View Full Version : Profile Flags
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 08:15
I was thinking that maybe we can have little flag icons representing our countries on by our location bit when you see a post? I think it would be nice, specially so I don't start talking with someone about the best prices for Macs in Cambridge, when in fact that are at Harvard.
Just make sure there isn't a french one.
edit:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1566/screenshot01copyqn3.jpg
Windswept
2006-09-12, 08:53
I think having flags as an *option* for users might be fun.
But I don't think they should be mandatory.
Maybe it's something we could have a vote about, just to see how people feel about it in general.
Then maybe we could have a trial period to see how it goes.
However, the admins might frown on the idea for some reason, based on their past experiences elsewhere.
I remember having flags on one board. The flag indicated in some cases what country the person was currently residing in, *not* necessarily what their nationality was - though that distinction was purely a choice made by user him/herself. I thought it was fun to see where everyone was from, and how international our messageboard truly was. :)
Plus, here at AN, the colorful flags would perk up our unrelieved *grey* tones considerably. :D
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 09:00
Yes a bit of a colouring up would be good. I know in other forums people put like an Antarctica flag or something, just randomly. And I think there must be a vB plugin to have a drop down box of loads of flags in the options menu. In fact since the forum I was on was all English it was all the counties as well, perhaps you could have states or what not.
Anywho,could you put up a poll? Thanks!
Purgatory doesn't have a flag. :(
dmegatool
2006-09-12, 09:07
That would be cool.
...I'm preparing my flag.
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 09:08
Purgatory doesn't have a flag. :(
Oh really?:
http://www.unisdr.org/eng/country-inform/flags/france-flag.jpg
Current location or country of origin?
I guess a tiny issue would be that my previous job required my location to be "International waters"
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 09:19
Current location or country of origin?
I guess a tiny issue would be that my previous job required my location to be "International waters"
Some kind of pirate flag presumably then?
Lurch104
2006-09-12, 09:19
I like the idea. On another forum I frequent (boardgamegeek), the home country of the user is represented by a flag. I find that this cuts down on the grammer police. People are much less likely to bust someone's chops over poor grammer when they realize that they are not a native English speaker.
I'll only approve if D'ni is an option.
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 09:30
I'll only approve if D'ni is an option. :no: Real countries/colonies only thanks. :p
Lurch ... baby ... where you from? :)
cough *grammar* cough ;)
:no: Real countries/colonies only thanks. :p
What? D'ni isn't real?! :eek:
(Fine fine. ;) :) )
I like the idea for country of origin so we don't jump all over some poor soul for his poor grammar, only to find out that English is his 11th language.
But ah, can I have Antarctica's flag? :p
Hey, it's a real continent!
Windswept
2006-09-12, 09:43
Again, I think the users should be 100% in control of what flag they choose to display, and of whether they want to display country of their origin or country of residence. They should also be able to choose the 'no flag' option as well.
The flag would also have to be easily changeable by the user, because people these days tend to relocate from time to time.
Windswept
2006-09-12, 09:45
Oh really?:
http://www.unisdr.org/eng/country-inform/flags/france-flag.jpg
You naughty boy. ;)
Windswept
2006-09-12, 09:55
Okay, I put the poll up, but that doesn't mean the admins will go along with the idea, OR that our software even has such an option available.
The poll is just to sample interest in Farenheit's idea.
No names will show up in the poll.
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 10:00
I know it does exist as it was on another Vb forum that I was on. I think its kind of outlined on this thread:
http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=89247
Windy, but the poll doesn't have a beer option. No poll is complete without it.
I know it does exist as it was on another Vb forum that I was on. I think its kind of outlined on this thread:
http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=89247
Sure, but that's a third-party modification. Brad would have to re-add that with every upgrade, not to mention such modifications can have unverified security implications. In that case, it may be preferable for Brad to roll out his own code.
Okay, I put the poll up, but that doesn't mean the admins will go along with the idea, OR that our software even has such an option available.
The poll is just to sample interest in Farenheit's idea.
No names will show up in the poll.
