How do I create an Avitar, use emoticons?

[doubting_Thomas]

In plain english, can you explain how do I get a picture to appear under my name in the left hand column of my posts?

Also, I hope you won't mind if I test my understanding of how to use emoticons. I think I just type the javascript I see at the bottom when I move my cursor over the icons on the left in this screen, correct? If some other means, please explain.

Here goes my test:

':blink:'

[otseng]

To change your avatar, go here.

To use an emoticon, just click on one of the faces on the left when you are composing a post. It should then automatically insert the correct code into your post.