next »

[Dr Sketch]

Ok, so you have a great picture you want to share with everyone.  You've cropped, sized, and rotated it to be exactly what you want...  Now all you need to do is get it online!

First, you need a place to host your image.  If you have a personal server, just move the image onto it, and you're done.  Otherwise, do a search for image hosts, you'll find a lot.  I use PhotoBucket, but only because I found them once on accident & just stuck with them.  Be sure that your image host allows hotlinking.  If they don't, people won't be able to see your image in the forum...

Ok, once you've found a host, get an account, and upload the image.  Each host does things slightly differently, so follow their instructions.  Usually after uploading the host gives you an address or two: one that is the direct link to the image, and one to the gallery page that it is viewable on.  You want to use the direct link (often referred to as URL, it should end in "gif" "jpg" or another image type, NOT "htm" "html" or "php") when posting.

If you're with a nicer host, they will also give you a tag (to use in html pages) and a BBCode (for use on bulletin boards and forums).  If they do, your work is done, just post the BBCode directly into your message.

If all you have is an address, you have a little more work to do.  Copy the image URL, return to your forum, and open a new post.  Type your message, then get ready to insert the image.

Click the button that says "Img".  It will change to have an asterisk in it, indicating an open code, and you will see the following inserted in your message:

Code:

[img]

Your cursor should be right after the "img" code, so paste the image address in, then press the "Img" button again, which will close the code.  That's it!  You're done!  Click "Preview" to make sure it worked right, then finish your post...

Ok, example time.  I want to post an image.  I've uploaded it to my host, and it didn't give me the BBCode, just an address (PhotoBucket does give BBCode, but for this example pretend they didn't).

The image is located here: http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e245/djpsychochild/Image006.jpg which means I need the following code to get it visible:

Code:

[img]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e245/djpsychochild/Image006.jpg[/img]

Putting that code into my post will result in this:


Tada!  If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.  If something isn't clear, PM me and I will try to clarify it...

[serrena_de_singe]

=D>   Bravo, Herr Doktor.

I know one image host that will not allow you to hotlink is AngelFire.  Another that you have to be careful with is GeoCities.  It "times out" after hitting so much bandwidth transfer.  The image will return in about an hour, but until your "time out" is over, you're stuck with the "Red X of Doom."

In addition to Photobucket, I've also seen people use Imageshack.  I don't know about IS's bandwidth allowances, though it is another freebie image host.

On a personal sidenote - after years of toying with graphics - you will want to stick with .png or .jpg for still images - .bmp is a HUGE file.  MS Paint will automatically save in .bmp format.  To change the format, use the pull down menu when you save to change it to .jpg.  Animated or transparent images always work best as .gif.

[Dr Sketch]

Yeah, bitmaps are gigantic.  I usually use jpg, but only out of habit.  In the past, png files didn't get along the best with IE, so I just got used to jpg.  In addition, most cameras save to jpg, so it's a good default if you don't have a good reason to switch...

I've used Imageshack in the past, but they won't let you put images on certain "high usage" sites (Fark.com is a great example, imageshack gets really grumpy when you post an image there), and have changed recently to forcing you to post a thumbnail instead of the full image.  In addition, I don't like having to give them credit everytime I post an image from them (which is in their TOS so you have to do it).

A great list of free, easy image hosts is located at http://www.imagehostadvisory.com/.  The members of Fark.com built it to make some of their lives easier, and it seems to be a good list to me.

[serrena_de_singe]

I've never used Imageshack, so I was unfamiliar with their usage rules.  Thanks for enlightening me, Herr Doktor.

I usually save stills in .jpg.  I never use .png ... but it seems to be kind of popular on some other sites I frequent.  I'm just an old fashioned kind of girl.  .JPG for stills ... .GIF for trans and animated.

[Karenday]

Thanks, I'm gonna work on making it work ...lol.. [/img]

[Tony C.]

Droktorrrr,

I will re-try tonight....I did open an account with Photo Bucket. I just couldn't get the picture to work. ack. We'll see tonight...

[Karenday]

This only a test of the karen trying to post a picture..this is only a test..

[Karenday]

OKAY, now I think I got it right!!!..lol..

[Puddleboy]

I'll be heading over to PB as soon as I finish processing a 26 track vinyl album.

.....  :roll:

[Tony C.]

OK. Lets see what happens....

[Tony C.]

YEAH, BABY, YEAH!!!!!

[serrena_de_singe]

Boogy oogie oogie, Pirate bay-bee.

[AuntMaymeMommy]

I have never tried putting an image in a forum so here goes.........

[AuntMaymeMommy]

Oooooooooooooooh!  I am so excited!  It worked!  By the wau. that is my daughter and my dad.

[serrena_de_singe]

It's a very touching photo, AMM.  At least, I think so.