topic Re: Login and profile image updates in Forums feedback and updates

Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 04:02:40 GMT

Hello everybody

Some of you may remember our big update in July 2022 with a brand new look and feel for our Forums, and we thank everyone for the feedback and support while we’ve improved on this new experience.

Coming up soon we’ll make our next big change, and this time our login, registration, profile picture upload and account management features are getting a refresh.

What does this mean?

The software that runs the login and registration experience will be swapped out for a new, secure platform to handle your anonymous identity while you use the Forums. We’re really excited for this opportunity to improve the experience of using the Forums while also increasing the security of your information.

It also will finally resolve an issue many of you have raised with us - that you haven’t been able to update your profile pictures / avatars. As part of the change we’ll be moving that feature into the Forums itself - and in the not so distant future you’ll be managing it in the same place you manage your notifications (https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/user/myprofilepage/tab/personal-profile).

From this point on, we’ll be using this space in the forums to provide updates on the work that’s in play, to get your feedback and comments and really bring you along this journey.

When can we expect these changes?

At this stage we’re aiming to make this improvement at the end of March 2024 - and if there’s any changes to that timing we’ll be sure to let you know.

We would love to hear your thoughts, feedback and questions! While we can’t respond super quickly to all questions, the aim is to send answers to any questions we’ve received.

Thanks for your support.

Re: Login and profile image updates

tranzcrybe — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:29:38 GMT

"... a new, secure platform to handle your anonymous identity while you use the Forums"

So would that imply the previous (ie current) login/registration platform was not secure or, by association, anonymous?

'twill be nice to have a new pic though... How about also including a variety of pictures/avatars for those who might prefer a simpler process to 'individualise' themselves?

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 22:16:00 GMT

Great point to clarify, but in this case no - our current platform is secure and anonymous it just can't do much more than that. The main reason we included that sentence is to make it clear the change won't reduce security or anonymity.

Love the idea of a selection of avatars users can chose from rather than picking themselves - it's something we've discussed at length as one of the improvements we want to make. One insight from the moderation team is that people frequently upload full face photos of themselves - which makes sense if you've made a brand new account and don't realise the implications of breaching their own anonymity. We think a selection of pre loaded avatars would help those people too!

Re: Login and profile image updates

mmMekitty — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 06:08:05 GMT

Hello Project Team & everyone

thank you for advising us of forthcoming changes. I look forward to checking them out.

I very much appreciated the email from BB, as I have not been on BB very much of late, so I'd missed seeing this thread. Having the email encouraged me to come looking for this thread, to find out more. Thank you.

I like the idea of having a variety of 'generic' avatar pics for those who would prefer to simply select one of those to use instead of uploading an image. May I suggest a 'generic' 'Gone fishing' for anyone to use when they are taking a break? I've wanted to make one of my own, but it's very difficult for me to do now.

Hello tranzcrybe. Hope you've been keeping well.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 23:17:21 GMT

Hey mmMekitty!

We're glad you got our email, and a 'gone fishing' avatar is a great idea. We'll be starting off with some simple illustrations to get started and growing our generic offerings from there.

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 23:49:54 GMT

Hello everybody!

Excitingly today is the day we'll be updating our login experience. You'll see a message later today advising you when you can no longer log in, or post, and in the mean time we'll be putting updates in this thread on what to expect!

Any questions or concerns you can either reply here, or email modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:15:28 GMT

Avatars, Profile Pictures

Avatars an integral part of a Forums experience - alongside choosing a display name they're how you can easily present yourself to your fellow community members.

As part of this update we're making two key changes:

We're moving Avatars 'into' the Forums, you'll be able to upload new pictures in the same place you update your notification preferences (https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/user/myprofilepage/tab/user-subscriptions%3Anotification-settings). This should make it a lot easier to upload new Avatars, and re-use previous Avatars!
We'll enable a set of pre-approved Avatars! Instead of uploading your own, you can choose from groups of images such as animals, tech, toys, and architecture!

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:20:55 GMT

Q: If you're moving Avatars, will I lose mine?

A: We've found over 10 thousand images going back to 2013 - including a large number of users who haven't logged in for many many years. Instead of bringing them all across instead we're focussing on the 2,500 users who have logged in over the past 2 years.

That being said - all images will be kept on file and can be uploaded by the moderators at your request. Just email modsupport@beyondblue.org.au if you have any questions.

Re: Login and profile image updates

mmMekitty — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:04:02 GMT

Hello Project Team,

I have had a look at some of those 'generic' avatar pics & while I can't see them well, I am plesed to see a wider variety than I was expecting. Of those I have looked at, the pictures are not high contrast, & the size of them makes them difficult for me to see. If, when I encounter someone who is using one, it would be marvelous if there is an 'Alt Text' description so I could know which avatar someone has used?

