited number of avatars that Chessninja lets you choose yours from). I have divorced Anna Ushenina for a baseball now and it goes back to 48x48 dimension now.

But, since you want to retain your "fish" identity visually, you don't have very many options but create a new image yourself. You have become really little now.

The stock avatars appear to be smaller than 80x80. I imagine you can have any avatar 80x80 or smaller.

Incidentally, is the Shout Box not working?

So, how do I modify my avatar to make it look right here on this new Message Board?


Chess Fan

Indeed, at this present time, it appears that the Shout Box is NOT working!


Chess Fan

I still don't get it. Why are the new stock avatars displayed at their original size of 48x48, while other avatars are stretched to 80x80?

I don't know, but if you want to do something about it, one could just save one of the stock avatars in Windows Paint, expand it to 80x80, and upload it as a "new" avatar (though it might get a bit blurry that way).


Another thing, the (mega-cool) Shout Box is still down, and was down all day yesterday too. It was working Friday.