Please read BEFORE posting images!

[Glaswegian]

In many sections of the forum, users post links to images, whether they are technical errors, screenshots or just plain funny. This is, of course, part and parcel of forum life. However, consider carefully this: when linking to an image on another site, do you really know that the image you are trying to post is the one you have actually seen? It’s not uncommon for sites to replace an image if they don’t like their images being directly linked. Of course, the poster has no control over the image that may be substituted – and that can cause problems.

TSF is a family friendly site – and we are proud of the fact that we openly welcome users of all ages and experience levels. Posting images by linking to another site can therefore cause you to post something inappropriate. How can you avoid such a situation?

Consider using one of the many image hosting sites that exists. Two of best known are Photobucket and Imageshack – there are, of course, others. You simply sign up to the site and create an account. You are then able to upload images to that site. This has many uses, including saving those treasured family snaps!

How does this help, I hear you ask. Well, suppose you have found what you think is an hilarious picture and you want to share it with the members of TSF. You would download the file to your own computer first. This gives you the opportunity to review the picture – if you discover it’s inappropriate then simply delete it. If you decide it’s exactly what it should be, then you would log in to your image hosting site and upload the image to your album. Most of these hosting sites now include what are called “image” tags – a simple line of code that links to the image in your album. All you do is copy the code and paste into the thread here at TSF. Simple! Of course, please check the copyright of your selected image - some pictures are not allowed to be copied and exhibited on other sites.

Here’s a simple example – I found this image on the web. I downloaded it to my computer and checked that it was what I expected. I then uploaded it to Photobucket. In Photobucket I copied the IMG code, which looks like this

[ IMG]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c109/TheGlaswegian/PleaseDoNotThrowStonesAtthisSign.jpg[/IMG]

To show you the line of code, I have added an extra space in front of the first ‘IMG’. If I post the correct code below, all you will see is the picture.



If you decide there’s no need to use an image hosting site then please ensure you carefully review the image you intend to post. Be aware that, although it might look fine at the time of posting, the site may substitute another image later. Users posting inappropriate images will be banned from TSF, in accordance with our Rules. Do you really want to take that chance?

So, make posting images easy for yourself, and for us - please use an image hosting site.