Question: Why are PoFo's avatar rules so strict?

Answer: Prior to 28 June 2006 users were not allowed to use their own avatars at all. Only a limited gallery of 60 × 60 pixel black-and-white images was provided. This gave a good uniform appearance to the forum that did not distract from reading text. The problem with this system was that any new avatars had to be added manually by the web master, and due to time constraints this seldom happened. To resolve this, on 28 June 2006 users were allowed to make their own avatars as long as they were smaller than 100 × 100 pixels in size.

Following users being able to use their own avatars all manner of problems arose which led to the present avatar rules (implemented 4 July 2006). Coloured and animated avatars were banned because they were more distracting than the old avatars (coloured signature images remained because they ended the text, de-marking the end of a users message, not appearing alongside the text). Images were restricted to portraits because all kinds of ridiculous and inappropriate images were being used as avatars. Limiting avatars to portraits was a practical and simple way to defining what was acceptable in a way that was relatively easy for most users to understand.