Identity and avatars

Participants can use a name and required email, sign in through an enabled identity provider, or choose Post anonymously.

Guests

Named guests must provide an email. The email is never displayed and is not sent to Gravatar. “Remember me” stores the guest identity locally in that browser; otherwise it lasts for the current session.

Anonymous posting

Gabden issues a safe two-word identity such as Sunny Koala. Anonymous users do not provide an email. The server signs the identity so browsers cannot claim a social provider.

Generated artwork

When no provider image exists, the browser creates deterministic generative artwork from the normalized lowercase username. It uses gradients, geometric shapes, waves, zigzags, texture, and subtle SVG noise.

• Nothing is uploaded or stored.
• Capitalization does not change the artwork.
• No avatar service is contacted.
• Broken provider images fall back automatically.

Google and GitHub images are used only after explicit provider authentication. Gabden accepts avatar URLs only from the approved provider image hosts.

Remembered identity

Selecting “Remember me” uses local storage. Without it, Gabden uses session storage. Choosing Change removes the active identity choice and restores the identity options.