I should also take a moment to thank those responsible because I definitely made plenty of controversy (and torqued the Army of Kefka off) agitating for some sort of change. The "hide avatars" option is the form that change took, and so I need to show my appreciation.
So, thank you very much, I am very grateful, etc. Teh site really is a stellar one. I apologize this personal thank you has been so long coming.