Posted on June 16, 2000 at 22:32:27:
This is for those of you who would like to post images on our Shop Talk forum,
eBay or other Web sites.
All you really need to do is to paste a working URL Web address of the image
you want in the submission form of the service you are using. The key point
is that the image must be available on the Web for any user. This can be at
your Internet Service Provider's server. Many ISPs, including AOL, AT&T and
most local providers allow subscribers to have personal Web pages. By using
this space allotted to you, you may upload your image so others can see it.
You may also use one of the image hosting services, linked
here.
Users can insert working links to Web pages, images on another server or email
addresses in Shop Talk messages by using UBB code. This is a simplified version
of the standard Web html code. Users are encouraged to post images of the items
they are referring to in their messages by using UBB code. Click
here for an explanation of the UBB code.
A system is available for easy direct image upload from your computer
to a server for use on Shop Talk. Use the form below to upload images for free
and get the correct code to copy and paste for Shop Talk.
Click "Browse" to find the image on your computer to upload. Once
you have selected your image, click "Host It" to upload. After you
upload, copy the ImageShack code marked for "Forums" to paste into
messages on Shop Talk. The code with "[img]" works, the code
with "[img=" does not. The thumbnail code option with [img]
in the middle of it is the most efficient.
* To copy for a full size image, left click your cursor in the code box titled,
"Hotlink your image on forums and message boards. 1."
* To copy for a thumbnail image linked to a full size one, left click your cursor
in the code box titled, "Hotlink a clickable thumbnail on a forum
or message board! (Use this link first)"
With your cursor over the highlighted text, click your right mouse button and
choose "Copy" from the menu. Go to the Shop Talk reply or new topic
submission form. put your cursor in the message box and right click. Choose
"Paste" from that menu. The code should appear there. And the image
should appear when you submit the form.
Trouble? Send us a message with a request for assistance or attach an image
to: shoptalk@oldgas.com
This has gotten even easier. Go to our Classifieds Ads and click on "Place Ads." If you are not a currently registered advertiser, click on "Register for an Account" on the Logon page.
Once you choose the category and submit your ad, you will have an opportunity to upload an image into your ad on the next screen. This is a direct upload with no code to copy. There is a limit of one image per ad and a size limt of 480 pixels wide and/or high and 50k in file memory size. You can also insert an image into your existing ad by clicking on "Edit Ads" and enter the ad number of your ad after you logon.
Of course, your image must be in a format that everyone can view: .gif .jpg
or .png. In order to get a print photo to be a Web image, it has to be scanned
or photographed by a digital camera. Many film developing services now offer
scanned images on disk or via Web download. With lower prices, many people have
purchased color scanners. Ask around to see if someone you know could scan your
picture. We can scan your picture, host it and assist you with the code to place
it in our For Sale ads for $4. Assistance is free with Shop Talk message images
of items that are not for sale.
Once you have the image in jpg or gif format, be sure it is also practically
sized. If the pixel height and width of the image is larger than 580 wide or
400 high, many users will have to scroll to see the image. Even more important
is the file memory size of the image. Even if you have an ultra fast Web connection,
be empathetic of those dial-up users who have to wait through several minutes
of blank screen to view a large image. Keep most of your images to a file size
of 50k or less. Those requiring sharp detail may go to a larger file size, but
there is seldom a reason to justify an image over 100k. File sizes can be reduced
through adjustment of jpg compression and reduction of height and width using
any good graphics program. If the image editing software that came with you
camera doesn't have the features you need to easily crop, resize and adjust
file size (compression), check out these reasonably priced image editors: Photo
Impact or PhotoStudio.
For users on eBay there are other options. The image hosting services provided
by eBay are easy and have useful options. If you's like to avoid the fee for
multiple images on eBay, several image hosting services have sprung up to take
care of users who don't have Web space where they can upload images. Browse
eBay and check the links of those image hosting services that others are using.
And note their performance in image transfer speed.
No matter where your image is on the Web, it has an absolute URL address. Such
as:
http://www.oldgas.com/images/pp_oldgas.gif
It must start with http:// , the host domain and the file name and extension.
In some cases, as in the example, a subdirectory is also specified. The best
practice is to type or paste the image URL in your browsers location or open
box, click "enter" and view the image. Copy the URL in the location
box and paste it in the eBay or Oldgas.com submission form. If you were able
to view it over the Web, it has to work for everyone else. If your image has
a URL that starts with file: or contains a drive letter such as C:\ it will
not work on the Web.
So when you need to sell an item or ask for identification, post that image
to get an accurate response. May the pixels be with you!
Jim Potts
oldgas.com