I don't understand what point you're trying to make but I've got an 8-core Mac Pro with 12 GB of RAM and a MacBook Pro with 2 GB. Both of these machines triple-boot Leopard, Ubuntu 8.04 and XP.

I used my thinkpad 600e, which now runs ubuntu 7.10, as an example because it is considerably less potent than any other computer I own. However, it has no problem with a page of animated .gif files, even on dial-up.

My point is that, while there were once good, technical reasons to prohibit animations on text-based forums, those days are now long gone, especially given that the recent migration was supposed to bring everything up to date. If the admins here don't like animated avatars due to personal bias, then they should just say so instead of hiding behind invalid technical excuses.

And yes, Shawn does do a good job, but that doesn't make him perfect. And don't get me started on the decision to lump the cruiser and classic twins together...