Avatars

[smurfchops]

Are there less avatars on here or am I imagining it ?

[Buenchico]

You're imagining it!

Anyway 'less' should only be used with continuous variables. 'Fewer' is used with discrete variables, such as avatars. (I thought I might as well get that in before MarkRae points it out!)

[Barmaid]

^^^ what he said. Although I often imagine double the amount of avatars.

[bibblebub]

less or fewer than what or when?

[tiggerblue10]

I hadn't noticed Smurf. Although you have now drawn my attention to it.

[NazNomad]

Can people with no avatar post in here? :-))

[Innovation]

I always treat no avatars with suspicion. It's like going to work with a bag over your head.

What are they trying to hide?

[starone]

Could you explain that in words of one syllable chico, or maybe two might do it.

[factor-fiction]

Hi starbuckone- buenchico is right but I feel he and I are swimming against the tide about the incorrect use of less than/fewer than.
Examples:(a) "baskets with 5 items or less" is incorrect but "five items or fewer" although correct, sounds unwieldy; (b) he was less than 1.8 metres tall is correct.
The English language is changing of course and what was considered to be incorrect 20 years ago may be accepted usage in 20 years from now.

[starone]

Thanks factor,now I understand. Easy really, when explained.

[Daily-Editor]

Innovation - just a query. Do you really think people have something to hide merely because they choose not to display an avatar?

[Buenchico]

Starbuckone:
Where 'discrete' quantities are involved (e.g things which can only be counted as 1, 2, 3, etc) the correct word is 'fewer'.

Where 'continuous' quantities are involved (where, for instance you could have 2.368 of them or the square root of 43 of them) the correct word is 'less'.

You can't, for example, have 2.368 people. You can only have whole numbers of them. So we refer to 'fewer people', not 'less people' and, as Factor 30 states, 'fewer items', not 'less items'.

However the quantity wine in your glass is not measured solely in whole units. So you have 'less wine', not 'fewer wine'.

[Count-A-Strong]

Yes Innovation I have to agree with Daily Editor. Your avatar doesn't e actlymtell us what you look like.

[Lou_Lou26]

I want an avatar and registered with Gravatar but its not working! posted a question about it earlier but got no answers.... if anyone can help I'd appreciate it!.....

[starone]

Thanks Buenchico, very carefully explained. I liked the bit about the 2.368 people - that was a good example. So now I understand - although I don't know if I shall remember it next time I am about to use it.

[Buenchico]

Lou_Lou26:
If your avatar is shown on the Gravatar site there are only two reasons why it's not showing up here:

1. You need to make sure that the email address you've used to sign up to Gravatar is the same as the one you used when signed up to AB.

2. You need to activate your avatar on this site. (Click on 'My Profile' and click on the relevant button)

[starone]

Lou-lou, I have tried too, but gave up. They said, I think, that if you didn't have a particular one to publish they would find one for you, but I am still waiting. Well, actually, I haven't bothered since. The jelly babies are quite nice.

[Lou_Lou26]

Thanks Buenchico but the issue i'm having is actually getting an avatar onto gravatar. When i add an image i can't crop it so there isnt a way to confirm it at all.... its all very strange. Maybe due to my internet protocols on my work network??

[starone]

Well,no wonder I haven't got one, because I didn't understand a word of that. I think I am just a computer illiterate.

[Lou_Lou26]

do a search for gravatar and the instructions are there. if its working its pretty easy..... if its working that is!!

anything to get rid of the jellie babies! lol

[starone]

I've done everything they said lou_lou, it just hasn't worked for me.