I personally like to put a face on someone when reading posts and responding to them. I wish more members would use the avatar feature here. It really helps especially if you go to shows, get togethers, etc. You know who people are even before introductions.
I use to post a pic as part of my signature even back in the Badger Pond days. Last week, as was apparent in the posts by several people who saw me at Woodworks 2003 and said "hey I know that guy" and came over to introduce themselves. (of course an ugly puss is easier to remember .)
In the early days of SMC I made lots of avatars for members who were unable to make them. I will make that offer to any member who wants to use an avatar. Just e-mail me a picture (any size) which I can crop/compress to the required size (50 x 50 pixels). I will do so and e-mail you back an avatar which you can insert in your profile.