just pass the URL as a parameter to get_avatar() in your theme

I had originally done it this way in comments.php, however, these days the “preferred” method of changing/customizing themes is by use of a child theme (this way there are no problems for theme updates).

Therefore, your method of using functions.php is a far better solution IMO.

but in the end they did nothing, as it doesn’t appear at all in WordPress 2.7 beta.

Correct. Having nothing there is better than a confusing option for the novice user. Advanced users can easily use the API.

Or even easier, just pass the URL as a parameter to get_avatar() in your theme.

It was decided that it’d be better if an upload form or whatever was there instead

but in the end they did nothing, as it doesn’t appear at all in WordPress 2.7 beta.

I have already used the code you provided above and it works perfectly, I just couldn’t understand why they hadn’t used your original patch or an amended version of it.

does this mean that your idea with an input box to enter a URL for the theme gravatar wasn’t accepted, as I can’t even see it on WordPress 2.7 beta?

Correct. It was decided that it’d be better if an upload form or whatever was there instead of just an input field. Better for the novice user.

However you can just set $myavatar in my above code to that URL and problem solved.