Creating and sharing a cartoon version of yourself has never been easier. All you need to do is download the 100% free software, select your facial features, and upload as a photo on your Facebook, MySpace, Windows Live Messenger profile picture.

WHAT’S AN AVATAR:

There are a few interpretation of the term “Avatar”. For example, there's the James Cameron-directed movie "Avatar" and a popular animated TV show "Avatar: The Last Airbender." But more commonly used, an avatar is a computer user's representation of himself/herself or alter ego whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games, or a two-dimensional icon on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other social networks. It is an object representing the user. You can create an avatar that resembles your real life or create an alternate identity. The only limit is your imagination. Who do you want to be?

Avatar and Instant-messaging programs

AOL invented instant messaging for its membership in 1996 and introduced a limited number of "buddy icons," picking up on the avatar idea from PC games. When AOL later introduced the free version of its messenger, AIM, for use by anyone on the Internet, the number of icons offered grew to be more than 1,000 and the use of them grew exponentially, becoming a hallmark feature of instant messaging. In 2002, AOL introduced "Super Buddies," 3D animated icons that talked to users as they typed messages and read messages.

Yahoo's instant messenger then first to adopt the term "avatar" for its icons. However, AIM, Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger provides only a limited number and style of avatars.