An avatar is a picture that is a visual representation of you or your screen name. Think of it as a screen name logo. Mine is an outhouse (seems like a very bad example) and I haven't really thought about it but I think I can do better. Enough about me, lets talk about you ...

To set a custom avatar you are going to need a picture. Keep in mind that the website only allows smaller pictures to be uploaded as your avatar. Don't worry too much about the size because the website will change the size if it is too big. I find pictures using Google Image Search. Go to Google Image Search and type in Shark or Cobra or whatever you are looking for (keep it clean for TN). Mouse over the picture you like and click your RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON and click "Save Picture As ..." (fig.1) and click "My Documents" on left column and click "Save" (fig.2). You have now saved a picture you found on Google to your computer.

To set your custom avatar in TeamsterNet go to My Controls > Personal Profile > Edit Avatar Settings. Then go down to "Your image avatar" and click the Browse button in "Upload a new image from your computer".

Click My Documents on the left column and then click the file of the image you saved, then click Open.

Once that is done just click the Update Avatar box and you're done!

If you have any problems please post a reply to this forum.

I get an error message when trying to edit my signature and change my avatar??????

What is the error message?

Try this. In your Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer, but Windows Explorer) right-click on the file you're trying to upload as your avatar, then see if "read-only" is checked. If it is uncheck it then try again. If that doesn't work post back here with the error you're receiving.

Jim,

I believe the problem is that now, with the points system, nobody, including me, can change their avatar unless the person has enough points. If you try to make a change without points, you get the dreaded "error" message.

Edited to add: People also cannot change their signature without points.

Larry,

Thanks for the clarification. I'll talk with Phil and see if this was the intent of the system or if this was unintended.

any more info on the avatar problem?