I think a "I wouldn't personally use it, but wouldn't mind having the option for others" option, as opposed to "Please don't do this; it'd be distracting", would be good.
(Or, there could be something in the User CP for members to hide it in the view.)
Banana - re: Windy ... you're totally destroying any seductive image I may or may not have of Carol.
Tell this to G. He's one who called her Windy, not me. :p
InactionMan
2006-09-12, 10:23
Flags are the new avatars!
I vote yes.
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 10:23
Don't say the A word, that'll throw the admins right off!
billybobsky
2006-09-12, 10:28
I hate the idea simply because it doesn't actually do anything for people reading other's post. Poor grammar is a pathetic excuse for having something that I personally feel will get rid of the homeyness of this place.
Windswept
2006-09-12, 10:31
Whoa!
I'm SO thinking of deleting those icky posts. :grumble:
And thanks a bunch, Mac+. :grumble:
You can delete them if you need to. For the record, I don't think of you that way - just that I don't think Windy is a fitting abbreviation.
And if you want, I'm more than happy to call you Windswept.
Just remember, it was G that started it!
Windswept
2006-09-12, 10:41
I don't think the admins would want flags, because they like the clean lines of our messageboard just the way it is.
Just thought I would mention that - before people get too carried away by the idea of flags.
I personally like a little splash of color, which is one of the reasons I like to use smilies. :D
They'll probably kill me for posting that poll. :|
*hides under a rock*
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 10:43
And back on topic :p
I got a friend on a forum that has the feature, and he took a screenshot, this is in the options menu
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8053/flagrk1.jpg
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 10:44
I don't think the admins would want flags, because they like the clean lines of our messageboard just the way it is.
Just thought I would mention that - before people get too carried away by the idea of flags.
I personally like a little splash of color, which is one of the reasons I like to use smilies. :D
They'll probably kill me for posting that poll. :|
*hides under a rock*
The fact remains that they are about as unobtrusive as the MSN/AIM/iChat icons, they could be that small if wanted.
Windswept
2006-09-12, 10:45
And if you want, I'm more than happy to call you Windswept.
Yes, please.
Flags are the new avatars!
I vote yes.
That's why I was the first to vote, and that vote was NO!
If I would have known the beer choice was coming I'd have wait.
no to Flagatars!
Windswept
2006-09-12, 10:48
The fact remains that they are about as unobtrusive as the MSN/AIM/iChat icons, they could be that small if wanted.
:)
You can be pretty persuasive.
I wonder if that's a Virgo trait? ;)
But see, if you put flags by the name in the post, I'm going to read it and say "Oh you French moron!" or Canadian moron or Antarctican moron, what have you. I don't want nationality entering into it, I want to call (and be called, of course) someone a moron with out bringing nationalities into it.
[Jesse Jackson]Let us Integrate, not separate! Ingratiate not denigrate! [/Jesse Jackson]
Windswept
2006-09-12, 11:02
But see, if you put flags by the name in the post, I'm going to read it and say "Oh you French moron!" or Canadian moron or Antarctican moron, what have you. I don't want nationality entering into it, I want to call (and be called, of course) someone a moron with out bringing nationalities into it.
[Jesse Jackson]Let us Integrate, not separate! Ingratiate not denigrate! [/Jesse Jackson]
Well, actually, you'd probably be able to disable the flags from showing up when you viewed the forum, SKMDC.
Having the ability to disable stuff is usually a feature given to users to set up according to their individual preference.
alcimedes
2006-09-12, 11:04
I always read the name as Winds wept, as in perpetually sad. :lol:
Hey, I was going to write something along the lines of what SKMDC wrote.
It's nice to see a reasonably broad spectrum of nationals here, and there's no mudslinging except for some lighthearted, obvious joking (and that's inevitable with mulleted Canadians around). :p
I suggest we leave well enough alone.
Well, actually, you'd probably be able to disable the flags from showing up when you viewed the forum, SKMDC.
Having the ability to disable stuff is usually a feature given to users to set up according to their individual preference.
Then why not allow avatars?
