Upgrading The Site - Official Announcement

um-hum.... yep, there is a difference. Right now, for those who know about attaching (not everybody does), It is a two step process - you need to upload the pictures to the server in one window, wait to upload, then go back to the post, and place the images.
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To add an attachment you simply click on "manage attachment". That gets you the "browse" option, click on browse, choose the pic from your computer file and click on it, then click up load. takes about 10 seconds.

Personally I find adding an attachment much easier than using photobucket, since to use photobucket first you have to load the pictures onto photobucket, which can be a time consuming process if photobucket is not working properly. Then when it's time to post the pic, you have to go to photobucket, find the picture, get the link, return to the thread, and post the link.

Not only that, there is the size issue, often when people post from photobucket they don't bother reducing the size of the pics to a manageable size, which IMO is 640x480, anything larger is just too darn big to view.

Posting directly to the post is a one quick step - click on the image button, a little window pops up, you choose the picture, and you are done. No waiting to uploading, no going back to the post to download the image, as you are already in the post. Quick and simple. No boxes around the image saying attached images.

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I don't understand this. Choose the picture from where? Photobucket? You still have to load it there first, and hopefully make it a decent size, so that is still an extra step.

Originally Posted by otto

To add an attachment you simply click on "manage attachment". That gets you the "browse" option, click on browse, choose the pic from your computer file and click on it, then click up load. takes about 10 seconds.

Personally I find adding an attachment much easier than using photobucket, since to use photobucket first you have to load the pictures onto photobucket, which can be a time consuming process if photobucket is not working properly. Then when it's time to post the pic, you have to go to photobucket, find the picture, get the link, return to the thread, and post the link.

Not only that, there is the size issue, often when people post from photobucket they don't bother reducing the size of the pics to a manageable size, which IMO is 640x480, anything larger is just too darn big to view.



I don't understand this. Choose the picture from where? Photobucket? You still have to load it there first, and hopefully make it a decent size, so that is still an extra step.

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Here are the steps from the site. I understand that it will make more sense when you see the forum.

It also mentions another feature we will have - you will be able to have several albums with the ability to add links to the albums in your signature.

Upload and Embed an Image from Your Computer

1. In a forum post or article, find the Image button which looks like this:
   
   - this button exists in both the rich text editor and the BB Code editor.
2. Click the button to open the Image Tool.
3. To upload and insert an image saved on your computer, click "Browse." This open is set as the default when you open the Image Tool.
4. You will be able to browse your computer to find the image you would like to upload. Simply highlight your desired image and click "Open."
5. After you select the image, you can adjust the file name as you like before hitting "OK."
6. You can also add a Description for your image. This Description will appear on the Image Info page and it will appear in a lightbox popover when the image is accessed from a forum post.
7. You will also see a check box to "Save a copy to my default album" - if you check this box, you will see the uploaded image in your default album. From there, you will be able to move it into another album or edit the title, description, etc.
8. Click "OK" to upload the image and insert it into your post or article.

If you are using the rich text editor, once your image is inserted, you can change its size or position. Right click the image and select "Image Properties." Once in the "Image Properties" tool, you can edit the width, height, and the alignment of the image.

Embed Images From Another Site Using The On Site Image Tool

1. Click the Insert/Upload Image button.
2. The Image Tool will open. At the top of the tool, click the "Image URL" tab.
3. To embed an image file from another site, paste in the URL to an image in the top field. From Photobucket copy and paste the "Direct Link". From most other sites, copy the address from the address bar of your browser.
4. You will also see a check box to "Save a copy to my default album" - if you check this box, you will see the uploaded image in your default album. From there, you will be able to move it into another album or edit the title, description, etc.
5. Click "OK" and the image will be inserted into your post or article.

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Ok, I just got completely lost with all the talks of phones and pic posting. Did I mention I'm "technology challenged"? But I do have a few basic questions.

First, will the new format automatically re-size pics downloaded from the computer? ( yep, I'm one of the people that get pics from photobucket and go "oh crap, can someone re-size this so I don't crash someone's computer???)

Also, I currently have myself logged into TSC automatically. Should I request a new password now? Because I don't have a clue what my current one is.