Thanks again,

Hoppy Long Weekend, with hugzies,

mmMekitty

Re: Login and profile image updates

blondguy — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 16:45:05 GMT

Hey Project team

It would be helpful for new members to be able to select from some generic profile pics. Great Idea!

Just seeing when I can reload my 'Courage' profile pic which Ive had for approx 16,000 posts of support I have provided since January 2016.

Happy Easter and thankyou!

Paul

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 03:34:14 GMT

Hi mmMekitty,

Thank you for your feedback.

Alt text for avatars in the avatar collections is a great idea. We've noted it down!

Would it also improve your experience if we allowed forums members to add their own alt text for avatars they uploaded themselves?

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 04:01:40 GMT

Hi blondguy,

We're very pleased to be able to say that updating avatars is now possible again.

You can upload a new avatar by clicking here. To get to this page in the future, you can either:

click the "Edit profile image" button on your Profile page.
click on your avatar in the top navigation bar, and click "Settings" in the dropdown menu that appears.

Re: Login and profile image updates

Ggrand — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 06:04:34 GMT

Dear ProjectTeam,

Thank you so very much for updating our choice to change our Avatars if we feel to do so….

Your hard work is so very much appreciated…🤗❤️🌹..

Kind thoughts,

Grandy..

Re: Login and profile image updates

mmMekitty — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:04:37 GMT

Hello Project Team.

Good to see your avatar is back.

I would enjoy alt text that members have added themselves, if they would like to do that.

I also noticed when browsing the generic avatar options that the pics shown were square, so it would seem when used they will all be cropped to fit the circular format, which, I think, would be unfortunate.

I must admit creating a square avatar pic to upload would also be easier than it is to make a pic that fits a circle shape.

I also didn't understand how to use your cropping tools. I gave up, accepting that my original pic fit about as good as it ever would within the circle shape. Making a new pic from scratch will be harder.

I'm sorry, I've come up with more for you to consider. I would simply like to enjoy as much as I can, while I am able.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

Re: Login and profile image updates

blondguy — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:36:10 GMT

Hello ProjectTeam and thankyou so much for the quick response!

Im looking forward to using my original avatar without it being the size of a one cent piece as they are now... (even though that wasnt your decision of course as you didnt design the new forum platform)

Thankyou so much for your proactive support Project Gurus!

my kindest always

Paul

Great work

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 02:11:16 GMT

Hi blondguy,

We understand your "Courage" avatar is important to you. Unfortunately there are some limitations in what we are able to offer as we continue to improve the way the forums work.

The ability for members to update their avatars is back, but at this stage, avatars will continue to display at the same size, and as circles. This means the corners of uploaded avatar images will be cut off.

We have just tested this with your original "Courage" avatar. The "Courage" text doesn't get cut off. In discussions/threads where the size of avatars are smaller it is too small to read. But it is readable on your Profile page where the avatar is displayed at a large size.

Thank you again for your commitment to the forums and for your passion for this space.

Re: Login and profile image updates

ProjectTeam — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 04:53:48 GMT

Hi mmMekitty,

We can confirm that all avatars are still displayed as circles. This includes any avatar chosen from the avatar collections, or any avatar images uploaded by members.

Thank you for telling us you'd find the square shape easier. We can also understand how the square previews of the pre-approved avatars make it unclear these will be displayed as circles.

We're sorry to hear you had trouble with the cropping tool. We can assist further via email if you'd like?

Re: Login and profile image updates

blondguy — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 12:33:00 GMT

Hey Hey Project Team

Thankyou heaps for doing everything possible. I was always so proud of my profile picture as it represented the ' Courage to post/reach out etc'.. not just the endangered Bald Headed Eagle.!!

My core motivation has always been to provide the best possible support/counsel to others on this excellent National mental health initiative as per my lived experience with my own mental health.

My 'Courage' avatar has always been a post by post motivator for me.

Paul

Re: Login and profile image updates

tranzcrybe — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:57:34 GMT

Hi Paul, aka blondguy,

I remember how your logo always seemed to reflect resilience and strength to overcome.

It's still there as far as I can see (stars, stripes, ... bird!), but it is your compassion for absolutely everyone where the motivation truly resides - how could any picture (big or small) surpass that?

Maybe the designers could come up with a 'watermark' shaded background of the avatar, or a 'heading' banner across the top to create more presence without affecting overall layout?

Until then, you might want to scale your browser (Ctrl +) to whatever suits your preference.

I think the message is no less concisely presented regardless.

Re: Login and profile image updates

blondguy — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 10:08:46 GMT

Thanks Tranzcrybe!

I really appreciate your positive support....You remember my original logo too! 😀

your care factor is GOLD..

my kindest always

Paul