Which program do I use to make animated avatars, like so many people have?

You can do it in Photoshop (I've been told to go to Adobe ImageReady, it supposedly does all the work and you only have to tweak the timings,) and an even easier way--if you just want a simple blink is to use the free icon animator and change your dimensions...

I'm sure there are other ways, but 'till I learn Flash--this is the best I can offer.

I took the icon animator suggestion. How can I find that in an upload-able format?

I don't know what that means...sorry. :)

Hmmmmmmm, okay.
In english, then: How can I get the iconator in a way that I can find it when I try to choose a new avatar?

Now, for an assortment of emoticons:
:gem: lol! :neenjah:

Okay, hopefully this will help...If you use the iconator---

Go here: http://animator.iconator.com/animator.php

Upload your images from your computer:

Press Upload.

Then choose your options:

Number of times to loop; Delay between frames; Animation file size;Animation dimensions; (if the option of the dimensions you want isn't availabe you can REBUILD the animation to your specs--be warned--it is only for banners and the like...nothing too big, it squashes it if you try...) So, pick your banner size, then rebuild.

You will see your animation blinking next to two options: One is download Icon...Save it to your computer and your done...Then to replace it, just do what you did to get I am Cow, Here me moo on your profile.

(Does this answer your questions, I am still pretty new at this myself.)

0111 01 1101 011 001011 01001 10 01?

What is your new avatar going to be?

Oh, that? Just showing off my computer-talk skills. Because if I don't, I feel left out.

Thanks, maritalbliss. As you can see, your advice helped. And Cthulhu, your question has been answered.

YAY! I'm glad it finally worked for you.

Cooooool!