back to article El Reg mulls Forums icon portfolio shake-up

We are put out some feelers to determine whether you, our beloved readers, fancy some extra comments icons to add to the mighty arsenal available to better express your feelings on topics of international import. It's been 18 months or so since we last had an iconography shake-up, and your input proved invaluable in the …

COMMENTS

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  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    popcorn

    popcorn

    1. Grikath

      Re: popcorn

      This one would see heavy use...

    2. g e

      Re: popcorn

      My first thought.

      Thoroughly seconded.

    3. GregC
      Thumb Up

      Re: popcorn

      Yup, agreed

    4. Psyx
      Pint

      Re: popcorn

      We also need a bacon sandwich.

      Popcorn is nice and all, but isn't a bacon buttie a better nibble?

    5. Anonymous Coward
      Mushroom

      Re: popcorn

      Bollocks to popcorn, commentards.

      Think what could be achieved with .wav "icons".

  2. Lockwood

    Return of the ! Badgers

    Banging head against wall, for where facepalm doesn't quite cover it?

    That evil robot face burn it with fire thing from the Technologic music video for when our metal overlords are jsut about to strike?

    1. Haku
      1. Oninoshiko

        Re: If animated gifs are allowed...

        ugh animated gifs.

        Just kill me now.

        1. David Given
          Thumb Up

          Re: If animated gifs are allowed...

          Good idea --- how about a 'kill me now' icon?

      2. Fatman

        Re: If animated gifs are allowed...Self head slap

        I would suggest that an image of Rush Limbaugh banging himself with a microphone be used instead of the image proposed.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      "metal overlords"

      Yeah! Right! Oi! Eighties, pipe down.

  3. Anonymous Custard

    Lohan

    As an update to the Paris icon, and in honor of SPB's latest.

  4. M Gale

    Custom

    Let users upload a selection of their own 32x32 bitmaps. Banhammer available in case of penis.

    1. Peter Simpson 1

      Re: Custom

      "Banhammer available in case of penis."

      OW!

      1. M Gale

        Re: Custom

        Brings back memories of the moderatrix and her gleefully-administered emasculations.

        Come back Ms Bee, it's just not the same without you!

  5. IHateWearingATie
    Trollface

    Sort the troll icon

    ... it's rubbish. Needs to be far more troll-like (take inspiration from The Hobbit)

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Sort the troll icon

      Are you new to the Intarpipes?

    2. jonathanb Silver badge

      Re: Sort the troll icon

      I agree. A troll should look something like this

      http://www.shopatnorway.com/images/840170_LA_troll_norway.jpg

      1. Lockwood

        Re: Sort the troll icon

        I think that successful troll has been successful.

    3. Lone Gunman

      Re: Sort the troll icon

      Depends whether you want a Nordic furry troll or a Discworld rock troll.

    4. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Sort the troll icon

      "Sort the troll icon

      ... it's rubbish. Needs to be far more troll-like (take inspiration from The Hobbit)"

      Or a fannyboi, now there's a TROLL for you!

  6. El Presidente

    Male Chicken Icon

    For obvious reasons.

    1. SuperTim
      Thumb Up

      Re: Male Chicken Icon

      Yes, or the end of a bell...again for obvious reasons!

    2. Z-Eden
      Devil

      Re: Male Chicken Icon

      Agreed. And said chicken should appear being visibly throttled...

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Male Chicken Icon

      And:

      A snout in a trough (for the sort of graft that the UK now does so well)

      A bishop's mitre (for all sorts of religious and unscientific beliefs)

      A justice statue with scales that don't balance (where there's one law for us, one law for them)

      Some police line tape (for "nothing to see here, move along!")

      And most importantly, what about the ability to combine up to four icons? So if discussing some spurious technical angle to Margaret Moran's expenses, we could have a snout in a trough, a thumbs down, an imbalanced justice, and some police tape.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Male Chicken Icon

        "A bishop's mitre (for all sorts of religious and unscientific beliefs)"

        Also acts as an alternative to the male chicken - possibly for religious scandals?

      2. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

        That's another one: police tape

        I think a police tape icon would actually be good too.

  7. ukgnome

    Yes Yes Yes

    We need a fandroid, Popcorn, kamikaze

    and for the yanks - an asshat

    1. Captain Save-a-ho
      Coat

      Re: Yes Yes Yes

      and for the yanks - an asshat

      Would it be legal to use David Cameron's image?

      1. LateNightLarry
        Pint

        Re: Yes Yes Yes

        Better yet, Mutt Romney or Paul Ryan, aka the Lyin' Twins...

