Apple built their business on avatars or icons whatever. It is easier /quicker to associate something with a picture - duh, isn't that what art/photography is about, - and I think a small image at the top of a post would be fine . There is plenty of room to right of name. Also, perhaps a few basic smilies would be useful - nothing too exciting, just say happy, sad, puzzled, I'm joking, puzzled. It aids in getting meanings across culteral boundaries.
Also, to save starting a new thread in the next few hours - if Asher is dropping this topic room? Could we have the time of posting, as well as the date. In spite of how it may appear, I often spend considerabl;e time trying to explain exactly what I mean. During that time, there can be a number of other replies made by other folk - it won't stop that, not that I would want to, but at least I can see a bit better how th thread developed, and come back to say that I wasn't copying the three previous posts ;-) If I edit a post it shows the time.
Best wishes,
Ray