Posting Pictures

Post by **tex** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 6:30 am

The option of posting pictures stored on remote servers, through the use of HTML code, is one of the reasons that I turned on the HTML option. Be aware though, that posting images really slows down the loading time for a thread, for those of us on a dialup connection.

I don't have any idea how many of us are using a dialup connection, but for some of us, a high speed connection is only a dream. For example, unless something drastic happens with the technology involved, I will never have a high speed option, since I live out in the boondocks, as far as the cable and phone companies are concerned.

You can minimize the slowdown, by properly sizing the images for web viewing, before posting them on the remote server. Besides reducing the image down to a resonable physical size, (height and width dimensions), reducing resolutiion is very important. Definitely don't post any images with 300 or 150 pixel per inch resolution, as most monitors are not capable of displaying more than about 72 pixels per inch, (ppi). You can normally take the resoution down to a fourth or an eigth of that number, (IOW down to 18 or 9 ppi), and still get a satisfactory image.

Limiting the image file size to say, 20 to 40 K, will usually provide a very nice looking image, without causing loading to slow down to a snail's pace for those of us on dialup connections.

I may be sticking my neck out here, but I'm guessing that Trent and Christine would be willing to host images for anyone who wants to post them, and can tell you exactly what you need to do to accomplish that, and post them to this board. Posting the images basically involves the use of a simple HTML statment, that links to the server where the image is stored. Maybe they could describe how to do that in the information forum on Avatars. I'll change the name of that forum to include the posting of images.

I would be more than happy to host those images on my site, but the security that we are using to completely hide this board, prevents me from being able to open it to hosting images. After we go public, storing images will be an option. If you are unable to find image hosting on a remote server, I believe that I could set up a way to do that within the confines of this board, but I would rather not do that except as a last resort, since the security makes it a little tricky, and I would rather that the images be stored away from the board itself, in order to keep backup times and file sizes from going through the roof. Also, I don't want to take a chance on compromising security, by allowing a hacker to figure out a way to access the board by finding a loophole in that feature.

Properly done, though, images add a lot to the enjoyment of using a board like this, and I certainly have nothing against them. I love pictures, (I've been a photographer, all my life).

Love,
Tex

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:00 am

the link I gave for photobucket resizes the pictures for you.... and it is free:)

I uploaded very high resolution pictues that would have printed at something like 18 inches wide...LOL They resize them for internet posting...
http://www.photobucket.com
grannyh

TendrTummy · Post by **TendrTummy** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:07 am

sticking your neck out, don't WORRY ABOUT IT!!! lol Of course we'd be happy to host pictures.. and in fact, anyone who wants to MAIL us pics (snail mail or email), we'll adjust and finagle 'em until they are a more fitting format as far as size and pixel resolution is concerned.. also, note the TYPE of file matters too! Bitmaps (*.BMP) are a lot larger than *.GIF or *.JPG files..

Anyway, let us know if we can be of any help!!!

Christine

mle_ii · Post by **mle_ii** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:12 am

Another comment on this subject. I don't know about this software, but most bb software allows the user to be able to turn off images. I don't think that I saw it in the profile options so it's probably an add on modification.

Post by **tex** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:58 am

Mike,

The option to disable HTML is definitely available to you in your profile. Be sure to deselect the main one, and not just the one that refers to your signature line.

The point is, most of us like to see the pix, whether we have a hi-speed connection or not. You can definitely cut them out, though, if you choose to do so.

Look at your profile carefully. There are a lot of options available there. Be aware of what you can do. You can even change your username, if you really want to, but to do that you will have to ask me to "turn on" that feature, since it is generally a good idea to not allow members to arbritrartily change usernames, due to the confusion that it can create, (especially by someone with their own agenda).

If someone in this group wants to change their username, though, I don't have a problem with that, all they have to do is ask. I just keep the option turned off, so that I won't forget about it in the future, when we are open to the public.

Tex

Post by **tex** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:08 pm

Grannyh,

Thanks for that link. They seem to do good work. The files you posted were a little over 100KB each, at 72 ppi. A bit large, but tolerable, as they say. LOL. The better the camera, of course, the bigger the files will be.

Thanks for trying out that feature. I hadn't had a chance to try it yet.

Tex