        A nice glass of wine for those of us with slightly more sophisticated tastes would be nice too.

  8. h4rm0ny

    Bring back the old ones...!

    I would like to have Steve Jobs with a halo back again.

    Also, can we have a different icon than the Anonymous mask for anonymous posts. They're not the same thing.

    Also, can you put a block on Bob Vistakin using the Linux logo? Some of us Linux users find it embarrasing.

    1. Andy 115

      Re: Bring back the old ones...!

      Surely the Anonymous icon should be a chicken?

    2. jonathanb Silver badge

      Re: Bring back the old ones...!

      And a flying chair

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      @h4rmony

      Most Linux users have a lot more to be embarrassed about then Bob Vistakin ...

      As for icons - ditch the whole thing. It's just irritating and childish.

      1. sabroni Silver badge
        Thumb Up

        Re: It's just irritating and childish

        Yup!

    4. Joe K

      Re: Bring back the old ones...!

      Another vote here for bringing back the old ones, they were much better.

      The angel/devil ones now are awful, the fanboi one makes no sense, troll guy is from 4chan, and we really REALLY need the El Reg gravestone back.

  9. Mint Sauce

    Playmobil

    For when only a re-creation of an incident will do :-)

    1. Psmiffy

      Re: Playmobil

      Definitily a Playmobil icon ...

  10. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Definitely need icons for

    ennui and schadenfreude.

    1. frank ly
      Happy

      Re: Definitely need icons for

      You're thinking about Apple/Samsung aren't you?

      1. mhoulden
        Meh

        Re: Definitely need icons for

        Wouldn't a Tweedledum and Tweedledee one be more appropriate for out of control lawyers?

        (One change I'd like would be to change "Anonymous Coward" back to "Anonymous Vulture". This is not Slashdot and sometimes there are good reasons to post anonymously)

    2. g e

      Re: Definitely need icons for

      'Buddy Jesus' perhaps as in 'That's karma for ya' ?

  11. wowfood

    Trollface updates

    Add in other trollface type meme images, including but not limited to

    Cereal guy

    poker face

    rage face

    me gusta

    Facedesk (possibly animated)

    popcorn

    lolipop

    rotten apple / apple core

    broken android (best example http://www.iadea.com/sites/www.iadea.com/files/images/broken-android.jpg )

  12. Harvey Trowell
    Mushroom

    Ooh, ooh! Please sir, can we get our hand grenade back?

    I miss the hand grenade icon. It allowed a warmer and more personal response than nuking from orbit.

    Also, how about a "Where's the bacon angle?" icon, possibly featuring a perplexed pig.

    Finally, perhaps an icon of a toilet obscured by a red ring with a diagonal slash, indicating an objection to toilet humour etc, to be used whenever that Hard Reg chap feels the need to squeeze a peurile and lunch-ruining bodily functions gag into a console review and we need to remind him that El Reg isn't Viz.

    1. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

      we need to remind him that El Reg isn't Viz.

      Spoilsport. After me trying to encourage that view..

    2. Tom 13

      Re: Ooh, ooh! Please sir, can we get our hand grenade back?

      Oooh! oooh! Not just any hand grenade. The Holy Hand Grenade. As an animated gif.

  13. bag o' spanners
    Terminator

    A maggoty apple. (All purpose)

    A bowler hat to represent the establishment view.

    A Shoreditch Triangle...in case of breakdowns.

    1. dotdavid
      Joke

      <- And there I was thinking this was a Shoreditch Triangle...

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      And one for rank, steaming hypocrisy. I favour a picture of Tony Blair.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        " I favour a picture of Tony Blair."

        Wearing a bishop's mitre - or a halo for those Teflon moments?

        1. I ain't Spartacus Gold badge

          I wish to second (or is it third?) the Tony Blair/hypocrisy icon idea.

          For some reason I felt it was appropriate to post my choice of new icon here. Can't think why...

          I would like a vomit icon please. The new keyboard please is more coffee than sick. For those times when the sanctimony or 'think of the children' are getting to me, or when some bootnotes story comes along involving penis self-surgery or the like.

          A man laughing his head off would also be nice, for those times when Apple have to re-post an apology 17 times, because they were just too childish to get it right first time. Or for when someone custard pies Larry Ellison.

  14. g e

    Sixgun icon

    For, well, when various states/organisations are riding into people's metaphorical towns shootin' their sixguns in the air...

  15. Magister

    Really 18 months?

    Perhaps we should have one to indicate the passing of time (Dinosaur?)

