Yeah, it does.
There is a secret function.
I wrote a program which changes the palette of a PNG file. It has a purpose.
The source code is <a href="
http://bisqwit.iki.fi/kala/hloopsrc.png">here</a> (modified slightly so that it works without external settings.) It's written in PHP.
--EDIT 2006-06-16---
So here's how it works. Currently.
Many faces of Bisqwit…
<table><tr><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop1.png'>
neutral
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop4.png'>
playful
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop6.png'>
delight
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop10.png'>
happy
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop8.png'>
hope
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop11.png'>
energic
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop9.png'>
puzzled
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop7.png'>
guru
</span></td></tr><tr><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop3.png'>
unhappy
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop2.png'>
angry
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop5.png'>
nuclear
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop12.png'>
grief
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop13.png'>
bleh
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop44.png'>
admin
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop43.png'>
assertive
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop42.png'>
plot
</span></td></tr><tr><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av1.png'>
alt neutral
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av8.png'>
alt hope
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av6.png'>
alt delight
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av4.png'>
alt playful
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av11.png'>
alt hyper
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av13.png'>
alt bleh
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av9.png'>
alt puzzled
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av7.png'>
alt guru
</span></td></tr><tr><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av3.png'>
alt unhappy
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av12.png'>
alt grief
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop202.png'>
pissed
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av2.png'>
alt angry
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av5.png'>
alt nuclear
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/bisq_av201.png'>
what?
</span></td></tr><tr><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop255.png'>
default
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop254.png'>
christmas
</span></td><td><span class="postbody">
<img src='http://bisqwit.iki.fi/fliers/avatar/owner/hloop41.png'>
shy idea
</span></td></tr></table>
The avatar is selected manually for each posting, depending on the poster's intended impression of mood.
The feature is available for users who have more than 350 posts and a few other privileged users.
Explanations for the helmet colors:
neutral) My favourite tone lies somewhere between blue and purple, but I want it to be neutral.
playful) Green is the colour of (plant)life, hence fun / playful. The earpiece shows warmth.
guru) Dark blue is a technology colour, and modern gurues are knowledgeful with technology.
delight) Relatively natural colours, with gold tint denoting respect. The shadow adds some life to it.
hope) The morning sun has vanquished the horrible night. The earpiece and shadow balance the cold blue.
tired) Gray as in annoyed/bored to death. The red earpiece denotes rising anger. <s style="font-size:0%">What a horrible night to have a curse.</s>
angry) Anger/rage makes one see red, red is also colour of fire.
doom) When the fire has burnt long enough, black is what remains. Darkness also is menacing.
grief) A combination of anger (diminished) and unhappiness. Bleak views.
bleh) Tasteless colours. Tastelessness is lack of respect or interest.
happy) --
hyperactive) --
The alt set is generated mainly with
http://bisqwit.iki.fi/jsgames/avatargenerator/ .
Note: This avatar set is larger than available at the posting form. In fact, I set them case-by-case basis directly to the database, sometimes.
(hint: reload the page)
Yes, PHP is cool!
And Bisqwit, nice job pulling a new trick over the old random image one that some of us use.
I beefed up the size of the text a little, and left the black line surrounding the helmet, to be consistant with the inner black lines. You are welcome to use the image should you like.
Aroused
Overcooked
You're welcome. :)
(MAJOR EDIT: Added smiley face)
Edit by Bisqwit: Changed URLs to archived location
And these were the images which I changed them to after JXQ's posting:
