Image attachments instead of embedding?

Tech · 28th July 2007, 12:10

Hey all

Heres what I'm thinking of doing:

Current image posting means you need to host your images elsewhere, then link to them in your post, which can be ok if you know how to do it, but can leave a horrible mess if the hosting service close's down, or a member simply removes images from their account leaving our threads a mess with images missing too...

So, I am proposing to change the forum posting setup to allow all members (Bronze and above) to attach images directly to their post which will store them on our server, so you can upload your image directly to the post where you want it to be.

I'm not sure if there is much demand for it so wanted to ask, plus of course this idea would put a much bigger strain on the HHPlace server's bandwidth usage and disk space so I wanted to "Throw the idea out there" to get members feedback.

The advantages to this of course are that pages here will load faster as images dont need to be loaded from other servers, images will not be lost and screw up the forums when the image hosting goes bust.

Post your vote, and leave a message to let me know what you think...

Marcus · 28th July 2007, 12:44

That's what I needed for! I don't want to register to another website to post my personal pics.

Elegant · 28th July 2007, 13:26

Although there's the disk space and bandwidth issue, it'd be an useful feature- especially for the pics that should remain here for a little bit longer. I'd still upload photos to an external servers and embed them, though.

admirer5577 · 28th July 2007, 18:33

This is a good idea if you ask me. It is always more hazzle to upload them elsewhere and then find the correct link to make it work the way you want it to.
My guess is that this is a too big threashold for a lot of people so if you will let us post images directly here you can expect more pics than there is today.

Nigel · 29th July 2007, 07:36

In light of what is going on in other threads, I am starting to think that only pictures that are hosted on our server should be posted. that would keep things very tidy and complete.

its a great idea.

at9 · 29th July 2007, 11:20

If you've got the space and bandwidth then yes. Much easier than hosting elsewhere and linking. Should still allow links to external pictures otherwise we can't show pics from catalogues etc.

Dr. Shoe · 29th July 2007, 12:49

Yep I like the idea of attachments.

Bubba136 · 30th July 2007, 14:36

If this change is similar to the system that we used to have a couple of years ago, didn't Jeff have a lot of problems with people posting spam and inappropriate pictures to the site? and, if I remember correctly, pictures did cause a bandwidth problem, didn't it?

I, for one, found it much easier to post pictures under the old system that it is to post them today.

Thighboots2 · 30th July 2007, 16:08

Richie,

I say yes to your proposal with the suggestion that images are limited to 640x480 x 72dpi so they are quick to upload and small to store. If the poster wants to show larger, then they should host on their on resource.

TB2

kneehighs · 30th July 2007, 16:36

I think this is a great idea, provided that hhplace's server can withstand the additional strain on it's bandwith over the long term. As well, if there are additional costs involved, how if at all, will those costs be passed on to the hhplace user?

The admins at The Fashion Spot employ this same system, which makes pictures hosted at The Fashion Spot's server invisible to viewers, unless they are registered and logged in. Would this new system have the same effect?