    Definitely need a new one for all the political debates - crossed pitchfork and flaming torch?

    How about one "the end of the world as we know it" - suitable for any new release of software, iDevice, Daily Fail readers etc.

    1. Asiren

      Re: Really 18 months?

      Maybe a pitchfork-wielding mob silouette for riled up comments?

      1. Oninoshiko

        Re: Asiren

        I kinda like the thought here, but it needs to be fairly small. I dont think the mob would work. OTOH just a pitchfork and torch would be good!

    2. Fatman

      Re: crossed pitchfork and flaming torch

      I second that one!!!

      1. Pedigree-Pete
        Pint

        Re: crossed pitchfork and flaming torch

        Perhaps we could just go with the White Pointy Hat/Mask with 2 holes in it.

  16. g e

    Anti-freedom icon

    For stuff like MAFIAA activities, censorship, etc...

    Perhaps the old Monopoly face-behind-bars jail image or a taped-over mouth, etc

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Anti-freedom icon

      hmmm.what about the guy with the top hat from the monopoly game to represent out of control business practice?

    2. Michael Thibault

      Re: Anti-freedom icon

      Handcuffs.

      Gun barrel and sight, as seen from the business end.

      Reticle over blurred/blurry subject/target/object of affention.

      YTF? (in addition to the WTF? sign)

      Pram/Carriage (for nanny-statisms).

      Hand grenade (consider ripping off/riffing on Diane Arbus: http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/boy-with-toy-hand-grenade/)

      Better pedant, Big Brother, Think of the children, Windows icons.

      A cheerleader (not discernibly one, the other, or the other other gender) in lieu of a Fanboi icon.

      A caravan (trailer/mobile home) with trash can.

      'Hands off, bitch!' (this one is mine, and I'm already in the process of patenting it.)

      ...

      In addition to work on the icons, I think some thought should go into parallelisation of the text equivalents/analogues.

      It might also serve to have an option for multiple images where, for each image checked at the moment the post is submitted, a smaller icon appears in the top line of the post, suitably spaced, rather than just one icon in the left-hand margin. In this instantiation, the multiple icons could (possibly) be read as a shorthand summation of the overall thrust of the 'tards view on the subject(s) at hand.

      1. Field Marshal Von Krakenfart
        Thumb Up

        Re: Anti-freedom icon

        How about the old Home Cooking Is Killing The Restaurant Industry icon.

        http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4381726392_ecf7e0b162.jpg

  17. Steve Davies 3 Silver badge
    Pirate

    May I humbly suggest the following

    A Dinosaur

    A Fanboi (Apple Varity)

    A Fanboi (Android Variety)

    A Fanboi (Windows Variety)

    Geek

    WTF?

    I thank you.... me hearties

    1. GregC
      WTF?

      <-- we already have a wtf

      and a geek, sort of.

      Agreed on the fanboi tirumvirate, and the dinosaur.

      1. Lockwood
        Windows

        Re: <-- we already have a wtf

        I always thought this was part of that triumvirate, along with Tux and spiky guy

  18. sebacoustic

    facetweet plus

    some sort of web2horrea or social networking related icon would be good

    1. Gordon 10

      Re: facetweet plus

      Yes. We need a TwatBook Icon or similar.

      1. AdamT

        Re: facetweet plus

        a "2.0" would cover this and the OP's suggestion?

      2. Lockwood
        Trollface

        Re: facetweet plus

        Lockwood, Anonymous Coward and 3 others like this

    2. Uncle Slacky Silver badge
      Thumb Up

      Re: facetweet plus

      Maybe use an image from the IT Crowd "FriendFace" advert?

  19. NomNomNom

    i would like to see an end to the war in syria and also a clear strategy for dealing with the euro debt crisis

    1. Gordon 10
      Mushroom

      So a "Ghandi holding a fist full of dollars" Icon should cover both?

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      You've got an icon for both, and its the same one as Gordon 10's chosen below.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      So then you're looking for the pony

      icon?

  20. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Bring back...

    The dead vulture.

  21. Code Monkey

    Down with this sort of thing

    Careful now

  22. oddie

    may I be the first to....

    Can we please have a 'in my day....' icon? seems nearly half the comments to any given technology thread are by people complaining how difficult something was back in their day... or how hardware never broke back in the old days (in IT that would be what.. 4 years ago?)

    I think it should have an icon with a hole-punch-card in it..

    1. AdamT

      Re: may I be the first to....

      or a steam engine? (pretend it's driving a "difference engine" for the IT angle)

    2. Admiral Grace Hopper

      Re: may I be the first to....