I was only somewhat kidding before, I like the fact that I judge a poster by his or her posts.
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 11:16
I thought avatars were also not here because of the server load, as well as looking crap... i dont think little flags would really do much to the server load.
Oh really?:
http://www.unisdr.org/eng/country-inform/flags/france-flag.jpg
I was thinking that maybe we can have little flag icons representing our countries on by our location bit when you see a post? I think it would be nice, specially so I don't start talking with someone about the best prices for Macs in Cambridge, when in fact that are at Harvard.
Just make sure there isn't a french one.
edit:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1566/screenshot01copyqn3.jpg
Good idea and GREAT POST!
Windswept
2006-09-12, 11:27
I thought avatars were also not here because of the server load, as well as looking crap... i dont think little flags would really do much to the server load.
Yeah, the admins are gonna kill me. eek! :eek:
What's with all the anti-French postings? Was there some sort of sport they won recently or something? :confused:
*munches on baguette and Camembert*
I just thought it was funny how insistent he was on getting that out there! It made me laugh!
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 11:38
No, I just don't find the french government particularly appealing. The french people are nice enough, but they are such a great place to lampoon. I don't have a personal thing against them really. :p
Yeah like when you want to know which track your train is on, and the train guy acts like he doesn't understand English or me all the while giving me the "Americans....you are such peegs" look.
I'm like "okay okay vee are peegs, which track, which track?"
DMBand0026
2006-09-12, 11:45
I selected the wrong thing, I meant no, but I accidentally clicked yes. I don't know if it's possible for someone to change that for me.
the reason I don't think it's a good idea is because it's almost the same as avatars. It messes with the simple look of the page and adds a ton of bandwidth that needs to be loaded. It just doesn't seem like something we should do. We're all a community here, no sense in finding something to further divide us.
Oh sure, let's let the Americans decide this for us all. You do for everything else in the world! :mad:
:p
Fahrenheit
2006-09-12, 11:55
I would rather it didn't happen if there are some people that really hated the idea, rather than many who would like it. I think it would be a really great ID thing, and I highly doubt it would create any segregation. I think we need Brad to come on the scene and tear me to shreds (both literally and metaphorically)
Abortions for some, little American flags for others! And, uh, little Un-American flags for those damn pinko commies!
Sometimes in the words of Jimi Hendrix, I would like to let my Freak Flag Fly. But I don't know what it looks like.
Wait I did an image search.
http://www.gratefulweb.net/images/gweb-homepage-spydye.jpg
*voting*
Yeah, beer.
Beer is good.
turbulentfurball
2006-09-12, 15:14
I wouldn't mind it, so long as I can choose a St. Andrew's cross (Scottish flag) rather than the union flag (British flag).
:D
RowdyScot
2006-09-12, 23:58
This would be my issue...I'm from the USA, but if given a choice, I *will* put a Scottish flag, either St. Andrew's cross or the Rampant Lion. Nothing against the USA at all, but I'm extremely in touch with my heritage, and I will celebrate it in such a fashion if given the opportunity.
I selected the wrong thing, I meant no, but I accidentally clicked yes. I don't know if it's possible for someone to change that for me.
Just for you, DMB - I added a "Pat Buchanan" option and counted your vote in that column.
Just try not to let your chad hang too low.
DMBand0026
2006-09-13, 00:46
You're a wonderful human being.
And I'd thank you to stop looking at my chad. :D
Windswept
2006-09-13, 03:07
You're a wonderful human being.
And I'd thank you to stop looking at my chad. :D
:D
;)
Firepoles have that effect on chads, do they?
:lol:
She went there. :eek:
(Nice one, Windswept. :lol: )
Firepoles have effects on lots of things. ;)
We already have a Location field. A flag would be redundant.
If you want to publicize your country of origin, put it in your Location field.
I'm just going to be a little honest here and then everyone can dog pile my ignorance. I'm not sure outside of the world leading countries, that having a flag showing would even tell me where someone is from. No offense scratt, but I don't really know what the Thailand flag looks like (although I do now since I just googled it).
