We have people browsing on lower resolution laptop screens and even a few members still stuck on 56K modems (the poor souls). When posting screenshots or other images, please follow these guidelines to keep your other web browsing friends happy.
Scale image dimensions to something less than 800x600. Even 640x480 will do.
Use .jpg with compression or .gif. Typically, things with lots of different colours and detailed pics will compress better with .jpg. Flat shades with few colours will compress better with .gif. Jpeg files can also compress by lowering the picture quality. For a screenshot, try using a medium quality setting. If using Photoshop, try saving your image with the "Save for web and devices" feature in the file menu and play with the settings to minimize file size.
If you want to share something at full resolution please post a low resolution preview and link to the full size image.
If you really must post something larger, use the [.lvlshot] and [/lvlshot] tags (without the ".").
Don't post more than one or two screenshots at a time. Be more selective of your screenshots. It is by far better to post one well framed screenshot of your map than a dozen really bad ones.
Don't upload attachments. Yes, the feature is available on this forum, but we don't have the server space if everyone uses it. Our server is held together with duct tape and toothpicks, but it's free. Attachments are generally for moderators, so we can preserve images that are part of written tutorials and other resources that we want archived.
A good example of this usage is actually by o'dium. Take a look at his pictures in the screenshots thread, he always posts low resolution previews and links to a full size image.
These are just guidelines. I personally don't mind 1024 if the file size is still reasonable and you only post one or two. Primarily, I don't want to see 1MB files or 10 screenshots of the same corner of a map. I trust the judgment of most of the people here, but it's something that needs to be pointed out as a reminder.
In defense of 56k users, I do not have the option at my house to have anything but 56k or satellite but still pay comparable rates (20$ USD which is the same price as the lowest DSL). I know I'm a clear minority however so I'm not like a huge advocate one way or another. Just sayin.
obsidian wrote:These are just guidelines. I personally don't mind 1024 if the file size is still reasonable and you only post one or two. Primarily, I don't want to see 1MB files or 10 screenshots of the same corner of a map.
So that means no more complaining about my 5-10 screenshots I post once every 2 or 3 months? Hooray!
If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron.
-Lee Trevino, golfer who actually has been struck by lightning.
