I don't understand the logic behind locking the Alternative Image Thread. Images that are linked from other servers don't affect your bandwidth and for those on your server - isn't that what those people are paying for?
It looks like some users of FM hosting might have overstepped what's considered normal usage? OK, then make some change to your hosting policy that includes limitations.
I have always used my own host so it's no issue for FM. Locking a user like me out seems ridiculous. If the lockup of the AIT continues I will rename all the files on my host so the links no longer work - in protest.
foto-z wrote:
What's the point? It's on the way to deletion.
My images would still come up in Google when users are searching for alterntive lens info. They might see the text, but no images. Also any newer posts on other threads won't be there.
If it continues, I'll probably go back to the DPReview Kodak SLR community. I'd be outa here 100% before long.
The thread was getting cumbersome to navigate. When was the last time anyone looked at a pic on page 153? 227? And the page turn thing was really getting out of control. In recent days/weeks the first few posts of new pages were just TP and no pics.
But then there's paying for a service and being told how to use it? I'm on PBase too, so no server burden coming from me at all.
In the end, what we need is a special gallery page or something like that that doesn't create as much server load, if in fact that's a problem. A gallery would load only thumbnails every time unless someone wanted to see a pic full size.
I'd like to see a return to an Alt Image Thread as soon as possible. What's the best alternative now?
This is very frustrating. I have been a member here for a while, and for the last couple of years I have spent almost all of my time here on the Alt. forum. The AIT is always the first thread I check, as I am inspired by the images produced by this (smaller) community of photographers and their unusual equipment. First the nonsense about the M8 & DMR threads, and now this? (I realize Fred is not directly to blame for the former.)
Fred: What about starting up a new AIT, and then locking it after, say, 30 pages or so (or less)? Then letting a new one start up. Would that help the bandwidth concern (which I admit I don't understand)?
StevenPA wrote:
The thread was getting cumbersome to navigate. When was the last time anyone looked at a pic on page 153? 227? And the page turn thing was really getting out of control. In recent days/weeks the first few posts of new pages were just TP and no pics.
But then there's paying for a service and being told how to use it? I'm on PBase too, so no server burden coming from me at all.
In the end, what we need is a special gallery page or something like that that doesn't create as much server load, if in fact that's a problem. A gallery would load only thumbnails every time unless someone wanted to see a pic full size.
I'd like to see a return to an Alt Image Thread as soon as possible. What's the best alternative now?...Show more →
I looked at page 227 just the other day. Sometimes I just put in a random page number and browse some oldies.
Most everyone stopped making TP posts without a photo attached, especially once Guy left again. Maybe a new thread did need to be started for this technical issue but that isn't how I interpret Fred's comments.
I have little interest in posting to the presentation boards, and I fail to see how that is any different than posting to the AIT as concerns bandwidth. Photos taken with alt lenses and systems directly supports all the other thread discussions on the alt board.
TeamSK jay wrote:
I have little interest in posting to the presentation boards, and I fail to see how that is any different than posting to the AIT as concerns bandwidth.
TeamSK jay wrote:
I looked at page 227 just the other day.
No way.
Sometimes I just put in a random page number and browse some oldies.
Have to admit I've done this too, but with only 5 or so page links shown for navigation, only the really diehards would do such a thing.
Most everyone stopped making TP posts without a photo attached, especially once Guy left again. Maybe a new thread did need to be started for this technical issue but that isn't how I interpret Fred's comments.
It was still annoying to see that a new photo had been posted, but no viewable until another photo was posted to turn the page over.
A new thread was needed, but relegating the "old" AIT to Cyber Heaven is sad. Once again this site is suffering from poorly explained drastic measures, which is where some of our frustration is surely coming from.
I have little interest in posting to the presentation boards, and I fail to see how that is any different than posting to the AIT as concerns bandwidth. Photos taken with alt lenses and systems directly supports all the other thread discussions on the alt board.
Agree 110%. Fred's homebrew forum software, and it's some of the best homebrew on the net, seems to have not been built for large threads. Could it be the size and not the pics that's the issue?
Either way, we need to get another AIT up as soon as possible. A clean start. That's probably our only choice. Fred can then come back and lock anything that he feels is too unruly in size/server burden when that happens. Let's not let this speed bump push us elsewhere, to other forums or sites.
When we have a thread with over 300 pages mostly with image posts, we will have a substantial degradation of the forum performance. That goes for images hosted from the site and external images. It still takes bandwidth to open pictures from other sites.
I have ways to control which threads / boards / posts are slowing the forum the most and this thread is on the top of the list.
How about coming up with an alternative? I will think about something we can do instead of having threads like the "AIT".
I will unlock the thread for now but keep in mind that sooner or later, we will have to deal with it..
Fred
Thanks, Fred! Working together is much healthier for FM.com than simply being locked out. If the AIT is a burden, then how can we create and sustain one place on this forum for pics? That's what I want. I don't want to use the presentation boards.
Is it possible to have a gallery link at the top of the page? A gallery that could link to external sites and allow for brief commenting?
Edited by StevenPA on Nov 06, 2007 at 09:17 AM GMT
Ok, what's wrong with the presentation boards?
Never mind, let's concentrate for an "AIT" alternative.
How about something like what we have on the WA and MA boards. Submissions are posted as thumbnails on the top of the page as a link. Take a look at that and let me know.
Fred
