Comments for Informal Survey: what do I look like?

Informal Survey: what do I look like?

2004-01-06T01:12:36Z

I'm currently updating my 'About Me' page, so that it reflects my 2004 goals and themes that I'll be exploring this year. I've got the draft sitting on my brand new Palm Tungsten T2, which Father Christmas bought me. Now I'm wondering whether to publish a photo of myself...if I can even find a decent one. I think it does help to put a face to bloggers we read on a regular basis. For me it's not for social Friendster-like reasons (although those are valid reasons for lots of people), but to build trust in someone's writing by humanizing it. Like how computer magazines have pictures of their columnists - e.g. Jon Udell and Steve Gillmor - in order to put a human face to the technical content.

The other day I saw a picture of a techy blogger who I've been reading for a few months now, but up till then I'd never seen what he looked like. His picture was totally different to what I had perceived him to look like in my mind's eye. Actually he looked a lot cooler than what I thought he would :-)

So with all this talk of social software going round, I'm curious what the differences are between one's weblog interface (a virtual avatar if you like) and one's human 'real life' interface?

Let's start with an informal survey. What do you think I look like in real life? If you were to construct a human avatar of my weblog, what would he look like to you? Please don't be shy, click the Comment button right below this sentence and don't hold back ;-)

Comment from Cristian Vidmar on 2004-01-05

2004-01-05T19:05:50Z

Ok, Richard, me first! I think in real life you look...tall but not too much, let's say 1.80m, you're average weight, short brown hair, green eyes, no glasses. You usually wear casual (jeans most of the times), drive a small car and ride a mountain bike. You don't have neither a dog nor a cat. Do I win something? :-)

Comment from Andrew on 2004-01-06

2004-01-06T16:12:56Z

Well, you've got kids, which to me indicates you've got a few wrinkles at at least a touch of grey. You seem like the tall and gaunt type to me - erring on the side of too skinny instead of too fat. Good vision, but might wear glasses anyway - perhaps "computer vision" glasses. Eats healthy and sleeps on a regular schedule - but perhaps only to be a good example to the kids. Dark hair - you don't strike me as a read-head or blond - perhaps really dirty blond. You prefer to use public transportation, but it isn't available as much as you'd like. You're affluent enough to have bread to spare for feeding the ducks. You might have a piece of medieval something (a sword or something on a mantle?) or other in your home (a la the LOTR references) but it isn't the typical decor.

Let me know how far off I am.

Comment from Rogers Cadenhead on 2004-01-06

2004-01-06T19:51:32Z

Lacking any information other than your age (31) and gender, I'm going to guess that you look like the average technical weblogger: White, 5-foot-10, brown hair, glasses, pale in complexion, sleep deprived, moderately overweight, and a bit uncomfortable about being photographed

Comment from Greg on 2004-01-06

2004-01-06T20:50:52Z

I personally imagine bloggers that I dont know similar to the way it is done in the Doonesbury comic strip: by some sort of avatar or icon.

In your case, it involves an open book being written on with a feather quill...