Linking question

[Grup]

I have a question about links. I have seen a lot of links to other sites (at least I think I have). And I know that I have linked to other sites/images. What is allowed and /or not allowed? I only ask because I recently came upon this post from a mod in another thread.

"XXXXX, you've been here more than long enough to know that images posted inline are to be hosted on your own web space or image-sharing account, and not hotlinked from space belonging to others. Please don't do that any more."


If I find something interesting on another site that is relevant, how do I correctly make everyone aware of it?

Thanks.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

If you have an image you want to upload, get a free account at a place like Imageshack, put the image there, then post the resulting link here.

Or you can upload it to one of your Albums here.

 

[Grup]

Does that apply only to images posted into a thread? Can I link to an article or a Google image etc? In other words direct someone to another site?

I just want to make sure I play by the rules.

 

[Triskelion]

In case someone reads this thread and has no idea:

Google Free Image Host. Choose one, upload and copy the "direct link." Click the little image box above the post window, insert the link, hit OK.

Grup, that's called "hotlinking" and it draws on the website's server. So websites generally frown upon hotlinking. You should save the image and repost it to your own image host. Otherwise if the original webmaster cuts the image, you have nothing in your post.

An image host with your own password account will preserve your images where one that is just open to anonymous posting may not. I'd recommend one but I'm not sure if it's allowed in the TOS.

For example you might right click Copy Image Location on the pic below to find one reliable host site to store your images. Paste it into your browser URL bar to get the name.

 

[Grup]

Oops. I have done that on several occasions then. Sorry.

One last question. If I have the image saved to my PC and upload it from my PC, is that OK? Is that what is meant by 'one of my albums here'?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Oops. I have done that on several occasions then. Sorry.

One last question. If I have the image saved to my PC and upload it from my PC, is that OK? Is that what is meant by 'one of my albums here'?

Yes, you can upload images to your TrekBBS photo albums and post them here.

Also, if you just want to link to an image--not embed it in the page, but put its web address in--you can do that no matter where it's hosted. It's just embedding images from third party sites that is not allowed, because it's unfair to the people who pay to host them--it uses up their bandwidth.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

When posting images, please make sure you do not post more than 50-70kb worth of photos, as a courtesy to those with slower connections. Images are to be no larger than 640x480.

Plus, you should only include an inline images from web space that you own, or with the permission from the webmaster on which the image is located to avoid what results in costly bandwidth theft to the originating site owner.

Instead, please post a link to the image.

I'd like to point out that the FAQs say "you should", not "you must". Far be it from me to criticise a staff member but the Mod you quoted in your initial post was not completely correct when he/she said "images posted inline are to be hosted on your own web space "
Of course the rules have a point with the bandwith stealing and all that, but strictly formally it's only a recommendation, not an order.


Source: http://www.trekbbs.com/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_images

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ If you hotlink, a mod will find it and convert it to a regular link. It's happened before. Many times. Hotlinking really is verboten.