Profile pictures

Submitted by dmoorevtedu(140)

22 March, 2011 - 14:05

Groups:

Usability and Design

The presence of profile pictures really changes the feel of a community. But, for a variety of reasons, many people do not bother to post one. I have noticed that many people in this community have not done so. What is the best practice for getting people to load a profile image in DC? Can it be made mandatory? Should it? Is there a workflow that would be particularly effectivein encoraging people to do so voluntarily? I am toying with the idea of using Gigya as a single sign on option, especiually if it will help populate some of the profile data (like images). Thoughts?

Comments

GreggMarshall1 year 7 weeks ago

Gigya feedback

Please report back about how Gigya works for you. I heared mixed reports at DrupalCon about it and am curious to hear something more recent.

dmoorevtedu1 year 7 weeks ago

I tried installing and only

I tried installing and only then noticed that there was an issue in the queue for the module that indicated that they charge $15,000 per year for over 1000 log ins per month. I dropped it like a hot potato. What I realy want is facebook and google single sign on. The facebook connect module seems to be struggling as well, but tons of sites have that feature not. I just don't have the capacity to build something--I'm only plug and play with Drupal so far.

jay1 year 7 weeks ago

I agree, and don't have an answer

I think the only way to encourage people is a reward system - not a requirement. I don't know what kind of reward would work.

I do think it would be great if Commons had a "progress bar" (or some other type of nag...) on your personal profile page; or some type of functionality that opens up to you if you upload a photo.

Anybody else have any good ideas on this?

Jehf1 year 7 weeks ago

Nag block

How about just a (prominent, on every page) block reminding the user they haven't yet addded a photo? Can simpe block visibility settings be used to dissapear it once they've got one?

mike.stefanello1 year 7 weeks ago

Sure, you'd just need some

Sure, you'd just need some PHP to determine if the user has a picture or not.

Jehf1 year 7 weeks ago

I'm picturing

I'm picturing a new checkbox at /admin/settings/commons:

[ ] Nag authenticated users until they upload a profile picture

(default unchecked?)

mike.stefanello1 year 7 weeks ago

Well, there's no way in core

Well, there's no way in core to force a user picture, but it could probably be done by writing a real simple custom module (unfortunately). You could also force it on the user registration form in a similar fashion. Maybe there is a contrib module out there that just does this?

randomP1 year 7 weeks ago

You could always try adding a

You could always try adding a selection of default avatars for the user to choose from when they fill in their profile details, so even if they don't upload their own picture they can still have a nice graphic/photo...

mikeaja1 year 7 weeks ago

Luckily I look exactly like

Luckily I look exactly like the default profile pic....

mike.stefanello1 year 7 weeks ago

Hahaha

shuffled1 year 7 weeks ago

Usability for profile pictures?

You've got to be kidding. This is the error message I keep getting:

The selected file koala.png could not be uploaded. Only JPEG, PNG and GIF images are allowed.

In case you're wondering if this is a case of case sensitivity ... it's not. I have also tried Koala.PNG and Koala.JPG.

Acquia, you're dropping the ball here.

mikeaja1 year 7 weeks ago

Might be worth trying

Might be worth trying re-saving in photoshop or something similar, using a 'save for web' option if you've got it, and saving two types - one png and one jpg and try each one. The lower case extension should be fine.

mike.stefanello1 year 7 weeks ago

Well, this part of core

Well, this part of core profile, so it's not directly a Commons issue. Also, I've never once had this issue while trying to upload a user picture; so it's very strange to see that. I agree with the suggestion to try resaving it or try a different picture.

jay1 year 7 weeks ago

Summary of suggestions

(Updated 14:46EDT 25 Mar 2011)

So to bring this home to a conclusion, the sum of the thoughts here is:

Make sure we provide an interface that lets site admins determine which profile fields are required for registration. Make profile photo be selectable as a required field (this portion is not available in core profile, and would need a module, so happens in the future.)
Provide a selection of default avatars (substitutes for a real photo) that a user can select from during setting their profile photo. (Utilize http://drupal.org/project/avatar_selection. Note: There is no Drupal 7 support for this module yet, introducing another blocking factor do a D7 version of Commons). Question: Should this be bundled by default in Commons, though? This feels like we should document it - not include it. I'm a bit worried about functionality bloat, and all that it brings. There's so much that's possible (because it's Drupal) that there's a tendency to pull it all in. But this will have downsides, too - maintenance, performance, etc.

I'd be interested in follow-up comments on #2.

randomP1 year 7 weeks ago

Default avatars

Module for defatult avatar gallery is 'Avatar Selection' - http://drupal.org/project/avatar_selection

jay1 year 7 weeks ago

Thanks

Summary above updated. Seeking comments on 2nd item.

sportzilla1 year 7 weeks ago

Perhaps a third party

Perhaps a third party service. Not exactly sure if that is the way to go, but I came across avatardb.com, site that specializes in avatars and claim "We have even included the code for you for direct linking!"

Pros:

1. Thousands of avatars available / with avatar selection module only certain # would be available (guess)

2. No need to install addditional modules with DC / bloat

3. Save bandwidth / load performance on DC site by having 3rd party serving them

Cons:

1. External service

2. Confusing new user / send them to external website / provide iframe pop-up / cut paste code

3. Probably need to form some of partnership with provider

User meassage on user personal page that Jehf suggested might be an option with link to point to importance of user profile on social networking sites in order to encourage user and provide third party service for them to choose if real picture is not an option.

Either way few interesting articles that point to importance of profile pics. I think it goes along with ability to sign in with existing credentials, OpenID, Fbconnect, other related modules

http://fullvoicemedia.com/blog/?p=671 - importance of profile picture

http://hubpages.com/hub/Profile-Picture-Profile-Pictures-Web-Traffic - pros / cons of real vs other picture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4YDiGxRFeI - linkedin example

dmoorevtedu26 weeks 6 days ago

Nag

I did make a nag block that is only visible to authenticated users and other logged on users. The conditional PHP for the block is pasted below.

Then I used the block section to stick it in the "preface top". You cannot use context, because it overrides the PHP-mode setting.

It would be really cool to add the profile upload file browser thingy into the block. Something similar to the Join and Learn more block., where you can selct the file, upload it and save right there to make the nag go away.

<?php

global $user;
$account = user_load($user->uid);
$picture = $account->picture;
if ($picture=="") {
return TRUE; // block will be shown
}
return FALSE;