Is background image on profile distracting?

Question

I'm not keen on the jazzy background image on this profile as I find it very distracting. Any thoughts?

Comments

Yes Natalie it is - it has the red privacy icon - how do I change that?

The FAQ says this - You cannot customize the privacy level of a photo. Access to images is dependent on the Privacy Level of the profiles on which they appear and whether you are on the Trusted Lists of those profiles. Here are more details. See the Photos FAQ for more general information about images on WikiTree.

Just because my profile is at yellow level - private with public bio and public tree, I cannot use a background image. I think the privacy of BG inages should be flexible!!

So do I have to change my profile to green public for anyone to see my background?  Or maybe I can upload it to my dads profile - he's open - then I can use it on mine...

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I use an open free space page for such things in order to avoid this. You could try it on your dad's and see how it goes.

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My profile is yellow-locked.  I keep the background image on a FSP, which is open.  My background can be seen.

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I just realized that people may not be able to see the background image on MY profile! I had assumed everyone could see it.

So if I put the background on a Free Space Page, then it could be seen on mine? I think I used it on another profile that is open. Can anyone see my background?

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Yes, it's dark blue.

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Thank you Ross. Actually, you should be able to see bits of Catalina Island too. But mostly ocean. I wish I could do little repeating islands. I checked, and I also used the image on a Catalina Free Space. Maybe that is why it is visible on my profile.

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OK I have added my BG image to my fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers profiles - can you please check and tell me if you see them?

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Thompson-31032

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Thompson-31033

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Burrow-389

Thank you.

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Yes, I can see all three - pale peach.

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Thank you Ros!!

So I may need to move my BG image to a Free Space page to get it active on my own profile.

I have been using this BG for years. I find it soothing - and it just so happens to match the wikitree colour scheme so it still looks good on wikitree!!

Thanks again.

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These backgrounds are totally amazing, enticing, and the subtle background finishes up these profiles without distractions. Very nice.

Answer 1

I'm not a fan either. I have added backgrounds to profiles I created, then ditched them. Most of the ones I have now are simple, light colors with not a lot of busy background. I think it's personal preference though.

I played with the one I add to my own family for military members and settled on the one in this profile, which some may still find too busy:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Schrader-499

Comments

No, I think that one's perfectly fine. 

Answer 2

That one is particularly distracting / annoying. I don't use them, but I could see some more subtle backgrounds being OK but not ones that pull the eye to the sides.

Answer 3

I find them all distracting. I usually hop straight over any profile that has them, but if it is something I really need to read I actually have to hold up blank paper at the sides of the screen so as not to feel strange when I try to focus.

Comments

I agree, for the most part, but I think the one on my dad's profile helps the actual profile stand out. I find I'm adding this gray to more profiles in my family.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Durbin-703

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Now that is a great seamless image Natalie. Very nice too!!

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Thanks.

Answer 4

I agree, it’s distracting.

On the other hand, I find most background images distracting, taking away from the intent of effectively conveying information on the profile.

Answer 5

I don't mind background images usually but this one is really "loud".

I don't understand why it was thought appropriate for the profile either (in contrast with Natalie's use of a flag image on military members, which has a meaning).

Answer 6

I didn't get a chance to see this one. It's been changed, so I won't speak to it particularly.

In general I think they dress up a profile, giving them a finished look. I find  stickers and project boxes much more distracting.

For those of you distracted. It's really easy to make your browser window size smaller so that only the center part of a profile shows