[QUOTE=Norsky]Displaying an image is a multistep process. Not difficult, but it causes problems for a lot of folks because there are several different methods that could be used. There are a bunch of threads on the site related to this topic and all seem to generate confusion instead of eliminating it. A general "how to post pictures" help text is in the works but for now hope this helps.
Some basics:
Image Size: Images consume a large amount of bandwidth when being downloaded to your computer screen. Folks with high speed internet connectivity (cable/DSL/satelite/etc) hardly notice it because their tranmission speed is so fast. But folks who have internet access only through telephone dial-up experience long page loading times because the transmission speed is much, much slower. The larger the image the longer it takes to download to your computer.
So to be kind to those members who do not have high speed internet connectivity the following image sizes are recommended:
Images in signatures - maximum size 200 X 200 pixels
Images in posts (new/reply) - maximum size 400 X 400 pixels
There is a ton of image software programs out there to assist in resizing images. One that works well and is FREE (with most Mircosoft operating systems) is MS Paint.
Image file name: I would strongly recommend not to use spaces in your image file name. Spaces can cause headaches in both uploading and displaying your image file. If you don't like the name all run together (like myfilename) use a dash or underscore to break it up (like my-file-name or my_file_name).
Image file type: As a rule the .jpg file type will produce a smaller sized file of equal image quality. You can certainly use other file types but if you compare the file sizes of other types you will see that the .jpg type is consistently smaller, which takes less time to download to your computer when displayed in a page.
Displaying or linking to your image:
Now that the basics are covered you need to have your image files stored on an internet server. Again there is a ton of image hosting sites out there. Just make sure the one you choose to use has the option to allow you to display your image from outside their website. Many do not allow it so beware.
The Personal File Folder here on C3VR does allow it and is available to all C3VR members to store a limited amount of images. A link to the PFF can be found on the "My Account" menu tab/page. The directions for uploading and managing your PFF space are on the page and easy to follow.
After getting your image files uploaded the real fun begins. The simplest way I know to display an image or to link to it is to use the IMG or URL HTML tag syntax. The best place to see how this syntax looks and works is to click on the Forum Codes link which is found just under the text boxes where you enter your Signature or Message text. The section labeled "IMAGES and LINKS" contains examples for displaying an image or making a clickable link to display your image.
After getting your image syntax entered check to see if you did it correctly by clicking on the "Preview Post" button found under the Message text box or by clicking on the "Signature Preview" link found under the Signature text box. Both will open another browser window and show you the results of your work. If something isn't quite right you can toggle back to the text area, correct the syntax, and reclick the button or link to view your correction. (btw - if you already have a signature built and you are previewing a message your signature will not be displayed in the message preview.)
Hope this helps. If you have any trouble with the process feel free to contact myself or any moderator and we'll be happy to help as best we can.[/QUOTE]
You are certainly not the first to ask about this, and you will most certainly not be the last!
It can be confusing, but, take it from me...if
I can do it, anyone can! It took me a while to get it down, but it really is quite simple once you have done it a few times.
Just be sure the pics are the correct size...that is the most important issue.
Anyone that needs help with sig pics, or just posting a pic/link, I'm always happy to help...it's what I do.
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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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