Images in posts- DO NOT POST THUMBNAILS

[MPWR]

This is a reminder (and an explanation for some of our newer members).

When you are placing images in a post, please place the actual image in the post. Do not use clickable thumbnails or links to your images.

As a community, we decided years ago that the easiest way for members to view and enjoy images is to use the actual images. This has been and continues to be the standard practice for everyone on the AF car modeling forum.

56k users have been using this forum for years with the understanding that many threads have large images in them. No one ever complains that images are too large or that they take too long to load- however people often complain about clickable thumbnails or links. Please out of courtesy other members, place normal unlinked images in your posts.

Post this:



Do not post this:



Do not post this:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...er/GT2-107.jpg

Thank you!

[jano11]

I do understand why not to post links to pictures as you can't know in advance if the picture it's interesting for you or not.

But I can't see the problem with the thumbnails. They do load much faster (even for those of us who have very fast internet connections) and everyone can than decide based on the thumbnail if he/she wants to see the bigger picture.

The fact that something was decided YEARS AGO doesn't mean that it can't be updated or changed in order to suit also the members who read and post NOW in the forum.

Trying to oppose evolution never works.

Just my .

[Cheesey153]

If it were put to a vote I would wholeheartedly endorse the 'no thumbnails/links' policy.
I think full images within threads adds to the enjoyment of this forum because the experience is so fluid, so seamless.
Having thumbnails or links is akin to reading a magazine article and then having go to another magazine to see the photograhs.

Jon.

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by jano11

But I can't see the problem with the thumbnails. They do load much faster (even for those of us who have very fast internet connections) and everyone can than decide based on the thumbnail if he/she wants to see the bigger picture.

Are you being serious??

Do you go into threads unsure if you actually want to see images? Do you really feel you would appreciate the option of not seeing full size images?

Modeling is an inherently visual activity. Most of us come to this forum and enter threads because we want to see pics of models! If you're really different in this regard, please feel free to say so. But if you've decided to enter a thread, why would you not want to see the images- do you really get something out of making that choice again and again?

It takes more time and effort to click each freaking image and wait for it to load than it does to simply have them all load in full size.

The fact that something was decided YEARS AGO doesn't mean that it can't be updated or changed in order to suit also the members who read and post NOW in the forum.

Every community has its rules and conventions. People here expect to see images when they go into threads.

We obviously can, will, and do change the rules and/or conventions here if there is reason. But until there is reason for change, we will continue to do as we have done, because what we have done has continued to work.

I haven't seen anyone say- "hey, great site, I just wish I didn't have to look at pics of builds I want to see." Have you? Is this your experience here? Do you really see some need to change?

Trying to oppose evolution never works.

It certainly does in the US!

But we're simply trying to avoid devolution.


If you (or any other member here) have a real and strong preference to see thumbnails, please feel free to say so. If/when we ever have a strong number of people who really believe that their experiences here would be significantly improved by a change, we will discuss and consider it. Meanwhile please have the courtesy to follow the guidelines here, and provide your viewers what they expect when they view your posts.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I cannot stand thumbnail links. Full size pictures or nothing, for me. Some of the picture sites they are hosted at are a royal pain with all their ads and crap. I do not bother to open any photos from thumbnail links.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by MPWR

If you (or any other member here) have a real and strong preference to see thumbnails, please feel free to say so. If/when we ever have a strong number of people who really believe that their experiences here would be significantly improved by a change, we will discuss and consider it. Meanwhile please have the courtesy to follow the guidelines here, and provide your viewers what they expect when they view your posts.

I think I was clear enough in my first post, I do believe that thumbnails are not a bad idea and those using them shouldn't be castigated.

I also do not understand the last part of your comments, when did I not follow the guidelines?!

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by jano11

I also do not understand the last part of your comments, when did I not follow the guidelines?!

I'm not saying that you haven't- I'm asking you (and the rest of the community) to continue to do so.

[blubaja]

At least people are posting pics. I can't stand the other forums when: "here's my wip thread. No pics tho"...fking great dude. Or then, there's just links to the pics. So at least, people are smart enough here to post some kind of image. You old guys are so grumpy lol. j/k

[CFarias]

Because of a slow internet connection, there was a time when I could not enjoy this forum. This was mainly due to the large images associated with each post. This would be my argument for thumbnails.

Now that I have a hi-speed connection it is no longer an issue for me, but may still be an issue for others.

Personally, I like having the full size images. I often save and print a thread, particullarly WIP's, to have as a convenient reference when I work on my models. So, having large images that print clearly and with great detail are very helpful.

[gionc]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

I cannot stand thumbnail links. Full size pictures or nothing, for me. Some of the picture sites they are hosted at are a royal pain with all their ads and crap. I do not bother to open any photos from thumbnail links.

Almost ever it took forever to switch to 1/1 image from thumb., and often hosting sites shot crap and advertising.
I tried few times to get acces to AF with dial connection or GPRS from port. when I was on holiday: it's anyway impossible, it take forever just to load first page: sorry for who has slow connections, but I'm for 1/1 (decent) images.

[voyageur]

I strongly support the "no thumbnails / no linked pictures" philosophy!!!

This forum has been running for a number of years with 1/1 images (800x600px agreed on as a decent size). I can't remember anyone complaining about it. And BTW: when you resize your picture to 800x600px you normally have the choice of setting the quality. Set the resolution to 72dpi (optimized for screen viewing). This strongly reduces file size and thus the images will load quicker.

I worked in a number of countries with slow internet over the last years and often cursed the slow dial-up connections. But there is a solution: open the threads you want to look at in multiple tabs, walk away, make yourself a tea or coffee. Return and enjoy.

Oh, and BTW: FireFox is a loooooot quicker with loading threads / websites than the bloody Internet Explorer! Try it - once you browse with FireFox you'll never ever go back to IE!

Cheers and happy modeling!

[jano11]

Originally Posted by MPWR

I'm not saying that you haven't- I'm asking you (and the rest of the community) to continue to do so.

Thanks for clarifying that.
I had no intentions to do otherwise.

To clarify things, I do not have a 56k connection, but I had one a looong time ago and it was certainly not easy to load pages. I also do believe that considering our options from time to time isn't a bad thing if it makes life easier for other people. I also visit and post on other modeling forums where thumbnails are used and I do find it a good format and I think it works great.

I'm not going to militate for a change around here, I just wanted to let the matter open for debate instead of closing it down based on a years old decision.

Hope this cleared things a bit.

[drunken monkey]

somewhere along the line, this was missed:

Posting of full sized images is beneficial to the Thread Starter.
Most places that host images offers many different ways to use their hosting and the most common/popular allow you to use full sized images in posts here.

It doesn't take rocket science to find the correct url and doing so makes your threads more accessible.

What's the problem with making a rule about only posting full sized images in threads?

[gionc]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

What's the problem with making a rule about only posting full sized images in threads?

Also cos we wanna see Andy and DrunkenM finally build something, not only warn "plizzz don't post thumbnails" in any newbee's new thread

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by gionc

Also cos we wanna see Andy and DrunkenM finally build something, not only warn "plizzz don't post thumbnails" in any newbee's new thread

Happy now?