This is how I include photos in my posts using ISOC's own VB Image Host facility.
This is for new posters. It is just how I do it and there are dozens of other approaches which may suit other posters more. Please add any suggestions for improvements to this thread.
1. I create a temporary folder on my Desktop for all the pics I wish to upload in the current operation. (After I am done I delete this folder and its contents).
2. I make copies of the pics I wish to upload and save them with "intelligible" names (rather than the string of numbers which my camera offers) for storage for possible future re-use.
3. I reduce the size of the copies to not more than 960 pixels wide x 720 tall (or vice versa). I use Photoshop simply because I happen to have it but there are many other image handling programs available on the net for free. A good one is IrfanView.
It is not essential to reduce the dimensions because VB Image Host will do this automatically if you do not, but I prefer to keep control over the process. The purpose of reducing the picture dimensions is to avoid it "stretching" the page when viewed full-size and causing scrollbars to appear. (I hate horizontal scrollbars!). Of course, there are rare occasions when it may be necessary to view the pic full-size. Maps, for example.
As well as reducing the dimensions I reduce the image quality in Photoshop in order to minimise the file-size. 60% is more than adequate for online pics and usually results in a file-size of 300/400 Kb. This will speed up uploading and also picture loading onto the page.
4. Click on "VB Image Host" (second from right on upper menu bar). Click on "Upload an Image".
5. Browse to the location of your first pic on your local drive. In my case it will be the temporary folder on my Desktop (see stage 1 above). Click on "Open" which will cause the filepath to be entered into the first box on VB Image Host.
6. Repeat this process for your 2nd (...Nth) picture. You are allowed a maximum of 10 in one upload operation.
7. When you have 10 (or fewer) pictures entered, click on "Host It". Wait patiently!
8. Eventually you will see your pic (or pics) as thumbnails (together with all associated data) in your VB Image Host "Library". Note that, by default, your pictures are held as "Private" and can only be seen by other members if you paste them into your posts (as below). If you are happy for members to browse through any of your pictures in the VB Image Host "library" then you can click on "Set Public Image". You can mix n'match, some Private, some Public.
9. If I am doing one of my usual longwinded reports I usually compose it in Notepad first, and post the picture references into it at that stage. For a short post I paste the picture reference straight into the text box on the thread page.
10. To add the picture reference to your text, go to the top box (BB Code Image). Copy the whole content, including the opening and closing IMG tags. Be sure to include the opening and closing square brackets. Paste this into your text at the desired point. I always leave a line space above and below the pasted-in picture refererence.
11. When your post/report is complete, check the results by clicking on "Preview Post" before "sending" it.
12. If you have a lot of picture references to paste into a long report you may prefer to open a second window with another copy of ISOC showing your stored pictures. It is easier to copy the picture references here and paste into your report in the other window. Of course if you are composing your report in Notepad first this is unnecessary.
Originally Posted by whynotme
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