YeW Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Hi All -I thought I'd put this post up to explain what bandwidth theft is and ask all users NOT to do this.When you call an image (using the [ img ] tag) into your post it uses bandwidth from whichever server you've pulled it from.This forum as most ppl are aware is quite busy - and so the image gets "called" from the server everytime someone views a thread. Individual threads (ie: Topics) can sometimes have over well over 1000 views (assuming it is a popular thread). Obviously if this is your own server/webspace this is fine (I like to see pics in the forum as much as anyone). If it isn't your own server here's how the problem grows:So let's say it is 2 x 25 k images... this is 50,000(bytes) x 1000 (views) = 50, 000, 000 (or 50 megs) being pulled from this server (assuming it is not cached by your browsers). Obviously this is a worst case scenario.So, where's the problem you ask? Well - we webmasters PAY for bandwidth. By stealing it and hotlinking to images you don't own you are increasing our costs. I know this from from personal experience, I once received a extra $90 bill for excessive bandwidth from my web host. I looked up my stats and found that 15 of my images were being used in a very popular thread on one of the larger US fish forums. I contacted the people involved and sent some unpleasant emails and thankfully this piracy stopped.Bandwidth theft is illegal, guys and gals, you can be sued for doing it. Please don't do it. Use a link [ url ] or get permission from the owner of the photo and then upload it to your own webspace before posting it on the forums.Cheers -David and Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiledonmainstreet Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Hi Dave. Thanks for the good advice It's not something most people tend to think about on a regular basis. By the way, who's the "and", after David? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 1, 2003 Author Share Posted December 1, 2003 David and YeW (my twin brother ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Sorry Yew, I wasn't aware of the problem :^:, I thaught, like in acedemic literature, as long as there was some sort of reference or link between the photo and its original, that there is no problem. But obviously its different in cyber world : Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 1, 2003 Author Share Posted December 1, 2003 Anthony -You're not stealing bandwidth (yours (I assume) is part of some free webspace MSN provide)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Not the two photos i put in the mystery cichlid thread, they were from other sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donbennie Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 so i have to save the pics on my own computer workspace 1st then upload it with author's permission? or do i need the permission? just curious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 1, 2003 Author Share Posted December 1, 2003 The permission is certainly a courtesy - on some websites it is an obligation.If you want to show ppl a picture - the easiest way is with a test link, rather than pulling the picture itself into the forum .HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 Yeah sorry Dave, I wasn't aware of the problem sorry again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 If the photos are mine or have no copyright is that ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 2, 2003 Author Share Posted December 2, 2003 Nigel -This isn't a copyright issue - it is who owns the server space from which the images are being pulled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 It's an interesting topic.This is the second forum I've come across with this policy (out of 39)And I respect the forum owners' rules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 2, 2003 Author Share Posted December 2, 2003 Edward -That is a very sad thing if only 2/39 forums support this. Many ppl unknowingly steal bandwidth but it costs us webmasters all the same. It is theft and you can be done for it in the courts in serious cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aymenz Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 hey dave what if i upload the picture to my iprimus free web space... and then use the link to retreive the picture.... is it ok ....and if not how can i do it ?thx in advc ya:^: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 Edward -That is a very sad thing if only 2/39 forums support this. Many ppl unknowingly steal bandwidth but it costs us webmasters all the same. It is theft and you can be done for it in the courts in serious cases. I haven't really thought about it.It makes sense, but making the whole or even majority of the internet community to abide by this is a tough job.Just wondering what advantage a text link to a photo has over displaying it in the forum?Cheers,Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 hey dave what if i upload the picture to my iprimus free web space... and then use the link to retreive the picture.... is it ok ....and if not how can i do it ?thx in advc ya:^: That's acceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 By providing a link to the page where the picture is, you are still using their bandwidth yes, but directly from their own site/server. Making this forum not responsible for chewing through their (expensive) bandwidth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 2, 2003 Author Share Posted December 2, 2003 Edward -That's fine - that is your webspace. Not someone elses Upload away . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 2, 2003 Author Share Posted December 2, 2003 Ed -The difference between a link and picture is you have the choice to view the "link" or not.This reduces bandwidth significantly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Other Ed Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 aymenz, :D go to the iprimus home page http://www.iprimus.com.auand on the left click 'my accont toolbox' under 'services'login using your normal detailsthen under 'services' click 'Personal web space'you should be able to upload files here , just like adding attachments to e-mail. At the top of the page you should see the address you need to put in the post E.G http://www.home.iprimus.com.au/YOUR_USER_NAME/just add the file name after your user name/and as YeW has asked use .jpg and limit the file sise and dimentions to less than 800 x 600 (ok YeW? :D )HTH.Other Edtwo 'eds are better than one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 2, 2003 Author Share Posted December 2, 2003 Hi Ed -Thanks for helping out :DI'd recommend 640x480 as a maximum for pics :.Once you add the forums body in . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aymenz Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 hey ed thx...hey yew thxthx everyone for helping outwell ed i really know how to use the upload method and the services @ iprimus........... thx anyway......c ya.:^: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barca888 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 I uploaded my pic on to my webspace is this ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 3, 2003 Author Share Posted December 3, 2003 Bar -It is perfect. If a smidge over the 125x100 limit on signature images . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooky Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Gday Dave, ive just got a quick question... i was wondering if you could reduce some of the pic sizes in some of the fish profiles ive done as they are from what ive seen hotlinked to my web space ( not that i mind ) just seems my connection is running slower if that is possible.... + the pics look heaps better once you have done what you do with them (adding names and such) :D ... thanks in advance mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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