I know the signatures aren't going to be carried over but what about the profiles of the kitties? I'm guessing they are going to be lost as well? Will we have the opportunity to write out short bios for them? I always enjoy reading them.

The new format looks very professional and seems to have a lot of pluses. I'm looking forward to experiencing it!! It definitely sounds like the losses are overshadowed by the gains! I'm excited and nervous. I just wish this would have happened earlier in the year instead of during SS season just because glitches could be a pain. But hopefully the glitches will be short term!

Thanks to Anne and the rest of the team for moving us forward!!

Awwww, I hope I can keep up with the new format!

Originally Posted by otto

To add an attachment you simply click on "manage attachment". That gets you the "browse" option, click on browse, choose the pic from your computer file and click on it, then click up load. takes about 10 seconds.

Personally I find adding an attachment much easier than using photobucket, since to use photobucket first you have to load the pictures onto photobucket, which can be a time consuming process if photobucket is not working properly. Then when it's time to post the pic, you have to go to photobucket, find the picture, get the link, return to the thread, and post the link.

Not only that, there is the size issue, often when people post from photobucket they don't bother reducing the size of the pics to a manageable size, which IMO is 640x480, anything larger is just too darn big to view.



I don't understand this. Choose the picture from where? Photobucket? You still have to load it there first, and hopefully make it a decent size, so that is still an extra step.

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No otto, you choose the picture from your computer - there is just no need to upload the image then place it into the post. It is one step only as you are already inside the post. The tool resizes automatically as it posts, then you can adjust the size if you want after placing it, which is pretty cool.... Like katachtig explained, if you are on Rich text formating.
If (if) you want you can use photobucket.

Originally Posted by otto

??? We can already do that. I've had numerous attachments in this forum. Sometimes it's easier to use photobucket, sometimes it's easier to use attachments, depending on the nature of what I am posting about.

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You see how you have a line around the picture?. That won't be on the new site, at least it wasn't on mine when l was trying it out

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

Does this mean the pictures aren't limited to 400 x 400 pixels the way the current attachments are?

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My camera is set to the size that the site requires the pictures to be so they'll still have to be within the size

Someone said signatures are going to be lost?

Originally Posted by calico2222

Ok, I just got completely lost with all the talks of phones and pic posting. Did I mention I'm "technology challenged"?

But I do have a few basic questions.

First, will the new format automatically re-size pics downloaded from the computer? ( yep, I'm one of the people that get pics from photobucket and go "oh crap, can someone re-size this so I don't crash someone's computer???)

Click to expand...

Your picture will automatically resized when you upload it from your computer. And you can resize it in the post after you have uploaded

Originally Posted by calico2222

Also, I currently have myself logged into TSC automatically. Should I request a new password now? Because I don't have a clue what my current one is.

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It would be a good idea to go under User CP - Edit Email and Password to change it to something you know.

Originally Posted by calico2222

I know the signatures aren't going to be carried over but what about the profiles of the kitties? I'm guessing they are going to be lost as well? Will we have the opportunity to write out short bios for them? I always enjoy reading them.

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Cat pages are under evaluation right now. They are being transferred, but are not currently linked to the owner.

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

Does this mean the pictures aren't limited to 400 x 400 pixels the way the current attachments are?

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

My camera is set to the size that the site requires the pictures to be so they'll still have to be within the size

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I guess my question should have been, what are the limitations on uploading directly from my computer to the message window?

If you link to a site like Photobucket you can make the images any size you want. So yes, sometimes they're too big. However, an image that is 640 pixels wide will still fit in the message window without having to scroll. Currently the attachments are automatically resized to be no wider than 400 pixels, which is a really small picture. Also, there is a limit to the number of images that can be stored as attachments. When you clear out your storage to make room for more images, the ones you delete disappear from your previous posts.

Will the new method work basically the same way as the current attachments (minus the extra step), or will it be more like linking to Photobucket (minus several steps)?

Originally Posted by calico2222

Also, I currently have myself logged into TSC automatically. Should I request a new password now? Because I don't have a clue what my current one is.