      I woudl like to second this proposal, but with the suggestion that you use paper tape rather than a punched card; this will avoid arguments about whether the holes should be round or square.

      1. TeeCee Gold badge

        Re: may I be the first to....

        We could compromise.

        Square holes with rounded corners......

    3. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

      maybe..

      .. a Zimmerframe instead?

    4. Haku

      Re: may I be the first to....

      A picture of a meadow for "I remember when all this was just fields"

    5. Uncle Slacky Silver badge
      Thumb Up

      Re: may I be the first to....

      A picture of a lawn? (As in "get off my...")

    6. Martin Budden Silver badge

      Re: may I be the first to....

      or a picture of whatever it was they cut off Multics to make Unix... ouch!

    7. Pedigree-Pete
      Thumb Up

      Re: may I be the first to....

      ...or punched tape.

  23. Andy 115

    Something linked to departing executives…

    Apple, BBC, Microsoft - they're all at it!

    1. Jan Hargreaves

      Re: Something linked to departing executives…

      P45 icon seems heavily appropriate for when fail or facepalm just isn't enough. Would we keep having to explain this to our cousins over the ocean though? Maybe make it pink?

    2. Anonymous Custard
      Coat

      Re: Something linked to departing executives…

      The exit door or a parachute perhaps?

      Although it does go along the lines of the coat icon (<----- that one) which I guess it could perhaps replace.

      1. John G Imrie

        Re: Something linked to departing executives…

        If it's a parachute it would have to be golden.

  24. Code Monkey

    Also

    Linguine/jub/elephants per second for the inevitable complaints* when an article fails to use the correct Reg units.

    * admittedly mostly from me

  25. John 211

    Omnishambles

    In light of the recent OED entry, I suggest an icon to represent 'onmishables'

    Not sure what though.

    1. Amonynous

      Re: Omnishambles

      That's easy, just need the Greek Alpha and Omega symbols in the wrong order. Should cover all eventualities up to and including the universe reaching a state of maximum entropy.

    2. hplasm
      Happy

      Re: Omnishambles

      A TIFKAM screen?

      1. Dave 126 Silver badge

        Re: Omnishambles

        >In light of the recent OED entry, I suggest an icon to represent 'onmishables'

        >Not sure what though.

        A coffee machine.

        In the original context, Malcom Tucker continued to express his exasperation thus: "You're like one of those coffee machines... from bean to cup, you f*** up!"

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Omnishambles

      Nope, because you'd then need icons for polyshambles, multishambles, trishambles and the like.

  26. flashdba
    Thumb Up

    Handbags at Dawn

    How about a handbag icon for use when a comment thread descends into petty a tit-for-tat hair-pulling bitchfest?

    The way I see it is that party A and party B slug it out getting increasingly off-topic until innocent bystander C pops up with the handbag icon to say "you girls get a room", at which point A and B are embarrassed into silence and we can all get on with our lives.

    Only problem is I see it getting worn out very quickly...

    1. Darryl
      Thumb Down

      Re: Handbags at Dawn

      Yeah, like A and B would actually be embarassed and shut up. You new around here?

  27. Chris 171

    More options to berate apple please, many more.

    And didnt there used to be a ROTM icon? or is that the bizarro 'your foster parents' one nowadays?

    1. Vic

      Re: More options to berate apple please, many more.

      > or is that the bizarro 'your foster parents' one nowadays?

      Yep. Say the phrase in an Austrian accent, and it makes a bit more sense...

      Vic.

  28. Valeyard
    Megaphone

    gremlin

    A gremlin in a microwave, for software bugs/gremlins of fail, and to represent my smouldering and probably irrational (it's hard to tell anymore) seething bubbling-beneath-the-surface everytime sir runcipal spoon uses "Sir" as a title to a reply, I feel as if he's going to ask for more porridge

    1. Valeyard

      Re: gremlin

      And some sorta of crazy doo-lally icon for when manfrommars1 posts of course ;)

      1. moonface

        Re: gremlin

        Dr Hans Zarkov icon for jake, for knocking up that old spaceship from bits of kit, found around the ranch. You too would scoff at new fangled technology only capable of low earth orbit, when you can easily commute to Mungo.

        1. moonface
          Facepalm

          Re: gremlin

          D'oh! it's the planet Mongo not Mungo!

