New Gallery rules

[Locutus]

All,

I will no longer be approving non-airsoft related images in the gallery. There are various reasons for this, but the main one is database size in regards to backups.

Thanks.

[Texx]

Would it be possible to disable hot-linking to pics in the gallery? Perhaps that would help cut down on the bandwidth issues.

[CoOk!3 6()|)]

Texx, does hotlinking mean using a web address to have them hosted in threads? I just recently created a thread (prior to reading this one) Where I had the pictures uploaded elsewhere, and linked here. Thus AO doesn't suffer the bandwidth drop, as the images are hosted on imageshack. Is this to be considered unacceptable?

[Texx]

Originally posted by CoOk!3 6()|)
Texx, does hotlinking mean using a web address to have them hosted in threads? I just recently created a thread (prior to reading this one) Where I had the pictures uploaded elsewhere, and linked here. Thus AO doesn't suffer the bandwidth drop, as the images are hosted on imageshack. Is this to be considered unacceptable?

Yes. When you store images on one site and link to them (mostly by using an "img/src" - type link so that the picture appears) from another, this is known as hotlinking. This type of thing still counts as bandwidth use by the site hosting the file because it refers to the storage site's address. Any "use" of items on that site constitutes as use of bandwidth.

Using AO as an image host for other sites uses bandwidth that could be used by other legitimate AO-based functions. Some sites have actively enforced preventing what is called "Bandwidth Piracy/Stealing." This is because they have paid to host images for their use and someone else is using them too.

I'm not entirely sure if AO software has the ability to disable hotlinking of images. But I felt this might keep bandwidth use to a minimum.

[CoOk!3 6()|)]

Right, but since the site I've linked to is NOT AO, then it doesn't hurt AO's bandwidth right? The image is hosted on ImageShack, which provides you with the addresses you would need to post the picture in a forum. Therefore, the site's purpose is to host images for forums and the like, correct? Read: this is not an abuse of the site's bandwidth, it is simply a use of the site's bandwidth

Originally posted by Texx
Would it be possible to disable hot-linking to pics in the gallery? Perhaps that would help cut down on the bandwidth issues.

Additionally, if you read Locutus's origninal post, bandwidth was not one of the stated issues. Not saying that bandwidth isn't an issue, he just didn't say it was.

Originally posted by Locutus
... but the main one is database size in regards to backups.

[JaredLeto]

I'm pretty sure the only bandwidth used by AO for posting an ImageShack (or other site) hosted image will be the text used for the link.

[CoOk!3 6()|)]

Exactly. They host both the original image, and the thumbnail. It's not at all hurting AO's bandwidth.

[Texx]

I'm not saying that linking to pics off site is affecting AO's bandwidth. What I'm saying is that hotlinking to pics in the AO gallery from offsite effects AO bandwidth use.

What I suggested was that, if possible, Admin disable hotlinking to images in the AO Gallery.

As far as hotlinking to pics offsite, you might consider simply posting a link to the picture as it reduces the strain on the dial-up users out there and generally improve page load times.

[CoOk!3 6()|)]

Gotcha. ;) It's not something I plan on doing on a regular basis anyway, but if any of the mods have an issue with it, please contact me on this thread, or via PM.