First of all I LOVE the idea of ActiveRain profile pictures in the comments.
I've said it before, "We are all visual in nature". We connect things visually. Having your picture in my comment stream for me is great. I can "see" who is connecting with me. Good stuff.
I also like the recognition factor. Nothing is cooler than walking into a Tweetup and not having to introduce yourself or instantly recognize someone just from there avatar. I did that ealier this month when I bumped into Randy Prothero in San Francisco. No need for introductions.... It was straight to "Hi Randy!"
I do think the size of the avatar images is a little too big. Currently they are 35 x 35 pixels.
Now about these badges...
They are overlayed over the profile image of the person who has left the comment.
Between the large size of the Avatars and the added graphic badges, I am distracted while dropping down the comment stream.
Instead, I proposed changing the size of the Avatar smaller and moving the badges to the end of the comment signature line.
A typical comment would then look something like this:
That's my two cents. Do I get a badge for being critical of an already good thing? I hope not.
If so, I already designed it for you: 
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I like this post . I will one day walk into a tweet up once I know what it is
What is that last one that you show in your example of Lane Bailey's comment? I havent seen it before
Mike- You can pat me on the back anytime! I am not ashamed at all to say that I love to be recognized for my efforts and appreciated for my contributions:)
Yikes..So ,many trinkets...love the pictures...badges....don't care....
I too was wondering what a tweetup is?! That's what I get for being out of the loop having a child. Now that my daughter is 9 months old, I am trying to get back into it. The size of the avatar does not bother me too much. But it does make the comment stream (and scrolling down it) a lot longer.
Not a bad idea - it was easier to understand with the picture!
:)
Mike: Okay...this is cool. I've been a very bad 'Rainer and not posted in forever...maybe I'll reconsider this. Now to find some blog-food...BTW I agree the avatar s/b smaller.
I think it is cute and gives us recognition for our efforts here in The Rain!
Mike... I think you're right. While I'm enjoying them at the moment.. I'm sure they'll become distracting eventually. And the graphic designer in my doesn't love the assymetry of mine, with only one mini-badge.
I don't mind the large overwritten Rainmaker badge on my profile page... but I agree that your suggestion would clean things up, and still allow everyone too see/know what your AR support level is, without distracting. Honestly, I find the photos a bit distracting, too... they could be a touch smaller, and I imagine that eventually they'll slow the system down.
Just trying to see my badge after posting this comment . .
Mike - Excellent idea! Everyone can make the Treasure of Sierra Madre jokes about badges but I won't. I am a visual person and love this idea. Glad to see A/R instituted it. Very cool and thanks for submitting this idea. Best of luck!
Reading lots of blogs about the badges since I logged on earlier and saw all the new stuff. Wasn't that way when I went to bed and for a minute I thought I was having one of those Active Rain dreams that I, as an addict have from time to time. LOL
Mike,. I'm not a fan of the badges but if we must have them Ilike yours better. A little less in your face.
Bryant - I agree. I like the recognition that the badges creates, but I don't think we should recongize PAYING members just because AR gets their $$. We should recognize contributing, community building members. Maybe 10 featured posts, or something of that nature.
Mike - great ideas as always. Keep them coming. You make this place much better and you are in the handful of blogs that I come back to all the time. can't miss-em.
I am pushing to get the badges pushed down to the signature line, but on the left of the signature. Set them off from the picture a little.
We have a wrestling match scheduled for 8pm here at the office where it will be a battle royal with the winner getting to pick where they ultimately fall. A-Rod is meeting me here at 7 for a rub down with some HGH so I think we should be good. My finishing move will of course be the Macho Man Elbow off the top rope followed by the Hulk Hogan Leg Drop.
I actually like the size. It makes it easy to scan down and find where I commented so that I can see if I need to comment again.
Hey... where'd my hot rod go?
Hi Mike, I saw your comment about this on the other post about "badges" and I think it's an excellent idea. It works / looks much better in that position. To me it seems way too cluttered by the photos. Like a few have commented, I'm not that keen on the idea of recognition for what people are spending - as opposed to what people have earned - but so be it.
Liz
Elizabeth,
We are currently kicking around about 8-10 different badge ideas that can all be earned instead of bought. I would imagine you will see them being incorporated in the very near future.
Can you possibly beat the move by the Hulk?
@Steve,
haha, I hope not. I think once I land the leg drop it will all be over.
(off to cut some holes in the back of my shirt so I can rip it off when the match starts)
I like the idea of smaller avatars. I noticed that so many people have their little photo in their comments. How do I get one?
OK, when Bob started talking about badges you could earn without paying, my mind went to, "Are we in the boy/girl scouts again?" LOL Couldn't help it! But I think it's fair and a great idea. Anyone can spend $$ but the people who have built this community have spent a lot of their time and talents and accolades are in order for sure. And you're one of those, Mike :)
I like your idea Mike, as this could turn into a Badge collecting/earning war LOL. We already know how crazy we can go for points - what about for badges!!!! Yikes - watch out. ~Rita
Okay, this is to easy I can't believe no one's posted it yet,
"Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!"
Name the movie:)
Drew
Mike,
I think any recognition is good. I will leave the aesthetics to someone else. AJ
I think you're onto something. They do look kinda bulky. I like the little badges created by others. We have a lot of creativity around here. =)
Mike, if we must have badges, then I like your suggestion better than anything else I've seen proposed. You think they will listen? ;-)
It was great meeting you in person at the TweetUp. I didn't even know what a tweetUp was until recently.
Mike, I agree with you on the new idea... I like it! Hopefully they will take into consideration.
What about for those whose vision is starting to run the other way? The bigger pictures make it easier to actually see who is being portrayed, I think. But I do think the idea of moving all the tags to the end is a good idea!
Kathy
Mike - I suppose with this morning's changes to comments you'll have to rethink your solution.
Sheesh... I think AR must be going through a major hormonal imbalance. Does the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" mean anything?
Mike, I do think the badges could be a little overwhelming, especially if they are coming up with several more that can be earned and do not have to be purchased. The rainmaker badge on the profile picture is definately obtrusive.
Looks like a good idea to me Mike! Maybe they will take your advice.