avatars and public computers - a mismatch?

[DaSwede]

Can't for the life of me get this avatar thing to work and I'm wondering to which degree it could possibly have anything to do with the fact that I visit the AnswerBank using public computers at libraries and internet cafes.

At some computers I get a message saying "Microsoft Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close". At those computers I can't even view anybody else's avatar or access My Profile from the beta version.

At other computers I am able to get into My Profile and initiate the avatar process but once I submit I get an error message concerning... erm, I've forgotten the term, but, you know - the string... thing.

I know how to upload and download and change the format et cetera et cetera.I've changed the format to gif in Paint, I've tried using TinyPic as an intermediary and I've limited my kilobytes and I've answered all the questions in My Profile before submitting...

...so it isn't me, I don't think. My question is: Do you suppose my problems are related to the limitations of public computers (security settings)...??

Thanks in advance, I'll read your replies tomorrow or on Monday.

[DottyH]

ah well now then that is the odd thing, I can get my avatar (left) to work on my dot.hawkes id and this id and indeed my DotH id, however, it will not work on my banned-dot id, and as far as i can ascertain, there is absolutely no difference in any of those ids, but, it is the case,therefore, i am thinking, it's the way you hold your mouth, as they say in scouseland.

[jno]

Kit, I've been using Firefox for a while now on AB and I used it when I first added an avatar (that was a couple of months ago when messaging was introduced on Sports AB). Do any of your library/internet cafe computers have this installed? It's a free and pretty straightforward alternative to Internet Explorer.

That said, other people seem to be having the same trouble as you so it may well just be there are still bugs in the new system to be ironed out. I'm not sure why security levels should get in your way, but then I don't know much about the technology, so you could very well be right. Anyway, best of Swedish luck to you!

[DaSwede]

OMG Dotty I think you're right - it is the way I hold my mouth...! (Thanks, I certainly learned a great expression!)

Thanks jno, that info should be very useful, if ever I do find somebody who uses Firefox - so far I've only seen it mentioned on here, never IRL. I'll ask around, though.

[Cetti]

Hi DaSwede!

You might have seen my posts on exactly the same problem and so far - nothing works.

I've tried every permutation, but like you all I'm getting is the 'stringy' error message. Firefox doesn't help either, nor does using different avatars in different formats.

Not asking much are we - just a tiny picture, that's all!

[jno]

PS Kit, I have recently been let out of the dungeon (yet again) to find my avatar has vanished. I keep trying to upload it again but nothing happens. I have an email from the AB techie people to say they are having issues and to keep checking AB for new advancements (old advancements would be good enough for me...)

[DaSwede]

Hi Cetti, well it's kinda nice - in a twisted sort of way - to know I'm not alone.