PLEASE READ: A Reminder About Hotlinking

Discussion in 'CSI: New York' started by Top41, Mar 10, 2008.

  1. Top41

    Top41 Administrator Administrator Moderator Premium Member

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    Hey guys, I just want to make sure we're clear on image posting rules. If an image is from a site not your own--like TV Guide or CSI Caps or something like that--please do not post the image directly from that site! It's called hotlinking and it steals bandwidth, which the sites do not appreciate.

    You can:

    1. Upload the picture to your own site (Photobucket, Image Shack, your own personal website if you have one) and post it as an image from there. I believe Photobucket and Image Shack both offer free accounts.

    2. Post the image as a link [ url ] tags rather than [ img ].

    In other words, if the site isn't yours, don't use image tags. I know this isn't something we've talked about much in here, so I wanted to make sure you're all aware of it! Thank you. :cool:
     
  2. Faylinn

    Faylinn Adam Fangirl Super Moderator

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    Read and understood. :)

    As a clarification though, I think it's possible to hotlink with a 'url' tag as well--if the link leads to just the picture, not the webpage where the picture is located, it's hotlinking, right? I didn't know about that for a while, and if it's the case I thought it would be good to mention it.

    I'll try to use Photobucket for an example:

    Hotlinking*

    Not hotlinking

    *Which is the point of Photobucket anyway, but I don't have a webpage of my own to use as an example instead. :lol: Pretend the image is on a regular website and not Photobucket. ;)
     
  3. MacsLady

    MacsLady CSI Level Two

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    So once I've uploaded a pic to my Photobucket page, do I post it here using the img tag or the url tag?
     
  4. Elsie

    Elsie Shopaholic

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    Read and understood Top. :)

    Well that wouldn't technically be hotlinking because you're using a link rather than posting the actual image, therefore not using their bandwidth. But I consider it to be courtesy that if you want to post a link, you post it to the actual website rather than simply the image on the website, I'm sure it's what most website owners would prefer too. :)

    IMG tags are fine from Photobucket, or any of the similar photo sharing websites. As long as the image isn't really big, as that might stretch the screen, a link (url) is usually better in those circumstances. ;)
     
  5. MacsLady

    MacsLady CSI Level Two

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    Thanks, Elsie.:)
     
  6. Faylinn

    Faylinn Adam Fangirl Super Moderator

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    It's all really confusing. :lol: The way I see it, posting a link that only shows the image is pretty much the same as posting the image itself--it might not take away as much bandwidth (maybe?), but you're still only seeing the image and not the site it's posted on...

    I really have no idea. Yay Photobucket! :lol:
     
  7. Top41

    Top41 Administrator Administrator Moderator Premium Member

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    Hotlinking is just posting the image when it's not on a site you own or a hosting site. It's just about bandwidth. The other issue (linking to a site rather than just an image from the site) is one of courtesy, and well, it's always good to be polite. :cool:
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2008
  8. vegaslights

    vegaslights Brute

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    Read and understood.

    As a web designer who hosts a site which hosts images (tongue twister!), I really don't appreciate when people hotlink.

    Those who do link to Photobucket, Imageshack, Imagevenue or whatnot, those are great sites to use and are free!
     
  9. NOLAGRRL

    NOLAGRRL Witness

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    Read and understood! There are too many free photo hosting sites out there that there shouldn't be a need to clog up the bandwidth so everyone can't see the pretty.
     
  10. CSI_in_training

    CSI_in_training CSI Level Two

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    Got it! I think...I only post pics from Photobucket anyways. But that's more because it's all I really know how to do. ^_^' not so good with the computers.
     

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