          Serious suggestion: Ming the merciless for being the bringer of anthropomorphic climatatic calamities. (though stickly speaking he isn't human)

  29. Longrod_von_Hugendong

    We need

    a bullshit icon

    1. richardcox13

      Re: We need

      Unicode already has its 'PILE OF POO' (U+1F4A9), so this isn't much of a stretch.

      http://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/1f4a9/index.htm

      1. Martin Budden Silver badge

        Re: We need

        Only one font has implemented that unicode, but it's a goody (I mean doody): http://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/font/symbola/u1F4A9.png

  30. JimmyPage Silver badge
    Unhappy

    Please fix the forums first

    before adding icons (unless you add a "please fix it" icon).

    You *used* to be able to "view post in context" when reviewing your own posts. Click that link and it took you - amazingly - to see your post in the thread.

    You took it away over a year ago - and looking in the user forums, I'm not the only one who misses it.

    Please ?

    Please ?

    Please ?

    1. Simon Harris

      Re: Please fix the forums first

      and how about an option to nest posts in a thread so that it's obvious that the scathing post below mine isn't slagging me off, but the person I was replying to!

      ... unless they actually were slagging me off!

      1. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

        .. and an "edit" option

        I rather like the ability to only edit your posts for a short time (otherwise the comments can become meaningless). Especially when I'm using a system where my pet hate (Autoscrewup Correct) has been left on, posts develop errors only when you click the "post" button, which is why you get so many delete-and-repost entries.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      My posts / .posting in context - your wish is granted.

      Not just for reply tos anymore. Click on the "posted" timestamp link when in my posts to see in action.

  31. Z-Eden
    Angel

    I like the current Oatmeal style Icons.

    Need a dead computer icon

    Where's the Paris/Lohan angle?

  32. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    firing squad

    Somebody being put against the wall and shot (useful for any patent lawyer related comments, or government ones come to think of it).

  33. Thomas 4

    A Patent Wars icon is needed

    Perhaps a picture of Lucy Koh facepalming might be appropriate, or possibly a crying toddler.

    1. richardcox13

      Re: A Patent Wars icon is needed

      A crying toddler. or rather having a strop would cover many a report of legal posturing.

      1. Captain DaFt

        Re: A Patent Wars icon is needed

        Yes, YES! definitely a tantrum baby icon!

        Suitable for patent suits, inflated egos, DRM pushers, and clueless self entitled mouth frothers of all ilk.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: A Patent Wars icon is needed

        "A crying toddler. or rather having a strop would cover many a report of legal posturing."

        How would you be clear that this is an American baby?

  34. Vulch
    Boffin

    Rocket Science

    For when the Boffin just isn't enough...

    1. Simon Harris

      Brain Surgery

      For when Rocket Science just isn't enough...

      1. Darryl

        Re: Brain Surgery

        This ain't rocket surgery, ya know

        1. GrahamT

          Re: Rocket Science

          A rocket in a road sign with a diagonal line through it for: "It's not rocket science..." ?

  35. Bob Vistakin
    Go

    Android / Apple / Microsoft

    Android taking a much bigger bite out of Apple.

    A wrinkled old Apple full of maggots

    Microsoft - just a broken window with rats leaping out of it will do

    Nokia - similar, since it's just a microsoft department now, but make that a sinking ship sailing away from a burning platform..

  36. Flakey

    Forget Apples...

    ..give us a bacon sarnie icon

  37. Blitheringeejit

    Brown trouser icon?

    For being afraid, very afraid...

  38. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I for one...

    What about a "I for one welcome our ????? Overlord"?

    Showing people on their knees bowing...

  39. NoneSuch Silver badge

    The prudish snake covering the naked coffin model would be a nice NSFW icon. Not that it would be used for that, mind you.

    1. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

      A bit redundant..

      When you see the icon it's probably a tad late not to look at the entry :)

  40. Simon Harris

    corners...

    How about an old piece of bread with rounded corners that's gone a bit dry and is curling up at the edges...

    ... because jokes about rounded corners and patents are getting a bit stale now.

    (and yes, I'll admit, I've joined in with the masses and made the odd rounded corner comment in my time!)

  41. Esskay
    Thumb Up

    couple of ideas

    -Bring back the Steve Jobs icon - but turn it horizontal, and make it appear as though it's rotating.

    -A patent lawyer hanging from a noose.

    -With Windows 8 and WP8 hitting the scene like mr creosote doing a bellyflop, how about a Ballmer icon? To express general loud noises mentalness (maybe replace the megaphone with him).

    -a "here's an idea..." icon would be nice - maybe a lightbulb, Einstein, etc

    -I rarely use the ROTM/foster parents icon, but that's mainly due to an unfortunate lack of stories that require it, rather than an innate dislike of it.

