Slow Access on DG

I had a long answer typed out then went for the link to Winows XP Resizer in another tab (but form my favourites), but clicked DG back before it had loaded and it went into the DG tab, lost it, lol! Grr. We do learn by trying things out. I have downloaded a newer version of AOL and sometimes get it wrong, but I learn by trying. So can others learn by trying, if we don't keep trying different things we stagnate.

Ecrane, I really don't think it's a case of reducing image quality if you are posting a pic at 100kb instead of 1mb, which is ten times the file size. Computers don't need high resolution images to view, but for printing they are better. Dave's does compress them but they still come out bigger in kb size!

Large files only take up space on your computer, and make them difficult to upload to DG, and difficult for those on dial up to view. I am sure there are many more people who are on dial up and who have problems viewing pictures who don't come forward. The speed did improve last night, but I tried a large file of over 15kb which took forever to load, then I got a box with a red cross. This is not necessary for a good image.

How many times have people here said they were timed out trying to load pics, I have in a couple of instances helped some who were none the wiser about file size. These people sometimes try several times to load a pic until successful, what on earth is wrong with educating people who don't know how to resize. Surely it can only be of help to everyone concerned, I know I didn't understand the ins andouts and still don't understand it all but I am thankfully getting there. DG is about helping is it not, and helping should include all aspects of use of the site.

There are some poor images as you say, but usually they are not due to resizing (and pics can be resized UPWARDS too if they are small). Most poor images are due to the many things, the photograper's ability, the camera they use (some use mobile phones), and their knowledge on how to deal with a picture after downloading to their computer, i.e cropping, contrast etc.

If an image is too large that I cannot open it on the ID forum then I won't be able to help either!

A picture resized will NOT be of a poorer quality. Any image over 100kb is more difficult to enlarge, but up to 200kb sometimes is unavoidable and is OK although takes a little longer to load. I found when it was very slow on DG anything over a compressed size of 3kb took too long to enlarge, up to 5kb was acceptable but over that I gave them a miss and still do unless I am really interested.

To limit ones pictures to a limited audience, that is those who have fast connections, is not a good thing to do in my opinion. In most cases people are unaware of the difficulties, and I appreciate those who make the effort to resize. Some may struggle to get to grips with it, but it is really very easy once one knows how. I only wish I had known more about it when I had larger files, the times I got frustrated because it took forever to load a picture as you well know, lol.

For Winows XP users, if anyone wants the resizer, it takes very little time to download and is free.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

For those with other computers a google will reveal many free downloads if you search for 'image resizer'

A single right click on the thumbnail in 'My Pictures' will open a menu of options. This is where the resizer will be, 'Resize Picture', open with a single left click. There you will find options for different screen viewing sizes, select one and click 'OK' The resized picture will be at the end of your thumbnails. Easy! You don't lose the original, and you can delete whatever you want after.


Thanks for that explanation Terry!

wallaby, I think what ecrane was referring to is when people think they need to upload a thumbnail-size version. That does create a poor image - the watermark usually takes up the entire image, and it won't enlarge ;o)

We encourage people to try .jpg format rather than .gif or .bmp - that can also save on file size (but it does decrease res quality; but as you pointed out, in an online environment, that isn't as important as when the image is going to be printed.)

Yes, that's exactly the sort of thing that I was talking about. I think the key thing to keep in mind is that if you are comfortable with the picture functions on your computer or in your photo software, then it's absolutely possible to downsize and keep good quality. But there's a wide range of computer experience levels here, and there are many people who are not as comfortable with those functions and can easily end up making their pictures too small or too low resolution to be useful.

I am raising my glass of wine to the hopes of the 4th server being replaced! Actually I have not had any trouble today. Thanks!

I found out by chance that when I renew McAfee each year , it takes forever to access the internet .I was told to unplug the dsl chord for a few minutes and then plug it back in . It works. Once I got on the internet it was still slow until I did that . When I shut off everything for a few months , It does the same thing when I plug the computer back in and turn it on . Don't know about that other stuff , but you might try this .