Archives vs. big posts vs. galleries

[Numerous One]

First off,
thanks to nylonfan for pointing me to the right direction via PM suggestion to post this in the help section.
I do hope this doesn't breach any rule. I do apologize in the opposite case.

The discussion started elsewhere, and I suppose similar questions have already been asked, but I wasn't able to find such separate thread. This place seemed the most convenient.

I do not know whether it would be feasible to introduce some kind of rule, or at least the "official" recommendation to posters not to put 100+ thumbs/links to images uploaded to image hosting servers (imagevenue, imagebam, etc.) in a single post. Naturally, this counts only for complete sets, not the galleries with bits and pieces. And most certainly, it's not applicable to the magazine scans threads.
Obviously, "Modern Models" section is the one that suffers the most from slow loading time issues. In the last few years, with the increase of internet speed for home usage, we are witnessing the insanity few companies/studios are exhibiting by making huge sets (nowadays it's not that rare seeing sets containing 1000+ pics).
Please, don't get me wrong. I've got nothing against anyone's hard work and fine contribution here. The point is, most of us usually have more than one browser tab opened (what would be the point of multi-tab browsers otherwise?), few programs running in the background, and often opening a page that contains 700+ thumbs can really be a painstaking experience.

I'd always opt for a rar/zip archive link instead, but all the options have their advantages and disadvantages. I do understand posting individual images can guarantee longer lifetime for the uploaded sets, and nylonfan emphasized a couple of other major archive posts minuses: the speed ((RS ~ 30 kByte/sec) and often the instability (netload.in). I've completely overlooked the speed issue (my dumb-self thought the low RS speed had something to do with my connection, or some malware on my computer, so knowing it's regular is quite a relief ).

Although I find archives more convenient way to acquire posted material, the issue here is not making archive links mandatory. To each his own, I'm certain there are many VEF members that prefer "the mass method". What I'm suggesting here is not to put all the uploaded image/thumbs links within one post. Since both of the major external image hosts (imagebam and imagevenue) have that nice feature of creating a gallery with interlinked images, and generating a link which could be easily pasted in Bulk Image Downloader, or any software that caters to one's needs, I consider it not being a big issue. With PimpAndHost it's even easier, it kinda satisfies "both worlds": there is an option of downloading all the images at once as a zip archive PimpAndHost makes for the downloader. Pretty cool. (And I must express my deepest gratitude for defining these three hosts as obligatory on VEF - the situation on other boards all over www gives me an instant headache - what an infinite ocean of image hosts! and most of them take an eternity to load a desired image, since the page is stuffed with ads).

My suggestion: posting a few sample pics of the set - let's say 5-10 pics max - followed by a sentence that states how many pictures given gallery contains, and the size of it. One click on any of the posted samples leads to the full gallery.

Mods/admins, I do hope some of you have the time to read this and post an opinion, since I'm most certain you have been thinking over it. This way, browsing across the pages, checking dead links, or duplicated posts, for us members, as well as for you, who are trying to keep things well organized, has become quite an endeavor.
Anyone who has the time to read this, please, do post any opinion, constructive suggestion, better solution.
Anything that can make our lives easier is highly appreciated.
Cheers!

[hos]

actually there is a rule for maximum amount of images per post (included within the board settings which doesn't allow more than 100 or 120 images per posts).

i agree that huge sets shouldn't be included in 1 single post, i usually split big galleries so that a post doesn't contain more than 50-70 pics - but it seems that's not what you like to see.

with few previews and then offer a rar/zip download is an option. members have the choice what they prefer. but imho for images it's much quicker to chose an imagefilehost for all pics. there would be a second option: upload the entire gallery in one step to either imagebam or imagevenue, offer a preview of 5-10 images and instead of an archive download simply add the imagevenue/imagebam-link to the entire gallery.

Example:



complete gallery:
http://www.imagebam.com/gallery/zvej...n1eudlh9kciv7/

but honestly i am more stressed by mixed galleries with random pics from different sources. or crap quality. or single-pic posts, 5-10 in a row from the same set - by the same member of course.

[Pepper II]

While we're on this subject I'll add my own suggestion. As stated this mostly applies to the modern section in threads such as Milf-Matures, Redheads, and the like. If someone has this many images of one model the pics should be posted in her thread or a thread should be created for her instead of clogging otherwise entertaining threads. Some of the posters simply transfer hundreds of images from another site into the non model-specific threads. I rarely visit these anymore because of this.

[buttsie]

125 images per post is the max as I've maxed out
several times in the online-defunct thread.

The most recent thread which crosses over the same topic from a different perspective

Too Many Similar Shots
dead cross link removed 30 10 22

All the discussions before that all came to one conclusion

Any enforced limiting via vbulletin software isnt an option as there are too many large posts.No one in their right mind would even consider editing them

A voluntary code of practice while feasible is never going to stop the posting
unless its got something to do with future forum stability.

