Skype’s Sepia Avatars

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Disco DJ Ennis in da virtual hiz-ouse!

Remember “flesh colored” bandaids – the ones that didn’t look anything like your flesh, and which stood out like a pink gash on your arm? This same problem recurs in the virtual world. Cyberspace is oddly eurocentric given the vast number of cyber-coolies who work to maintain and extend it. Despite the years that have elapsed since the end of the flesh-colored crayon, very little of the virtual world is easily extensible to look like me.

One noteworthy exception is a company called Weeworld that specializes in the creation of avatars for use with Skype or other services. Their web application lets you specify settings for 23 variables, each of which can take on multiple values, to create an image of yourself for only 1.5 Euros. Not only can you specify whatever skin, hair and eye color you want, but you can also give your icon facial hair and even a fairly realistic looking turban! It is a profound demonstration of the deep penetration of desis into British cultural life when a British company, producing for a largely European audience, includes a turban as a standard option. [Hat tip to Mr Sikhnet]

28 thoughts on “Skype’s Sepia Avatars”

  1. …includes a turban as a standard option

    But the real question is, how many turban styles do they include? 😉

  2. Only the one displayed, I’m afraid. However, you can choose whether you have a gut or a three-pack (again, displayed). I thought that was pretty cool. There are many headgear options, this was the only Sikh one.

  3. I’m just teasing – it’s really nice to see such a flexible and inclusive avatar process 🙂

  4. Ennis man you are going to blow your cover. I vote for your Avatar replacing your current picture on the sidebar 🙂

  9. It is a profound demonstration of the deep penetration of desis into British cultural life when a British company, producing for a largely European audience, includes a turban as a standard option

    Thats why I like England despite all its faults.

  10. Thats why I like England despite all its faults.

    Faults?

    Ennis, on a scale of 1-10, how accurate is that wee fella? I always thought it was interesting how ‘avatar’ had become such a commonly-used word by the computerati, but few know its origins. And as you point out, ironically not many avatars resembled anyone from the country which invented the word.

  11. Faults?

    Yeah – despite the Daily Mail, occasional Paki Bashing, ignorance and cold weather – the UK is a decent society and the opportunities for desi’s are many. I feel totally British. UK desi culture is vibrant and strong. God Save The Queen.

  14. Reincarnation,

    You could always dress your avtar in a skirt or a sarong, and pretend it’s a “lungi”…..

  17. Ennis, on a scale of 1-10, how accurate is that wee fella?

    Bongsie – you’re ruining my rep, man, by asking me questions about my wee fella in public!

    As to whether the avatar resembles my true face, well … look at my photo here and decide for yourself 😉

    I’m offended they dont provide avtars with dhotis.

    No dhotis, I’m afraid, but also no characters with sweaters on their heads!

    but ennis, how to cut/save the picture (yes, the computer nonsavvy bean speaking)

    Bean – they want you to pay them to save the image. Since mine was just a demo, I did a screen capture …

  18. As to whether the avatar resembles my true face, well … look at my photo here and decide for yourself 😉

    sigh. if there were anyone else who wasn’t already painfully aware of my AWESOME MS Paint skills, they’ve now been traumatized apprised. 😉

  19. ooohh this is awesome! i know at least 30some of us on my end who will be playng with this! hey ennis – the bits we can see are quite nice. i’m gonna have to play with the proxy lungi option there! hehhehe! now, if only they could make it a bit more um..acuurate on my end.

  22. Truth – I am a three headed monster! My central face is blank, with only my name written across it, and on either side I have two smiling female visages. I thought this up when I saw the Ramayana, but I was nowhere near as pious as Ravana so this is as far as I could get!

  23. at first I thought I had a spot in my contact lens, but then I realized Ennis’ face is just a bit… soft focus.

  25. Of course – because the bits you can see are Anna and Maisnon!

    how sweet! you’re quite humble too! actually, i was looking at the what looks to be either indigo or black turban bits, that soft bit of forehead, and a few strands of bead sticking out over that sky blue buton down, and leaving the rest to the mind to calculate. anna and masinon are quite sweet though. such friendly smiles! but behind that lovely grey work of paintbrush must hide some sardar who’s far too cute. you’re prolly just one big kitten in a turban with a beard and muzzie.

    like this

  27. I know! Come on Patti, they’re not collectible 😉 Save some sardars for the rest of the ladies.

  28. i was looking at the what looks to be either indigo or black turban bits, that soft bit of forehead, and a few strands of bead sticking out over that sky blue buton down, and leaving the rest to the mind to calculate

    the turban was a verrry pretty dark blue. this picture of ennis is even cuter. 😉 well, that and the comments from people who had assumed he was mallu were mad amusing. 😀