When I first joined, my avatar was too big to upload so I used Gravatar. The Gravatar function does not work in the latest replies box on the index page so any posts I made would'nt display my avatar :(
I don't think it matters whether you have an avatar or not, Se7en, you should still show up on there if you've made replies to topics at all. Even people who don't have avatars show up on there, so I honestly don't think that has anything to do with it to be honest.
It does show the post, but you don't know who made it, unless you click on the avatar to go to the users profile or click on the link to go to the post itself. The avatar gives it the more personal touch to show that you made it ;)
Comments on Profile Post by SpacewardAsh