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Large image posting

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:54 pm
by fusername
I thought I posted this already, but couldn't find the topic. but while I am requesting features, here is a good one

I fully approve of limiting the image size to avoid side scrolling. 800 is a touch small but I am not complaining. however is it possible to have the board scale images that are linked from OUTSIDE hosting sites, so say I link to a 1028x999 image (its a metric camera), the board will display it as a 800x600 or whatever. ? I have seen some links online saying phpbb seems to support this, but this is outside my real understanding.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:06 am
by fusername
just gonna bump this up again. The reason I ask for this feature is that I have to resize all my photobucket pics to real small versions to post here, and if I wanna link an outisde image I need to download it and shrink it on my pc then upload it somewhere. I am way too lazy for all that! :lol:

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:59 am
by doc
If you post larger than 800px wide, the image will display as a link. You can still link pics form another site the way you used to.

To do what you request would mean installing more third party software (a program that will manipulate the pics) which further complicates the admin end of the business. But I'll look into it.

doc

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:46 am
by fusername
I was not aware of the linkfeature, last time I tried it just yelled at me, but I haven't been as frequent on here as I would like so maybe i missed the upgrade.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:00 am
by T-34
doc wrote:If you post larger than 800px wide, the image will display as a link. You can still link pics form another site the way you used to.

To do what you request would mean installing more third party software (a program that will manipulate the pics) which further complicates the admin end of the business. But I'll look into it.

doc

Nope if you include images in a post that are larger than 800px wide you get an error - "Your images may only be up to 800 pixels wide." and you cannot save the post.

I concur with fusername. This issue is massively frustrating. 800px images went out in 1996. Even my 2 yr olds fisher price camera takes bigger images than this.

If your reasoning for limiting the image size is to stop the width of the forum being pushed wide when large format images are shown then you simply need to modify your phpbb template and add width="800" to the image tags within the code. It's pretty easy basic stuff to do and should easily be doable by a web admin with a spare 5 minutes to hand (and this includes consuming the obligatory cup of coffee). This is a standard html attribute. It's childs play. Alternatively there are phpbb mods out there to add better image handling and management for you without having to think. Google for it and the top result with help you fix it.

Either way it's pretty damn frustrating to have spent the past 45 minutes creating a post that I now cannot post due to this silly restriction. Last time this happened I simply deleted all of my images from the post which is a kinda low value solution as no one really gets the benefit of my finely crafted response.

As I had forgotten about this damn stupid limitation and have now fallen foul of it again by creating a post using images that are not in line with 1996 web standards. I'm very tempted to simply not come back to STF as its just wasted another 45 minutes of my life that I will not get back.

Fix this issue + Sack the person who thought that limiting image size would be a good idea. In their parting letter please let them know that "any solution that introduces another issue is no solution at all" and recommend that they do not take this approach to modifying and maintaining their VW's.

[/rant]

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:17 am
by T-34
Another bump :twisted: :roll:

In reply to fusername. I refuse to rescale my images (again). They are already scaled and uploaded to other web services. Having to download them, rescale them again and the upload them to another web service just so that I can post them here is ridiculous. It's no wonder STF has dropped off in popularity. It used to hugely busy when I used to come here in the 00's it almost seems dead in comparison now. I'm guessing that issues like this are simply driving people away.

The solution I posted above will display any image as at 800px wide no matter what the source image size is.

To the admins - PM me to let me know when the issue has been fixed so that i can post my reply as I have saved my post as a draft.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:23 am
by Piledriver
Linking doesn't even work anymore.

It's broken.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 9:50 am
by doc
Ok, I get it. I will see if I can manage a fix.

But, here's the facts. I can't do it. I'm an old dog with virtually no IT experience or skills. I have depended on a couple of people to do the tech stuff. They don't get paid. What may be a five minute job for some, is an giant mountain for me.