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It would be a good idea to PM one of the Administrators about this before the weekend. Make sure your email address is valid, too, because the temporary password you'll need to use to log in and change your current password will be emailed to you.

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

I guess my question should have been, what are the limitations on uploading directly from my computer to the message window?

If you link to a site like Photobucket you can make the images any size you want. So yes, sometimes they're too big. However, an image that is 640 pixels wide will still fit in the message window without having to scroll. Currently the attachments are automatically resized to be no wider than 400 pixels, which is a really small picture. Also, there is a limit to the number of images that can be stored as attachments. When you clear out your storage to make room for more images, the ones you delete disappear from your previous posts.

Will the new method work basically the same way as the current attachments (minus the extra step), or will it be more like linking to Photobucket (minus several steps)?

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OK, please keep in mind that Anne said that some of the features on the test site may change when we get to the real site, but I uploaded a photo that was 4000+ x 4000+ directly from my computer and it automatically resized it to 800x600. I also don't think there will be a limit in uploads.

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

OK, please keep in mind that Anne said that some of the features on the test site may change when we get to the real site, but I uploaded a photo that was 4000+ x 4000+ directly from my computer and it automatically resized it to 800x600. I also don't think there will be a limit in uploads.

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800x600 is too large in my opinion, but I know most people don't think so.

Woo-hoo! I always like upgrades. Looks much less confusing for newbs.

My only complaint is I like the logo we have now much better.

Originally Posted by otto

800x600 is too large in my opinion, but I know most people don't think so.

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I have a 2560x1600 resolution monitor, so yeah, 800x600 by me still looks tiny, heh!

Here's browser display statistics though:
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_display.asp

Virtually no one is using a 800x600 display that would fill the screen. Only 14% use a 1024x768 display (probably netbooks) where you'd still have 168 pixels on each side of the monitor to spare, and everyone else is higher. *shrugs*

Hopefully the new site also doesn't have fixed margins. I prefer the forum to take the maximum size of however you size your browser. No point in wasted white space.

The margins I believe, contain ads, don't they? I don't see ads, but if I remember correctly, that's part of any page on most forums....ads in the margins. I prefer the (blank to me) margins, ads or not, it hurts my eyes to have a screen filled with print, I need other areas to look at for relief.

And very large pictures not only are unviewable to many people, they also take forever to load for people using dial up. I don't use dial up, but they are still out there. And they slow down the entire site, in general.

So yes, I find anything over 800x600 too large, and even 800 is pushing it.

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Hopefully the new site also doesn't have fixed margins. I prefer the forum to take the maximum size of however you size your browser. No point in wasted white space.

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It looks like you can choose between "View Forums Full Width" and "Constrain Threads to Constant Width" in your account settings.

Thanks to all those on the thread who've been helping with the questions. I'm back home, but so jet lagged, I'm glad others here are providing some answers

Sorry if I'm late, and maybe it has been already posted, but I we going to loose our signatures, friends list, pm's, or are we going to still have everything, just a new format?

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Hopefully the new site also doesn't have fixed margins. I prefer the forum to take the maximum size of however you size your browser. No point in wasted white space.

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Boo! I like margins.

To clarify some issues -

Your posts, including attachments, and your PM's, are all being transferred to the new site. That said, I would never rely on any single website to exclusively store information that I need. If you do have important info in messages, posts or attachments, I highly suggest backing it up on your hard drive, regardless of the conversion (and make backups of that too!)

Your current username and password will work on the new platform. You will need both to log in there for the first time, even if you are automatically logged in here. Please make sure you have both available to you. Should you have issues with your password, you can use the password retrieval tool on the new platform.

Signatures will not be available after conversions. We are working on trying to restore them at some point in the future, so hold on to those image files.

Picture uploading will be immensely easier. The new platform auto-resizes images, so that you don't have to worry about resizing images any longer. Sharing a picture of your kitty, or anything else, will be simple and fast!

Let me know if you have more questions - we're here to answer now and after the conversion as well!

One last note - please make sure your email address in your profile is up to date. Should you need your password reset for any reason, you need a valid email address there that you have access to.