I do a lot better checking out the location fields, or, and I'm just putting this out there, get to know your forum members? Most folks seem to give at least a vague idea where they are from if you read their posts for a while (DMB is from Chicago, scratt is from Thailand, Carol is from heaven, etc.).
;)
Fahrenheit
2006-09-13, 10:27
I'm just going to be a little honest here and then everyone can dog pile my ignorance. I'm not sure outside of the world leading countries, that having a flag showing would even tell me where someone is from. No offense scratt, but I don't really know what the Thailand flag looks like (although I do now since I just googled it).
I do a lot better checking out the location fields, or, and I'm just putting this out there, get to know your forum members? Most folks seem to give at least a vague idea where they are from if you read their posts for a while (DMB is from Chicago, scratt is from Thailand, Carol is from heaven, etc.).
;)
Don't blame us more educationalised people for your lack of Geography skills. ;)
Windswept
2006-09-13, 12:28
:D :D :D
Ahhhhh...sunrain, m'darlin', you have my undying love. :) ;)
LudwigVan
2006-09-13, 16:37
I'm just going to be a little honest here and then everyone can dog pile my ignorance. I'm not sure outside of the world leading countries, that having a flag showing would even tell me where someone is from. No offense scratt, but I don't really know what the Thailand flag looks like (although I do now since I just googled it).
Add an ALT tag to the image so that when a user hovers their mouse cursor over the flag, the country of origin appears.
Add an ALT tag to the image so that when a user hovers their mouse cursor over the flag, the country of origin appears.
You mean title.
blakbyrd
2006-09-13, 22:07
I vote yes.Ditto. :cancer:
I vote yes.
What is it with Canadians and flags? They're almost more annoying than Americans and their flag fetish. :p
Damn, if I see one more Canadian flag on a back pack over here ... I understand they prefer not to be mistaken for Americans, but there must be a better way (like wearing a flannel shirt in the summer). ;)
I think having flags would add some nice colour to the page layout.
In other words I voted yes because I think it would be pretty.
I guess it would be redundant but I think it'd look nice. Especially i we used these flags:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/Meli388/Flags.png
But what if I put up a Swiss flag, how will you know whether I'm in the German or French-speaking part, nevermind the Italian part, which doesn't have its own identical button. :p
;)
Meli - I *think* there's a more complete collection in Library/Application Support/Apple/iChat Icons.
Not 100% sure though - it could have been me tinkering with the location of these things ... but do a Spotlight search for them anyway, if you are running Tiger.
Fahrenheit
2006-09-14, 11:21
I guess it would be redundant but I think it'd look nice. Especially i we used these flags:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/Meli388/Flags.png
nice idea. I think those flags would be effective, yet subtle.
To Brad: Yes, we have location fields, but they are more specific. For example, you could have Location: Scranton, and then Flag: USA. :\
MAC+: Just type "flags" in spotlight. The folder is called Flags.
Oh yeah, there is the Flags folder within the iChat Icons folder. I obviously left that out. Oops. :o
Windswept
2006-09-14, 11:44
Sorry, I just don't like those circular, button-shaped flags.
It makes the South Korean flag look like a ship's life preserver, and the Japanese flag like a beady, extremely blood-shot eye.
The American flag looks distorted, as I imagine others do.
Just my opinion however. I guess I prefer flag-shaped flags.
thegeriatric
2006-09-14, 16:06
Carol is from heaven, etc.).
;)
CAROL, CAROL, CAROL. Nope can't see her anywhere. Maybe she just popped out, She is always at that new Shoe shop, or the Handbag shop over the road.:lol: ;)
Fahrenheit
2008-04-17, 17:53
FYI, I would still like this idea implemented! :D
Maybe with the new server it wouldn't be as much a worry as to usage?
Maybe with the new server it wouldn't be as much a worry as to usage?
There's not a problem for server resources as much as for maintaining (or writing) the modification for vBulletin, as chucker said many moons ago. We're already on a modified vBulletin setup and I'm already overdue for working on a new version (of just the core vBulletin, not even considering a new theme).
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