The modern area limits films / clips to using only 20 Vidcaps
on a voluntary basis so it can be done if required.



In the end your left with simply reducing the numbers of posts per page to 5
user CP / Options or change to hybrid - 1 post at a time

If your regularly posting in certain models threads then I think it smart you simply
set up a folder collect a pic from each post,label it by the post number set/video/clip description and then you have no need to go through the entire thread everytime you think you have something to add.



Some memory cleaners like clean mem can give your PC a bit of a boost
when the loading is heavier

Anonym zu www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-memory-optimizer.htm

[nylonfan]

Maybe a mod or an admin gives us a hint what they prefer. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated.

In the meantime, let me give a short summary:

One click hosters suffers from slow download speeds and other limitations. Sometimes they get closed (MU) and for a few I would need a premium access because the uploaded files are too big.

Hundreds of pics per post will cause a pain while loading the site. My Firefox stops working a few seconds for alle opened tabs.

I preferred the "mass method" using ImageHostGrabber for downloading the pics. But I wasn't lucky with that. Additionaly since February the size of the preview thumbnails were limited to 180x180 pics. I use 150x150 but it doesn't give a relief. It will not save the layout and since event the previews are not hosted at VEF, it has no effect IMHO.

So I decided to give the methods suggested by Numerous One and the fine example shown by

Originally Posted by hos

Example:



complete gallery:
http://www.imagebam.com/gallery/zvej...n1eudlh9kciv7/

a try. Not for "mixed images". But I'm sure this will increase the performace of this board. Sure, it will cost a few clicks more but it's worth doing it to keep VEF clean and usable.

Quality rules!

(Sorry for my poor english )

[Numerous One]

Originally Posted by hos

[...] there would be a second option: upload the entire gallery in one step to either imagebam or imagevenue, offer a preview of 5-10 images and instead of an archive download simply add the imagevenue/imagebam-link to the entire gallery. [...]

and so confirmed by nylonfan. Exactly what I had in mind!

Originally Posted by Pepper II

[...] I rarely visit these anymore because of this.

Me too. For the same reason.

And, buttsie,
I've came across few posts of yours where you displayed a genuine "democratic" and "liberal" approach, choosing the course of not imposing restrictions more than necessary. For example, a debate whether filefactory should be banned here. Your rational explanation, in a calm tone, put everything in the right place. I find that pretty cool.

Same here. This is more than useful. Since my PC claims it's well deserved right to bask in the glory within the "vintage/classic" category itself, I'll definitely give a try to CleanMem.
Considering we, the members, made a rule of using our rights to the maximum extent, staying permanently in line with the upper limits, saving board's resources will always be voluntary based.
Maybe I'm left with the conclusion the best I should do is quit whining and upgrading my computer big time. The porn on VEF alone worths it.

Thanks for the advices and paying attention to my babbling!

[buttsie]

As to the filehost issue

The uploader will always choose whats best for them
If their looking to earn then the host they choose now
will nearly always makes access a lottery

I dont think any host is the best for everyone but for mine if we're talking pictures
then mediafire is streets ahead of the rest from a free user perspective

2 + files at a time downloading - speed as free user is what premium gets
No restriction as to what country your downloading from as MU used to do
Their downside is the uploading




As someone who spent the best part of the last decade on 56k dial-up
using PCs with 64-256ram & CPUs that simply couldnt tolerate too many processes at once i understand the large volume post x 5/10 on a page can be a nightmare.

Even now with an 8mb cable connection and a reasonable PC 2.9 CPU 2GB Ram i still find some pages simply refuse to load fully because of imagehost issues.


Another suggestion depending on exactly what computer your using would be to try the Palemoon browser...its basically firefox but its made for windows with your CPU in mind
Its an improvement on the other pseudo firefox browser made for windows - kmeleon

Gave me almost the same kind of improvement as the original chrome browser speed wise
in relation to pages loading first time i used it.

Anonym zu www.palemoon.org/

[AMON]

As someone who does post galleries for specific models, I am quite interested to read these alternatives to downloads. I have been reluctant to use downloadable links as their lifespan can be short (the exception being movies foe which I used MU 'nuff said) and can limit peoples ability to download the file, especially if they don't have an account.
I will look at trying the suggestion given by hos, and if it works, will attempt to do the same for all my previous posts, time allowing!!!

[DTravel]

This has been discussed before. The current 125 link per post limit is the compromise that was reached.

[nylonfan]

Originally Posted by DTravel

This has been discussed before. The current 125 link per post limit is the compromise that was reached.

Can you please add the link for this discussion?
As per my experience, 125 per post is better than no limitation. But my Firefox slows down to the holdup if a few posts use the maximum amount of pics.

To my shame, I use the "mass method" by myself. Knowing that is not optimal and may cause pain to some of the users here. So I appreciate Numerous One's "food for thought".