    1. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

      Re: couple of ideas

      Actually, if you can do animated icons I'd like a chair throwing Steve Balmer, please..

      1. Simon Harris

        Re: couple of ideas

        ... and the Steve Ballmer 'Developers Developers Developers' dance please!

  42. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    One of these please

    Beastie

    Lest we forget that the penguin has a more refined, older relative.

    1. Michael Thibault

      or, to save some space...

      Beastie with trident roasting the bird, the fruit, and whatever the fuck that blue thing is that Ms paid excessively for.

  43. Colin Millar
    Flame

    A lamppost and Carter Pewterschmidt

    For "When the revolution comes" and "Grumpy old man" (Yeah I know but I can't bring myself to use any of that bloody smiley crap)

    And weed out the others

    Smiley's (come on Reg - really - smiley's in 2012?)

    Joke alert - cos if you use the icon it isn't

    Paris - so noughties

    Pingu, fanboi and wuser - just replace all of these with a zombie icon indicating braindeadness and fandroids, arsefacers, chromeheads and fans of korean and norwegian hardware can all get on board

  44. Big_Boomer Silver badge

    A classic Cat line from Red Dwarf

    Yes, I would like to propose a "What you talkin' about dog-breath?" icon. Yes, I do know that it's a variation on Colemans catchphrase from "Diff'rent Strokes".

    As for what could go, "a divine being" and "the spawn of satan" along with the 3 smileys and "Your foster parents are dead". I agree with the need for Linux, Windows, Apple, and Android fanboi icons as well as changing Paris to Lohan.

    1. I ain't Spartacus Gold badge

      Re: A classic Cat line from Red Dwarf

      Do we really need individual fanboy icons for each type? Surely a general one will do.

      Also I want a smiley face icon for when I'm being politely insulting. Instead of the few times when I get a bit more grumpy and tell some other commentard to get stuffed. Only used when justified. I hope...

  45. Don Jefe

    Badgers and Dinosaurs

    I'd like to see the Badger icon returned.

    I'd also like a dinosaur icon.

    Also maybe a gun...

  46. Joe K

    Fanboi wars

    Some "I *heart* MS" and Apple icons would really get things going, as well as show true allegiances amongst the foolishly honest.

    1. Haku

      Re: Fanboi wars

      How about a picture of Harry Hill with "FIIIIIGHT!" on it?

  47. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Grammar Police

    Must have a grammar police icon surely :)

    1. TeeCee Gold badge

      Re: Grammar Police

      What's wrong with the existing "Pedantic Grammar Nazi alert" one?

      Hint: There's hover text you know.......

  48. DJ Smiley
    Holmes

    Donkey...

    Again, obvious reasons :D

  49. Ian 5
    Go

    That global warming lady's backside.

    Class...

  50. Simon B
    Mushroom

    A burning Apple!

    A burning Apple would be nice to display a hatred towards apple's stupid 'we own copyright to rectangles' and 'you can only use our software to copy files to an mp3 player(!)' etc ;)

  51. h4rm0ny

    10 Downing Street

    We need a black door with a 10 on it, for government business.

    And possibly a Union Jack for British business.

    And a hamburger for Americans.

  52. Bronek Kozicki

    a pair of large balls made of steel

    need to explain?

    1. Fatman

      Re: a pair of large balls made of steel

      NO,

      a pair of large balls made of brass

      a suggestion:

      http://www.bulls-balls.com/large/bigbrass.jpg

  53. Aqua Marina

    Emoji!!

    Nuff said

  54. moonface

    Icons

    Pigs at the trough picture.

    Monopoly banker.

    Chinese army picture. thousands marching in unison for economic progress.

    The most corporate and perfectly cheesy call centre staff picture you can find icon.

  55. Velv
    FAIL

    FAIL

    You've suggested that you'll go to the pub AFTER the new list has been produced.

    USELESS.

    You should be going to the pub NOW to discuss the options - that'll produce a much more biting selection for commentard consumption and will avoid lots of Political Correctness rubbish (there's a point - a political correctness icon?)

    1. a cynic writes...
      Joke

      "...a political correctness icon?"

      A policemen wearing Napoleon's hat perhaps?

  56. Roby
    Mushroom

    It's the only way to be sure

    How about a "nuke the entire site from orbit" icon? Could be used in situations of security flaws, webSITES that people don't like, or just generally when the poo has hit the fan or someone thinks there is no hope for a certain technology/company.

    It would probably end up looking a lot like the "Eat this" icon though.

  57. Big_Ted
    Happy

    A couple I'd like

    An Ostrich with its head buried in the sand

    A pile of poo with steam and a fly abouve it

    We also need something for patents.

