Peterson overplays his point.

[_Jesse Pinkman]

We have never before to my knowledge had a case of one poster adopting an avatar already in use by another poster.

Looking at the situation, I'd say:

1. It is actually confusing: I now realize how dependent I am on the avatar to identify the poster. If the avatar is familiar, I don't even look at the name, I now realise. Hence I did not detect the appropriation of the Mr Potato Head picture by 'jabberwocky' until I saw Ceeboo's post that referred to this having being done.

2. Clearly it gives trolls an effective way to disrupt the board (which is the main aim of trolling, after all).

I therefore suggest that we need a new rule to forbid use of an avatar already in use by another registered poster. I suspect the registration software probably already prevents use of a username that is already registered.

Agreed. I'll create a separate thread with reference here to get Shades' attention. That way, this thread topic has a chance to get back on track.

[_Ceeboo]

Hey Chap!

We have never before to my knowledge had a case of one poster adopting an avatar already in use by another poster.

I don't recall this ever happening before either.

Looking at the situation, I'd say:

1. It is actually confusing: I now realize how dependent I am on the avatar to identify the poster. If the avatar is familiar, I don't even look at the name, I now realise.

I agree!

Yes, I was very confused - So much so that I had read a few of jaberwocky's post, on a few different threads, and found them to be very odd because I thought they were from Tator.

I didn't even realize, until much later and after reading a few more posts - that these posts were not authored by Tator - they were authored by jaberwocky. Clearly, this can be quite problematic to a discussion board and it can also be unfair to Tator.

2. Clearly it gives trolls an effective way to disrupt the board (which is the main aim of trolling, after all).

Yes, it does. (I'm actually surprised - now that I have seen the confusion it can cause - that this hasn't happened before)

I therefore suggest that we need a new rule to forbid use of an avatar already in use by another registered poster.

Although I am rarely for "rules" - I absolutely agree with your proposal in this case. The intentional use of an avatar that is already taken is distracting, confusing, and unnecessary.

I realize that I am but one MDB member/voice among many here but I think Chap's suggested rule should be adopted by the MDB Big Wigs - It seems that it would solve the current issues, as well as eliminate any similar potential issues in the future.

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_grindael]

Here's a great Avatar for JabberWacky....