I like it, except the ones for people without avatars. Maybe use the old ones for people who don't have an avatar?
This feature has little utility and looks ugly. Instead of avatars, why not use colored images for different sections, so users can easily spot which threads are in which section? e.g. A green button for threads in "general chat", a blue button for threads in "general business" etc.
So I keep making the icon smaller... it started at 40px, then I bumped it down to 36px... now I just knocked it down again to 34px and also gave it more spacing to the left and right. Seems a little better... but still open to other ideas.
I dunno, still doesn't look good to me. Probably because I ain't accustomed seeing different colors when browsing through posts and forums in different areas. Marketing noobs might use this opportunity to spam some areas (i.e. General Chat) with lots of threads that would obviously show their avatars with services on it.
Its distracting and it will ultimately draw visiting users away.... I found myself clicking on icons rather then truly clicking on interesting threads. It will probable generate more spam then anything positive. If it was me and I had no choice but to implement this feature, I would make it a mouseover effect, to reveal the thread starters avatar, either on the actual icon or thread title.
I actually like the part where my mini-mini avatar is shown as a pip over the thread avatar in ones that I have posted. Took me a min to realize it was mine on top, but that is kind of cool.
The idea is pretty cool but I agree with ApocalypseXL it's to much change or make it optional so one can decide if he want's the feature or not.
Can you maybe change the color of the shadow of the sticky threads? It's pretty cruel to use the red in the green style. I know it is supposed to stick out but maybe a dark green or something equal will have the same effect.