    How about the poo sitting on a patent application.....

  58. PyLETS
    Joke

    A muppet

    As to which one, well Kermit or Miss Piggy ? To be used for responding to a comment or commentard so described.

  59. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

    Flying pig?

    OK, it's a tad more traditional, but a flying pig is still a current expression, and very useful in especially the debates about government IT, or the MPAA/RIAA giving up or ..

    1. Simon Harris

      Re: Flying Car...

      For those 'why haven't I got my flying car/robot monkey butler/unlimited free electricity... yet?' posts.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Flying Car...

        chitty chitty bang bang icon

  60. Alistair

    Some days I think

    -- we could use a clueless tag. In both contexts.

    -- t'would be apropos this post as I've no idea what we'd use.

  61. Keep Refrigerated
    Mushroom

    Burning platform

    Can we have an oil rig or similar kind of platform on fire - think it would suit a number of topics/posts regarding CEO's jumping ship; doing a Ratner.

  62. Tom 38

    I would love a "Are You Serious Face", from the popular intertube meme "Are You Serious Face".

    Tide goes in, tide goes out, can't explain it.

    http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/are-you-serious-face-seriously

  63. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Vampire with a stake through it

    There are so many things that need this treatment.

  64. Triggerfish

    Brazil

    Some sort of Brazil icon (the Terry Gilliam film). This will be to signify that even though we fear we may end up like 1984..e.g gov creates massive id card database. The follow on story a few weeks later detailing the inevitable cock ups and overruns and idiocy of bureaucracy can then have an appropriate icon.

  65. Arthur the cat Silver badge

    Fingers in the ears, going "la la la"

    for things that are getting way too much coverage like the recent US election.

  66. Battsman

    A gigantic ass

    A gigantic ass four times as large as all other icons. Why? Because donkeys are cool.

    Alternately an FSM (Flying Spaghetti Monster) because his noodley greatness demands your undying worship.

  67. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Prior Art icon

    Something suitably old and well known to represent the lack of obviousness and originality in a patent - maybe part of a Da Vinci invention. Or a wheel. Roll over text could be "All this has happened before" (for the BG fans).

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Prior Art icon

      ...or a piece of fruit with a bite taken out of it.

  68. Charlie Clark Silver badge

    For patent issues

    A square with rounded corners.

  69. Silverburn

    No icons...

    ...but new features.

    Being able to see who downvotes you. Maybe it will encourage to post more constructive votes (ie not "sour grapes") if your voting habits were public.

    It would also cut the downvoting clicks by 99% too, I suspect...

    1. ukgnome
      Trollface

      Re: No icons...

      I downvoted you, and will do so for ever more.

      Does that make you feel better?

      1. Silverburn

        Re: No icons...

        It does actually - a tiny bit of evidence at last that some people downvote simply because they're twats. Something I had long suspected.

        1. ukgnome
          Coffee/keyboard

          Re: No icons...

          And now I have had to upvote you for your sincerity.

  70. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Goatse

    For you're talking out of your arse.

  71. Anonymous Coward
    Windows

    A spinning in his grave Steve Jobs icon for all the future Apple going down the pan news reports.

    A pigeon icon for all the vacant minded London stories. Yeah, I'm looking at you Techcity.....

  72. Psmiffy

    FSM

    We need a Flying Spaghetti Monster icon ... for all religions debates and other such exciting things, also for unexplained phenomena.

    1. Martin Budden Silver badge
      Go

      Re: FSM

      Seconded!

  73. Spleen

    A series of tubes

    For all "public figure in less knowledgeable about technology than target audience of El Reg shock" stories. A picture of the old Windows screensaver would do.

  74. Risky
    Thumb Up

    First thoughs:

    Beard'n'Sandles - instead of penguin for *nix types.

    The silly "Prince" squiggle - for TIFKAM

    Whale/Joss Stick - for when the Cetean Ambient is cranked up

    An Armchair - for any long posts on military matters

  75. Anonymous Coward
    Alien

    a blue 'hot' alien

    Because everyone knows that asari are 'hot'.....

    and the Pirate Queen of Omega needs an icon for her posts.........

    Usefull for all those stories about alien weirdness and uncertainty principle machines which make female undergarments jump 3 feet sideways......

    Just look for images of asari & Aria T'Loak if in any doubt.....

  76. Anonymous Coward
    Go

    A few ideas

    -An "in it for the money" icon, could just be a Dollar or Pound symbol

    -Bring back the alien overlord welcome mat

    -Sadly, we should think about replacing Paris Hilton with a new high-profile minx.....the downside of Paris growing up finally, I guess.

