I'm sick and tired of putting pics onto the ECN Server, that Members have posted here.
If you guys can't read I'm not going to spell it out for you.
I've had enough, find someone else to be a Moderator.
Photo-bucket and the like are oncers.
No wonder we have so many threads without pics here.

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 06-19-2006).]

Mike, I share your frustration! FWIW, I have been told by some Mods that pics could only be put in the three picture forums! Not correct!

I agree that a pic is sometimes worth placing in other areas as well. Now, if only I could figure out how to do it!

There was one brief discussion about putting pictures on photobucket et al, not an official statement!

I'm a regular poster on 4 different boards, and aside of one (that offers direct image uploading for the posters) they all advise to use photobucket or a private web space! So that's what I'm used to do and what I do.
1) Mailing the pictures to a Mod is about the same amount of work as posting them myself.
2) If I post them directly, they show up immediately
3) If I post them directly, you don't have to do anything but look at them.
4) So what???

I'm not going to say that photo upload sites like photobucket can't be used for pictures in some threads. The 'Photo Discussion' areas are meant to be 'Reference' areas, so it's important to me that photos are on ECN server.

The main concern is that pictures remain available for posterity (or a long time anyway) so that discussions continue to make sense. If it's important that something stays available we can ensure that by copying it to ECN server. Threads or posts with missing pictures may get deleted.

Member's understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

Bill

So then it would be much easier for the users if a picture upload feature would be implemented, for example a small application providing each user a few megabytes (or even kilobytes, web pictures aren't supposed to be big) for uploading pictures.
I don't really like the thought if having to send the pictures to a moderator first. Sorry, but that's it.

A personal upload space for thousands of Members isn't going to happen, both for reasons of Server space and Bandwidth it would take.

At the moment I don't see a problem with using someone's own personal web space and / or photobucket to post pictures once in awhile.

I feel I should mention that some concern should be shown to the physical size and file size of these pictures. Having to scroll or wait forever for a page to load can really annoy or turn other members off. People with big monitors and lightening fast connections may not realize it, but many don't have those luxuries.

Did I miss something?

Any member can email photos to me and I will post them. Occasionally it may be a day or two but they will get posted.

Bob

Hey I apologize if I caused a commotion by posting an image in the other thread. I didn't realize it would be such a big deal.

I post pics and other stuff all the time on my own ample webspace. Like all things in life, nothing is guaranteed to stay there, as things happen.... Over-writes, server drop etc. But if you spot any of my stuff missing, as has happened before, just let me know, I'll put them back if I can. I wouldn't want to harrass you guys to post some of the crap I put up, some of it is just conversational, pics say a thousand words sometimes......

iwire-
I haven't used you for posting pics, but thank you for helping.

Ok, then I don't have a problem at all!

@iwire: of course I never had any trouble with the mods, they promptly posted all my pictures and even asked back when there were any problems, but I have to admit I'm an impatient person. Due to the time difference Europe - USA it usually takes over night to get the pictures online and I'm too impatient to wait

I keep a lookout for images linked on other servers and will generally copy them to ECN and edit the post as appropriate if it appears to be something we would want to keep for posterity (just done that with Texas-Ranger's posts in non-U.S.). For me, I find that's actually less work than copying the photos from an e-mail, clipping out the appropriate quotes to post, and then trying to decide a topic title.

What I would ask though is to please keep the image widths down whenever possible. A lot of people are still using 800-pixel wide screen settings (myself included), and large images result in very awkward horizontal scrolling to read the text.

Where detail needs to be shown, it's better to post a reduced-size version and include a link to the larger image.

I apologize, but I'm not sure what the issue is, and especially why Trumpy is annoyed. Is the complaint that he wants to upload images to the ECN server, but instead people are simply inserting them, or is it that he hates having to do it, and wants to quit?

I remember reading a while back something about only being able to place pics in the 3 forums, and I remember wondering whether that meant it was a rule of the forum or it was a limitation of the forum software.

I also remember a mention that only moderators can, or was it may, post images, which leaves me with the same question. Again, why is the Trumpster pissed? Inquiring minds want to know?

