Avatars are fun.
Either link to another online site where've you stashed you picture. Or directly upload a photo from your own computer.
You are allowed an image of 100 X 150 pixels .. but do not worry as if your image is too large it will be automatically resized.
Notifications ... very useful. It will become your friend.
At the top right of the page you will see .. Notifications.
This does what it says. It will list any topics that you are Watching which have received a new reply .. including a pop-up box if you are online.
To enjoy most benefit of this feature go into your user setting and click on the Notifications tab. Here you can select what events you would like to be notified of. A new Private Message. A new Post. A new visitor message written on your profile page.
Note: if you find you are receiving unwanted e-mails this is the place to adjust your settings to prevent them.