If you use your own server space or a pic on another site, be aware that by simply dragging the avatar pic from your profile to another browser window, they can be traced back (to your server, your Facebook account, etc.) where you may be giving out more information than you want to just to have an avatar pic.
There are a few free hosting sites that work (some don't), this one works fine:
Uploading to a Hosting Site
If you're going to re-size/crop, do it with a image editing app on your computer - first [see below];
(otherwise just upload it "as-is" (I've since tested, any size/shape pic will work.)
2. Go to http://tinypic.com/
3. Click on "browse", select a pic from your computer, click "upload now". (resize = default)
4. Get past the annoying "capcha", select the URL from the bottom field = direct link (do not use the link for forums and message boards as it won't work)
5. Copy the link and paste it in the address field on your profile (control panel - profile - avatar), enter 90 X 90 in the appropriate two fields.
6. Click - submit.
Cropping and Resizing Images
Cropping images to a square shape will fix any distortion problems.
The advantages of resizing are; smaller file size, you know how your image will appear and privacy; nobody can steal the full resolution image (for evil and nefarious purposes) from source (pic hosting) by simply dragging it from your profile to the desktop, all they can steal is a 90 X 90 teenie tiny avatar pic.
Windows XP/Vista/7
If you don't know how to do this in Windows, I recommend the following FREE software:
Download GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/windows/
Cropping:
http://docs.gimp.org/2.6/en/gimp-tutorial-quickie-crop.html
Resizing:
http://docs.gimp.org/2.6/en/gimp-tutorial-quickie-scale.html
Windows users may also want to try:
http://www.josephcs.com/blog/resizing-images/
Macintosh
Cropping:
1. Open the image in "Preview", click on "select" in the tool bar and choose "rectangular selection".
2. Drag (click/hold) the cursor diagonally to crop a square portion of the image, you will see the pixel count change as you move the cursor, just make an approximate "square" and let go (unclick/unhold).
You can move the square by clicking inside it and dragging, you can adjust the square by clicking on the circles and dragging, you will get an indicator telling you the resolution, don't worry about the resolution yet, just be sure to make the sides equal (i.e. 450 X 450 or 1200 X 1200, etc).
3. Go into the "Tools" menu at the top of the screen and click on "Crop".
Resizing:
Go back into the "Tool" menu and click on "Adjust Size". in the menu that pops up, change the resolution to 72 or 120 (first!) and the width and height to 90 X 90, and click "Okay"
Close the window and make sure you "save" changes.
