What is a Computer Avatar?
A computer avatar is a personalized graphic file or rendering that represents a computer user. There are basically two types of avatars: those used at websites, such as on Web exchange boards, and those used in gaming and virtual worlds. The simplest type of avatar is a small graphics file used on websites. Websites that offer chat boards often allow members to upload an avatar to represent themselves. The avatar can be a real-life digital photo of the person using it, but is more often an image intended to be a creative alter ego. This might be a game-rendered snapshot of a beast, hero, or heroine; a humorous picture of a pet or cartoonish character; or a design that makes a statement. The avatar appears alongside the user’s posts, easily identifying the author for others at a glance. Sometimes, a website will offer a generic pool of avatars for those who have not yet created their own avatar. Commonly, the user replaces the generic avatar as soon as he or she learns how to create a p
