Types of Icons & Definitions

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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 How to Identify Them

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 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 (where they are found)	PURPOSE: 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
Misfits	Various / None	Various or None	Non-Standard Icons
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

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HOW TO Pages for Creating Windows Icons:

How To Make Icons
How to Make an Icon from a JPG >>
How to Make an icon from GIF >>
Edit an Icon | Page 2 Edit an Icon
Advanced Icon Editing | Page 2 Advanced Icon Editing
Windows XP Icon Sizes
Color Depths for Windows XP Icons
Convert your GIF to JPG
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Basic Windows Display Properties Easy Steps:
Change System Icons Windows XP
Change Icon Size
Change Icon Font
Change Icon Spacing
Make XP Icon Labels Transparent

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Essential Downloads:
Latest Version Microangelo Studio for Creating & Editing Icons
Free Windows Desktop Icons Collection Gallery

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User Submitted Questions to Some Common Windows Icon Problems:
Change an Icon Text Name | Vista Web Site Shortcut Icon Not Working | Icons Won't Stay in the Same Location After I Restart | How to Hide All Desktop Icons | How to Hide an Icon | Show Hidden Icon Files & Folders | My Desktop Icons Are Missing | All Icons Appear Sideways |

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