Huge Screenshots and Images Are Annoying

[Subnuts]

Over the past few months I've noticed an upswing in the number of large, 1.5 megabyte or larger screen-shots being posted to the forum in their original size. I generally try to post an image as a thumbnail if it's more than 600 pixels wide or if it's file-size is more than 150 kb.

Although I have a fairly fast internet connection, there are plenty of people out there that don't, and either way, these 1600-pixel wide, 2-megabyte PNG files that keep springing up are pretty darned obnoxious. Would anyone really be upset if an upper limit was placed on the maximum size of non-thumbnailed images? It's something that's really started to grate on my nerves, and I know I'm not the only one.

[krashkart]

Wouldn't bother me any. Massive PNG's are a little over the top, and not everyone knows the benefits of formats like JPG. Another forum I frequent uses an automatic thumbnailer whatchamahoozit that opens the full image in a new window or tab. Example:

The Orbiter-Forum screenshots thread. Efficient use of space.

http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=20

[Sailor Steve]

The service I use (PhotoBucket) automatically sizes them to fit the page and converts them to jpeg. I've asked one particular offender not to use pngs, and he replied that they look better that way and continues to do it. I was told by someone else that since the pictures are hosted elsewhere they don't affect Neal's bandwidth and costs, but I'm not sure about that.

But they are still annoying.

[Jimbuna]

I agree....tis no big deal to convert to jpeg format and it helps guard against forum slowdowns for those with low bandwidth connections.

[aergistal]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I was told by someone else that since the pictures are hosted elsewhere they don't affect Neal's bandwidth and costs, but I'm not sure about that.

Yes, I told you that and I know what I'm talking about. Here's further reference:

Note: When a web page is loaded, it is the browser, at that moment, that actually gets the image from a web server and inserts it into the page

Source: http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_images.asp

Image inline linking can also be used for Hotlinking, or bandwidth theft.

<img src="http://notmysite.com/image.jpg" height="350" width="200">

This tag tells the site to request the image.jpg from a different server other than your own. Every time the page is loaded, the outside server has to use its bandwidth to display the image. To avoid this problem, don't link to files on servers that don't belong to you. To share images and files on your own web page, upload them to your own server's directory or to a free image hosting service that allows direct linking.

Source: http://altlab.com/hotlinking.html


PNG is a lossless format while JPEG uses lossy compression. That is a JPG file may contain visual artifacts based on the level of compression. The greater the compression, the smaller the file but with data loss. However you can have 10:1 compression with little perceptible data loss.

Conclusion
Given the scope of uploading game screenshots to a forum and not for high quality printing JPG should be more than enough for you and it helps more people to see your image.

[Arclight]

I agree, an effort should be made to keep the file-sizes minimal (.jpg does this fine), and limit resolution to 1024x768 so people don't have to scroll to see all of it.

Just a bit of common courtesy really.

[CCIP]

Yeah, I agree - all the hosting services these days offer to automatically resize pictures anyway for those feeling lazy. I'd personally agree with a recommendation to keep it under 1024 in either dimension - the rest should absolutely be in links.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Arclight

I agree, an effort should be made to keep the file-sizes minimal (.jpg does this fine), and limit resolution to 1024x768 so people don't have to scroll to see all of it.

Just a bit of common courtesy really.

What's your view on the dimensions of the sigs?

[JScones]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

The service I use (PhotoBucket) automatically sizes them to fit the page and converts them to jpeg. I've asked one particular offender not to use pngs, and he replied that they look better that way and continues to do it. I was told by someone else that since the pictures are hosted elsewhere they don't affect Neal's bandwidth and costs, but I'm not sure about that.

But they are still annoying.

I agree

I don't care where they are stored, they still count towards my d/l quota, and frankly I have way more important things to waste my d/l limit on than the same 1-2mb shadowed deck gun images all the time.

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

The service I use (PhotoBucket) automatically sizes them to fit the page and converts them to jpeg. I've asked one particular offender not to use pngs, and he replied that they look better that way and continues to do it. I was told by someone else that since the pictures are hosted elsewhere they don't affect Neal's bandwidth and costs, but I'm not sure about that.

But they are still annoying.

You've been speaking to a couple of idiots then.

Firstly, to the human eye a 1920x1080 PNG and a JPEG (of similair dimensions) at 70% compression will look no different. The difference is that the PNG will be about 3mb where as the JPEG will be about 500kb (dependent on image content).

Secondly, even if the image is hosted elsewhere it is still data traffic through Neals server and monthly bandwidth usage charge. It costs him.

How do you combat this?

Options:
1) As Hunter said, there are scripts which will automatically resize any oversized image within the forum. However, you can still view the full res version by opening it in a new page. This will not save bandwidth costs as the downsized image is still it's full file size, just smaller dimensions.

2) If people want to post humungous images (dimension and file size) then that should be a subscription benefit. Make the ****ers pay for wasting Neals (and your) bandwidth. The forum should be limited to a max of 1024 x 768 (without special permission), which is the desktop standard.

3) (my personal favourite) Get someone anal enough to check file sizes/dimensions in posts and give them the power to resize them or delete them. We used to have someone like this.......Gizmo.

[Arclight]

Ehr, about JPG vs PNG: You can spot the difference between 100% quality JPG and a PNG image. JPG has less vibrant colors. I certainly notice a decline in quality when converting them, at least.

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by Arclight

Ehr, about JPG vs PNG: You can spot the difference between 100% quality JPG and a PNG image. JPG has less vibrant colors. I certainly notice a decline in quality when converting them, at least.

So as not to make this thread self fulfilling........I've resized these down from 1080p @ 6.5mb:

PNG:


JPG:


I can't see any difference between the 2, except maybe a slight reduction in the shadows on the JPEG but big whoop, we're talking about game screen shots not nature. The JPEG is even compressed to 70% and I see no artifacts either. Even after my work the PNG is about 6 times larger file.

[Raptor1]

If the images are hosted elsewhere, I'm quite certain it doesn't take Neal any bandwidth. After all, it's just a link to an image hosted elsewhere...

Anyway, I disagree with limiting the size of pictures. I think a better solution would be to ask people to post smaller pictures (Unless where it's appropriate, like screenshot threads) and give warnings/infractions to people who refuse to listen.

Originally Posted by Arclight

Ehr, about JPG vs PNG: You can spot the difference between 100% quality JPG and a PNG image. JPG has less vibrant colors. I certainly notice a decline in quality when converting them, at least.

I agree.

[Lord_magerius]

Originally Posted by krashkart

Wouldn't bother me any. Massive PNG's are a little over the top, and not everyone knows the benefits of formats like JPG. Another forum I frequent uses an automatic thumbnailer whatchamahoozit that opens the full image in a new window or tab. Example:

The Orbiter-Forum screenshots thread. Efficient use of space.

http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=20

I see what you did there...