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Avatars in Forums

This guide demonstrates how to add an avatar to a profile in the new Glow

Forums. An avatar is a computer user's representation of themselves, usually in

the form of a computer graphic, cartoon or photograph.

Finding an Avatar

There are many free websites that allow you to create a cartoon Avatar. Some of

them ask you to sign up – be careful to check the authenticity of the website if it

is asking for you personal details.

Some of the ones you might want to try are listed below:

Block head iconizer

http://www.reasonablyclever.com/blockhead/index.htm Lego based website –

face only

The Mini Mizer

http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/flash/minifig.swf Lego based website –

whole body

My Avatar Editor

http://www.myavatareditor.com/ Based on Nintendo‟s

wii mii

Simpsons Avatar

http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html

Click Create a

Simpsons Avatar

from the home page

There are many more websites available.

Alternatively, you might want to use an image that you have already saved to

your folder.

Most of these websites will create your Avatar but you are not ready to use them

yet – you must save the image as a JPEG and there are rules for how big (or

small) the image should be.

1. Choose a website to create your Avatar and follow the onscreen

instructions to create your Avatar before reading on.

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Avatars in Forums

Saving an Avatar

You should now see your Avatar on the screen.

I have chosen My Avatar Editor and I followed the instructions on screen to

produce the following Avatar:

You now need to „capture‟ your picture and resize it:

2. Press the print screen button on the keyboard to capture the

screen

3. Open Paint (found in programs | Accessories)

4. Select Edit | Paste from the menu

5. Choose the select tool

6. Drag the curser over your Avatar

7. Select Edit | Copy from the menu

8. Select File | Open from the menu to open a new document

9. Select File | Paste from the menu

10. Select File | Save as and save your Avatar to your folder

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Avatars in Forums

11. Open your folder so that you can see your new file

12. Right click on the new Avatar file and select Open with… Microsoft Office

Picture Manager

13. Select from the toolbar

14. You now need to resize your picture

15. Click Resize and then Custom width x height – the

sizes will depend on how square your original

picture is – it is important to make sure that the

biggest number is no bigger than 90 (the other

number might be smaller than 90 – it will change by

itself

16. Select File | Save to save your file

You are now ready to upload your Avatar to the Glow Forum!

Uploading an Avatar

17. Log in to the Glow

18. Go to the S1 ICT Glow group

19. Go to your class page

20. A forum has been created for you in your Glow group – click

to access it

21. A new window will open – the first time you will see a message saying

“shibboleth authentication” – don‟t worry – it‟s normal!

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Avatars in Forums

22. Select

23. In options, select Profile

24. Select Edit Avatar

25. Click Browse and find your Avatar in your own folder

26. Click Submit

You should get the message “Your profile has been updated”

27. Click Return to the User Control Panel

28. Click on the logo to take you back to your forums; we will

reply to a discussion together