Larry, not trying to answer for Trumpy but, the problem with pictures being uploaded from other sites is they are not permanent so to speak, see the first few pages of the "What do you look like" thread to see all the missing pictures for an example.

In many cases it may not matter, but in threads where the pictures or graphics are a major part of the conversation it is frustrating to say the least when they disappear, and I would think you can see Trumpy's reason for his ire.

I understand people not wanting to wait for their contributions to be posted and I agree with Paul in that it can be easier for us to do something with the photos from here verses e-mail.

I have also resized pictures others have posted after I have put them on the ECN server.

As Bill touched on earlier, threads that have lost their substance due to missing parts (pictures, graphics, etc...) may and should be removed.

Roger

I understand. If I wish to post an image, what's the best way? Email it? And to whom? How do we make sure an image associates with the intended post and thread?

Right now, I'm typing in a reply window. There could/should be an upload-image button for inserting a desired image.

Maybe an auto-resize function could be used. Could that be done?

Larry as I understand it the software here is not exactly new and does not have all the bells and whistles available.

You can email the pictures to the moderators by using this at the top of their posts.

Or to Photos@Electrical-Contractor.net

Include in the email where you want them placed, the title if a new thread and any info you want included.

I just cut and paste the email I receive into the post so it will be in your words.

Bob

In the instances where I've had photos to share, Bill and his moderators have always been right on top of getting them uploaded and posted to the forum.

While I can understand some people wanting to get a photo into a thread for reply before it may take on a new direction, use of hosting sites like photobucket, tinyurl, etc. are typically very reliable vs. someone using their own "paid for" hosting and bandwidth.

I have a photobucket I use just for ECN should an occasion occur. (You can sign up for as many free photobucket accounts as you like!) which keeps the bandwidth on the account from going over their ceiling for freebie accounts. This also prevents me from overwriting or deleting something I might have linked to in a thread.
This in itself all but solves the broken link /missing photo issue mentioned above.
"Hot-linking" is a common cause for missing/broken images also.

Another feature on photobucket is a photo size reducer, (photobucket will automatically reduce .jpg's and .gifs to 250kb if they are larger than that)

Bill has the ultimate say in how things happen around here, and I feel he's been and is being plenty fair.. same for the mods here. What I might suggest is if someone feels it pertinent to have a photo appear "right now", photobucket it, but also drop an email with the file or even a link to Bill or a mod so they can put it on the ECN server at their convenience. Let me know what you think.

~Randy


[This message has been edited by Lostazhell (edited 06-20-2006).]

The follies of missing pictures, also falls right into place with the many missing or moved, or subject changes of weblinks that get refferanced here in many topics. Having two/three (Wifes too) sites of my own I know the frustrations well.

Once its on the internet, does not mean it there forever, someone has to keep it there. And if it is not on a site you have control over, forget it. It's like herding cats....

Send me all the pictures you want. I like 'em

Another benefit of having the complete pictures emailed to us is that we can post enlarged details, chop, dice, filet, etc. as threads progress. When we load them from a small file on Photobucket, we can't get enough resolution to make small details clear.

If you feel you must host your own, please keep these things in mind.
We try to keep width at a standard of 550 pixels. This fits the page well.
If a single picture is posted, please keep the file size under 100KB. Multiple pictures, try to keep at 50KB or so.
(I used to lose interest in pictures that took too long to load when I had a dialup connection. It's frustrating).



[This message has been edited by electure (edited 06-20-2006).]

Thanks e57, you hit the nail on the head, and Bill does have control of this site and it's longevity.

Roger

Guys,
Just to clarify what I was looking to say.
I have no problem with you guys using a thing like PhotoBucket, just as long as that pic is still there as long as ECN is.
We've had a few problems with pics going missing and there is no one person to blame.
Guys, if you want pics posted send them to Bill or any of us Moderators, we are more than happy to post them for you.

(I would also like to apologise for that "angry face" at the top of this thread.
I'm not angry, just merely stating a point)

Hey it's freezing here in New Zealand, any time I can get inside, is a bonus!!.
Send Pics!

You guys want pic, you got 'em, I just sent a bunch....