  77. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Bumper car

    Could you make the satan icon look less like a happy bumper car?

    Anothe vote also for the ol' badger's paws icon.

  78. JimC

    Cute Puppy and Mandy Rice-Davies

    A cute puppy or kitten or something to express that vaguely heart warming yet exasperating feeling that is brought by the sight of sweet and innocent but utter naivety...

    And most of all, a Mandy Rice-Davies icon, for those who would say that wouldn' they...

  79. Trevor_Pott Gold badge

    Picard facepalm.

    1. Martin Budden Silver badge
      Facepalm

      re. Picard facepalm.

      Great idea, and a simple drop-in replacement for the current boring icon (see left).

    2. Trevor_Pott Gold badge

      The extant one doesn't have the same cultural "baggage" as the Picard facepalm. "Facepalms" on the net have become a stratified thing. There are :layers: to their use. Which one gets used depends on the level of fail involved. We already have a "fail" icon. I posit that this is roughly the same "rank" as our extant facepalm icon. Thus they are completely redundant. "Fail" + Picard facepalm is two different layers of fail. The Picard facepalm has traditionally been used in between "regular facepalm" and the "Picard + Riker double facepalm" which is itself one layer lower than the "meta-Picard facepalm" made up of hundreds of smaller facepalms.

      Memes!

  80. Blofeld's Cat

    A light bulb...

    For those "I've got a cunning plan" moments.

  81. Old Handle

    It seems to me the current "fanboi" and "windows user" icons are not sufficiently clear. I think we need something that more unambiguously says "I love Apple!" (or Microsoft). Also I think Android deserves its own, separate from Tux.

  82. Petrea Mitchell
    Go

    "I am a geek wallowing in my geekiness"

    For those comment threads that get taken over by obscure Doctor Who trivia, Goon Show references, etc.

    Being a hardcore sf fan, the first icon that suggests itself to me is the multicolored propeller beanie, but I suppose you could go for wider mainstream comprehensibility (at least for British readers, anyway) with an anorak.

  83. CaptSmegHead

    Feed the troll icon

    An extended hand offering food, for those times you can't help feeding trolls

  84. CaptSmegHead

    Sweatshop icon

    For all those Foxconn stories

  85. Martin Budden Silver badge

    Fingers in ears, going "la la la".

    Would get used a lot for Lewis Page articles, by commentards from both sides of the Great Divide.

  86. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Just give us proper indenting, please.

    So we can easily see which comment is replying to which other comment. It's not rocket surgery.

  87. Anonymous Custard

    Three Wise Monkeys

    How about a 3 wise monkeys icon (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil)?

    Specificially at the moment for Apple/Samsung patent discussions, relating to "I don't give a **** any more, I'm fed up with it" posts?

  88. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    TM

    Or how about a TM icon, for similar posts about patents, trademarks and other stuff we're now thoroughly sick of?

  89. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Facepalm

    For the times when an omnishambles becomes a FFS!

  90. M7S

    A love heart?

    There's a huge amount of negativity going on here.

  91. Cliff

    A tool

    if we can't have the male chicken, a tool would be handy and charmingly ambiguous

  92. Martin Budden Silver badge
    Go

    Gotta have these:

    Discworld

    HHGTTG

    Red Dwarf

  93. Risky

    Off- topic

    I was thinking of a hat-stand icon for completely off-topic posts.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Off- topic

      wibble

  94. CaptSmegHead
    Happy

    Dad army

    Corporal jones (RIP) icon. - don't panic !

    Or

    Private Fraser - we're doomed !

  95. CaptSmegHead
    Thumb Up

    Wooden spoon icon

  96. Pedigree-Pete
    Alien

    Marvin

    No not Hank, the Martian one. 'Coz I like him.

    Icon, only one apropriate:)

  97. Gobhicks

    "My Mind is Blown" - Eraserhead pic would be good, but might have licensing issues.

    "Are You Tripping?" - sunshine blotter design, maybe?

  98. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    How about an icon of a cannabis plant, or a bong, for all of those "I don't know what you're smoking, but can I have half a pound*** of it please?" moments?

    ***Or Grapefruit/Funbag/Insert appropriate El Reg Unit

  99. jukejoint

    Scissors snipping the head off ...

    ...for things that reek of male privilege rolling in its own smegmess.

    And what about something for the blues: some type of idiot icon we can attach to whatever's getting everyone down, perhaps a mashup of the Israeli & Palestinian flags.

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