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Definition of an Icon


Definition of an Icon
 Icon: A graphical symbol that suggests the purpose of an available function on a computer. Icons are also used to enhance or accessorize computer-mediated communication in order to indicate a user's identity, emotion, or voice inflection. - AlienEntity

Types of Icons and Where They Are Found

Various types of icons can be found in the following environments & applications: (1) as a part of an Operating System's desktop environment like Windows XP, Macintosh, or Linux KDE, (2) as a part of a specific computer application (within software toolbars) like Microsoft Word, and (3) within Internet websites or other online applications to include the following: website interfaces, forums, blogs, bulletin boards, and Internet chat applications like AOL Instant Messenger.

Generally icons found on AlienEntity can be broken down into the following seven (7) Types of Icons: desktop icons, application icons, messenger icons, emoticons, avatars, website icons, and Rogue Icons/Misfits. The table below outlines the seven types found on this site with examples of which environment they might be found and what purpose they have. Click on the links in the Icon Type Column to jump ahead.

Table Showing Types of Icons

Icon Type
CLICK LINKS BELOW
 Environment What Does it Convey ? Other names
Application Icons Software like MS Word, Photoshop, Internet Explorer, Excel Purpose of a function Software Icons, Interface Icons for Applications, Toolbar icons.
Avatars Web Forums and some Bulletin Boards. Mainly Identity Message Board Icons, Forum Icons
Desktop Icons OS Desktop - Windows, Macintosh, Linux KDE/Gnome Purpose of a function Computer Icons
Emoticons Chat Software - AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Chat programs Emotion and/or
Voice Inflection		 Emots, Emotion Icons, Smiley Icons
Messenger Icons Chat Software - AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger Mainly Identity AIM Buddy Icons, Buddy Icons, MSN Icons
Rogue Icons / Misfits Various / None Various or None Non-Standard Icons
WTF Icon
Website Icons Internet (website) - Interface, navigation Purpose of a function Web Interface Icons, Clipart Icons, Web Buttons

In certain cases you will find a mix of icon types within one environment. For example a Messenger application like AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) may use several icon types within the application. Some of these icons are under the user's control while others are built-in and cannot be changed. Also you may find some custom stand-alone icons that convey more than one purpose. For example people have used Avatars or Messenger Icons to convey emotion but they are primarily used for identity.

Arguably some of these categories could be merged into the icon type "application icons" like Website Icons, but for the purposes of making some distinctions about the icons themselves I think it's best to keep them separate here.


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