I think your logic on this is a back to front.
Not when all other factors are considered.
84% of posts on this forum come from just 25 members - those with three and four 'knots'. They are also the most prolific image posters.
Yes. And?
By contrast, the rather derogatorily named 'Newbies' rarely post and are even less likely to post images.
1. That's part of the point of limiting it to those who have
earned the privilege by contributing to this forum in one way or another.
2. No one else has complained about the term that the forum uses to identify new members. It's is an extremely common net-wide piece of terminology that has no other use than to identify people who are 'new' to a particular discussion forum and who may, at times, need assistance from other, more experienced members.
So if you want to save on limited web space by blocking certain groups you would be best served by blocking those with rankings of three 'knots' and above who generally are all well able to use the [img] tag method to present images.
I will block certain groups because I have good reason
not to allow them access to privileges which could compromise forum security. Those who have demonstrated some measure of responsilbility will eventually gain access to these same privileges. Anyone who then abuses then
in any way will find their account has been removed.
Furthermore, it is those who have not posted much that we should most encourage to join in. This is not achieved by banning them from using facilities designed to make forum use all the easier.
The ability to post attachments is not a significant constraint on discussion. There are thousands of text-only discussion areas that have been used for 20 years or more without any need for attachments.
I disagree with your decision to block this service from 'Newbies'
Your disagreement has been noted but I will await further instructions from the Web Admin or an IGKT official.
and suggest that if saving webspace is that important to you, that you consider preparing a short tutorial on how to best prepare images for posting. Tips like choice of background and use of lossy .gif formats offer big reductions in file size which would not only save on the limited webspace, but would also reduce download time for everyone.
Perhaps you could prepare such an article for your Wiki? I'm sure it would have benefits for many people well beyond this forum.
Mel, try thinking of it this way - Content is what brings people to this forum, not a big chunk of pristine empty webspace.
Thank you for your thoughts but I am very well aware of general surfing behaviours, online community development and SEO optimisation techniques. It's my job, after all. I am also aware of the potential security implications of allowing
anyone to upload binary files of any type to a server without moderation. Again, it is part of my job to do my best to protect this forum, and the associated site, from any undue attack or abuse. I consider that the current settings represent a reasonable and pragmatic compromise. If longer term evidence suggests that the forum is open to any abuse via these means, you can be sure that they will immediately be tightened.
