ok here are the instructions for uploading avatars:
When you enter the forum click on the profile at the top of the page. This opens up your personal profile. At the bottom of the page you will see a section called Avatar control panel. (see below)
From here you can upload a picture (avatar) from your computer by clicking browse and following the on screen instructions. But it must not exceed the file size and width and height mentioned above.
If you have an online photoalbum e.g. photobucket you can upload a picture and resize it atomatically to Avatar size. From here all you need to do is enter the url text into the box in the avatar control panel, where it says upload avatar from url. From the photobucket screen just copy and paste the url of the picture and hey prestoe, you have your avatar on the forum.
Hope this helps you all, any problems just post here and will help you further.