STF needs a lot of work. Perhaps there is someone else who might assist us? Suggestions?

doc

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 12:34 pm
by fusername
for minor add-ons like this, not regualar maintance, I bet a global post or notification or whatever you call those threads up top that show on all the sub-forums calling for a volunteer to implement it would find someone on here w/ a bit more spare time than your free IT folks. I know its not quite that simple and you would need to make sure they have a REAL background in this stuff and are not just willing to "give it a shot" and possibly abandon it broken, but I know there are atleast a few of us who are IT professionals and might like to help out.

alternately let the public 'bid' for new features, donate money specifically to bribe someone (either your real IT guy or a regular) and put in minor new features. a handfull of people kick in a few bucks for a specific add-on you know it is actually desired and not a fleeting fancy, and someone can go hit hte package store before re-configureing STF or making long-overdue updates.

always looking to make this place better, not make you a headache. I think its about time i contributed a lil more $$ for tuition here.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:06 am
by doc
really this is a matter of finding the appropriate volunteer. For someone who knows how to do this, it is a reasonably straightforward process. It will require many hours of even a knowledgeable individuals time on the front end. After the initial go-through, much less time is required.

I am now out searching for STFers who might be armtwisted into helping. If someone knows someone with the skills and requisite giant heart, I would appreciate a pm. I will then contact that individual personally and make the request for help. Pms only, please.

STF is not broke. We have a little money in the bank. Not enough to pay a professional service, I'm afraid, but enough so we can buy the cold drinks, at least. If someone requires some level of compensation, we may be able to accommodate.

Please spread the word (discreetly) to the right folks and see if we can surface a few candidates. Both the membership and I will appreciate any assistance.

doc

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:07 pm
by fusername
I know leatherneck isn't a mod anymore but I bet he could convince someone to do the heavy lifting. Alternatly we could just threaten the talented folk w/ telling Herbie where they live and that they wanted him to drop by any time, day or night.

...I have nothing usefull to add anymore.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:32 pm
by Piledriver
Checking for size of external links is a ~new issue, some unintended change.

It used to display pics below a certain size, now it just chokes.

I wish I had a clue on the BBS software, I'd happily fix it.

I have fixed many things, but that's not one of them.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 9:54 am
by doc
We're on it, boys. Just stay tuned.

FWIW, virtually none of these issues is nearly as simple as this conversation suggests. What we are doing now is adding additional software to run things. These additions to the base software add enormous complications to the ongoing maintenance of the site. I have studiously avoided doing this for many years. Just as a comparison, STF is currently running several updates behind the current phpbb version 3 software. TOS is running on years-old Version 2 software. Because of the customization of software over time on TOS, the owner can't practically change to the upgraded version without an enormous and expensive changeover, likely to include substantial downtime.

My point is that what seems simple, sometimes isn't. While I resent a member with 32 posts taking potshots at the site, the facts are he is correct. It is probably time to bring STF into the modern era.
We're working on it.

I remain interested in members that can potentially help on the tech side and I am desperate to find some new moderators who are willing to do some work. Suggestions and arm twisting will be appreciated.

Please PM suggestions, names, etc.

doc

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:52 am
by T-34
Hey Doc. I apologise if my earlier comments came across a bit harsh. I spend my days immersed in writing code for websites and web apps and got a little frustrated when it wouldn't let me post due to the image size. Guess I let the frustrations of my work spill over into my R&R time. Sorry about that.

For what it's worth, that best advice I can give is to look at updating / migrating to the latest phpBB version and then if possible keep the installation stock. Modifications are great, but eventually what you are now facing happens to all modified sites. Once things get a bit behind it becomes even more impossible to update. Been quite a few years since I played with phpBB but from recollection it is one of these codebases that does not have a plugin architecture, all mods are pretty much hacks to the core code which can be an absolute nightmare when it comes to upgrading as they generally have to be manually re-entered with every update - assuming that they have been updated and tested to work that is.

Good luck with the update.

Re: Large image posting

Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 8:37 am
by Stripped66
doc wrote:We're on it, boys. Just stay tuned.
Any update?