Due to decreasing use over the years, I have decided to disable the forum functionality of the site.

Forums will still be available to view but new posts are no longer allowed.

Hotlinking

Jenks June 05, 2010 February 22, 2011

Forums

If it is not already a rule, it should be - and I cannot find it. We should not allow users to hotlink to sites that have not authorized it. It should be simply something people agree not to do. It is indeed using up bandwidth that someone else pays for. And I don't know what's going on between ACC and doublebarr, but any further discussion needs to be taken off the board or db should be made to leave. ACC, don't take any bait. Is MP the only other admin? I think that MP should send db an email stating we will review the rules and that she should not continue this bantering back and forth with Audrey. Info on hotlinking for those of you who don't know: http://altlab.com/hotlinking.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I would also suggest that we make sure our images cannot be used in this manner- I just checked and they can.

Daylene Alford Sat, 06/05/2010 - 11:15

It is already a rule that users are not supposed to post images without permission.

The only way to absoulty prevent hotlinking is to deny the use of the tags. I would rather not do this as it prevents users from linking to legit sites like photobucket. There is a setting that I can change in the site control panel to prevent hotlinking. I'll think about enabling it. This account actually has unlimited bandwidth (although I'm sure they would limit it if we ate up huge amounts) so I haven't worried about it much.

I'm on my in-laws dialup so not going to fool around with settings right now. I'll be home tomarrow.

accphotography Sat, 06/05/2010 - 11:50

I'm not saying this in my defense, it's just a piece of information... hotlinking uses the same bandwidth as just posting the links to the photos. Posting the links is NOT saving them anything.

If the members of this forum choose to rule that posting images using the [img] tag is not allowed, so be it, but keep in mind it would be a personal rule of this forum as it is not illegal based on everything I have read.

Beyond that, these photos were posted on a forum MUCH, MUCH, MUCH larger than this one and thus are using tremendous bandwidth there, yet they're (not even the owner, but a friend) choosing to pursue it on the basis of a bandwidth issue. Let alone the fact that once the tags were removed this person has continued to rant. She's been visiting this forum for years but only posts now to do this? Yeah... interesting.

I know her and her history, I could share, but I am NOT going on a slander campaign like she is, even in private. Her personal agenda against me (for who knows what reason... certainly not I) is really irrelevant IMO.

Maigray Sat, 06/05/2010 - 13:32

Okay...not sure what is going on, but I do think we do need to have a discussion about what exactly is at issue here and also on Fair Use and if it conflicts with our own policies.

Daylene Alford Sat, 06/05/2010 - 14:32

That is not correct ACC hotlinking does use more bandwidth than just posting a link. Hotlinking loads the photo from their website whenever the forum is viewed (thus using their bandwidth). Posting a linking only uses the bandwidth if the link is followed to their website.

accphotography Sat, 06/05/2010 - 14:35

Every time that thread is opened... true. However how many people click the thread that don't also click the link? Semantics I know... but still. That is CLEARLY not the issue with DB IMO.

Daylene Alford Sat, 06/05/2010 - 14:37

Can you post a link to the thread? I'm trying to find it but its slow going.

thanks

Daylene Alford Sat, 06/05/2010 - 15:08

I found the thread and read through it. If your going to hotlink ACC please post a link to the website along with the photo. That way at least credit is being given for the photo.

Jenks Sat, 06/05/2010 - 15:10

That's why I said it should just be agreed on - I agree Daylene - you should not make it a setting....

accphotography Sat, 06/05/2010 - 15:15

Not a problem. Well, it still would have been a problem for this person, but you know how that goes.

lipigirl Sun, 06/06/2010 - 06:15

It's hard but Admin and Mods have to be whiter than white as we are the examples to the board - althought it's not always easy and I agree there is something else going on here against ACC....lets hope that's the end of it all now. ;-)

Jenks Sun, 06/06/2010 - 07:11

Agreed Lipi. As admins and mods we have to keep the best interest of the site - and Daylene's liability - in mind and keep it over your own feelings about people or theories.