Gallery?

[steve]

I have seen a number of very cool open source photo gallery applications that I could easily install for this site.

There are pluses and minuses for installing such an application:

The pluses:

Easier navigation
Gives the user more control
You don't have to find a place to host your files so you can post them here

The minuses:

It takes the images out of the forum (of course they could be referenced back to here)
Takes up space on my server

[Kathy]

I'm going to think about it before I vote.
But I'll give you my thoughts both +/-.

I definately think it would be beneficial especially for those who don't have server space to store pics they want to show. It would also make things flow and load easier within the forum itself since we wouldn't have possibly image heavy threads/posts.

On the negative size...I like to see the image people are referencing right there without having to open a new window. This is something that is personal preference and of a purely convience nature and doesn't really take away from my "forum experience" when I have to open a new window to view an image. The other neg. is wondering if this might create server issues in the future as you mentioned the images would be stored on your server.

Kathy

[tiedyejudy]

Hi, Steve.  I guess the question of whether to store images on your server or not would depend on what else you plan on using the server for.  My hubby has a server primarily because he needed space to store video files to offer for download.  They take up a large amount of space and it was (seemingly) more economical to buy a server than pay a webhost if we could have found one who would allow such files to be stored.  If you plan to use it for e-commerce, I would suggest saving the server for that use.  But if you do decide to allow images on the server, naturally it would be best if you limit the size of the image.
Since I have my own website, it's no biggie for me to upload there and point to the image.  For those who don't have that advantage, I have seen several free services where they can upload pix to share with others.  

Judy

[steve]

I'm beginning to think that a gallery of sorts may be to our advantage in some cases. Particularly in the case of photos or illustrations that provide information such as the color swatches and Kathy's instructional series. That way we don't have to worry about losing links or things disappearing.

I back up fairly regularly--every couple days minimally. Additionally, if I ever tire of this, I'll pass the information and find it a good home on rather than just taking it away.
 

Steve

[steve]

Okay--I uploaded a gallery and I am playing with the settings. It is possible to integrate it with the forum They warn that the gallery should be set up independently and fully tested at first.

The advantage with integration is that the user database is shared between the forum and the gallery making life simpler.

Ought to have something going this weekend!

Steve

[steve]

I have played with a couple of image galleries and gotten them to work properly. One is Gallery 2 and the other is Coppermine.

They both are fine, but Coppermine offers integration with the forum. In other terms, I can configure it pick up the user database from the forum which means that all forum members would automatically have gallery accounts.

Take a peak at them if you like and give them a try. Be aware, that all data accounts and pictures will be lost if I integrate the gallery with the forum. Regard anything you put in the galleries as temporary!

http://www.itiedye.com/gallery

http://www.itiedye.com/pictures

You can get the url for the image in either program by right clicking on the image and selecting "copy image address". This makes it easy to post   images in the forum.

Please post feedback and preferences here!

Steve

[steve]

I plan to integrate the Coppermine gallery into this site tomorrow. This means that all images will be lost. The integration should consolidate the two areas to one log in.

If you have images, please make sure you have back-up copies so you can upload them again. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause!

Steve

[steve]

The gallery is fully integrated with a back button to return tothe forum. All users on the forum have an account with the gallery. If you are logged in for the forum, you are logged in the gallery as well.

You can access the gallery by clicking on the gallery button in the header menu.

Each member has 2 MB of storage space.

Show us your best stuff!

Steve

[Kathy]

I am a dolt! I never got you feedback, though I meant to, but the forces of the universe impeded it  
Anyways...my feedback would have been in favor of the copper mine. Liked the layout and its the one that didn't give me trouble registering.


Kathy