Snarkpit Forum Index » General Banter » The Snarkpit Relaunch
The Snarkpit Relaunch
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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by RedWood on Wed Apr 2nd at 6:02pm 2008

Ok, they change over. It just took several hours. Thats one hell of a lag...


Reality has become a commodity.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Gwil on Wed Apr 2nd at 6:06pm 2008

If they uploaded there and then, it was a cache issue. I can assure you they haven't been uploading for hours. You just needed to refresh.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by RedWood on Wed Apr 2nd at 6:17pm 2008

I just tested it. Looks like your right. Maybe the site should be edited so that people don't get confused like i did. Maybe have the cash change with the picture. (im just guessing, i have no idea how a web site works)


Reality has become a commodity.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Gwil on Wed Apr 2nd at 6:53pm 2008

I see your point! I'll add a message to remind people to refresh (hard refresh) after uploading, as to confirm the upload worked.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Le Chief on Thu Apr 3rd at 4:09am 2008

Actually It would be nice if you could use your map images from other websites (imageshack....) as a thumbnail image for your maps. If you want a thumbnail for your maps, you have to upload the images to snarkpit, could this be changed?


Aaron's Stuff



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by larchy on Mon Apr 7th at 8:39am 2008

Firstly I would say that that decision is a useability issue. Linking to offsite images can be troublesome due to lack of control over the content, loading speeds (if an offsite link is slow it would reflect badly on snarkpit as it would appear that it is the fault of the latter - ditto bandwidth limits - imageshack errors don't look very good!), images getting moved/deleted over time etc There is also the issue of how to handle thumbnail previews for offsite images.

That said, the way the whole site has been put together over the years is a little haphazard, and whilst it is possible to link to offsite images for, say, a tutorial it isn't for maps. There are quite a few inconsistencies like this.

Also, a lot of maps now aren't actually hosted on snarkpit and just include a link to filefront or wherever. Since most maps aren't actually hosted here linking to offsite images etc is perhaps less of an issue anyway.... but it'd be down to Gwil to change the current policy.

~~~~~

Secondly, as things have been kinda bodged together piece by piece over the years there is no single system for managing images across all the various sections of the site and its a bit of a task trying to unravel how everything fits together in some places.

To add linking to offsite images for maps it would probably require an extra column on the database table and a bunch more code to implement, which might not be the best idea given that the whole thing is already straining quite a bit performance-wise.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Le Chief on Mon Apr 7th at 12:17pm 2008

Oh ok, thanks larchy <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">


Aaron's Stuff



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Crono on Mon Apr 7th at 9:43pm 2008

It wouldn't be particularly difficult to take remotely hosted images (like you currently can) then create thumbnails from those and host those on SP, where as the large images are hosted elsewhere. Which is half of what hosting images here does already for maps, you could just use more. (hopefully) This would also make it relatively the same size for a map entry. It'd be cool to figure out some compression methods for the maps themselves to be small enough to be hosted on SP ... but, whatever.

But the "blame", in general, for poorly hot-linked images falls on the user who posts them. Also, keep in mind, that many maps already have missing images.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by larchy on Tue Apr 8th at 7:48am 2008

Well yeah... you can grab offsite images via http and bung them through gd to create thumbnails, but I think that may potentially introduce more problems m8

For example there would be the issue of how to synchronise thumbnails with offsite images, as there would be no way of knowing if the offsite images were updated... so the thumbs would still be of older images.

You could just grab the fullsize image too and resize&host that on snarkpit, but I think that would be somewhat futile because if you're going do that you may as well just get people to upload the images in the first place.


I would prefer not to introduce anything like this that could potentially cause problems in the future.


I did a new system for handling the mirrors of a map which lets you add as many as you like, and also lets people report dead links. I suppose something similar for the images might work too.

Can you post a link to a map with missing images? I have seen several without any images, but none with missing images where there should be some. I would like to see what has caused the problem as there might be a way to fix it. Thanks!



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by reaper47 on Tue Apr 8th at 10:18am 2008

I don't like the idea of having 5 "offical" screens that are hosted outside, have no restrictions regarding image-size and no thumbnails. I'd rather see the 3 hosted images being the only "offical" map images. If the mapper needs more to present the map, there can always be links to external sites (like the current "additional information" link). 3 images with fixed file-size and resolution + thumbnails would be ideal. The 5 external ones are mostly dead links or ridiculous sizes since there is no control.


Why snark works.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Gwil on Tue Apr 8th at 3:08pm 2008

What reaper posted pretty much reflects my feelings on the issue. Disk space used by 3 restricted jpgs is minimal, and it guarantees integrity (well, supposedly) for future viewing.

Maps, I prefer we try and get things uploaded to the site, but as I recall we discussed this in the past some time larchy? Especially regarding growing file sizes.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by larchy on Thu Apr 10th at 11:33am 2008

Righty, I've fiddled on with the new map upload page this mornign to try to find the best way of handling this... you can now select how many screens you want to upload with a map, and the number is controllable via the new site config file.

Yeah we discussed the map size issue a while back and I made it so that you could control the maximum allowable filesize via the site config file... so no real worries there, its just down to how large you want your hosted files to be.

A possible issue might be that most hosts restrict maximum upload filesize to a certain number of MB. I would think this would be the biggest restriction you'll run into... but tbh with modern map sizes being really quite large it may be best to encourage people to use somewhere like filefront and simply add mirror links.

You can add as many mirror locations as you like with the new system, and there will be a system for reporting dead links so I hope that would be a good practical way of still maintaining a great map archive but not getting bogged down with massive costs for large diskspace and bandwidth useage.

[ Edited by larchy on Thu Apr 10th 2008 at 11:44am - total edits: 1]




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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Orpheus on Thu Apr 17th at 6:41pm 2008

*looks at uberlords*

Snarkpit needs synced again. The pages, aren't matching the posts again.

/2cents

As for images. Set a guide. Stick to it with NO EXCEPTIONS. If someone fails to follow the rule about size-shape-quantity, cancel their ability to post any screens. 'nuff said.

Snarkpit has been far to lenient about this and the policing of inconsiderate members is not worth the grief it causes. All it does is aggravate long timers against one another over a simple issue.

My longtime complaint seemed like I harped on size, but the root of the real issue was our inability and/or unwillingness to enforce any set standard.

When I return full time, I intend to be in a position here to rectify ANY image shortfalls.





The best things in life, aren't things.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Orpheus on Thu Apr 17th at 9:20pm 2008

This particular connection at the motel I am staying at has a pretty good connection: 1.5 DL and 768 UP speeds and Snarkpit is still slower than most any website. Are we still giving considerations as to another, more reliable host Master Gwil?

In fact yesterday when I got here, the pages were taking upwards of a minute, to a minute 30 to load. Today, 15 to 30 seconds, so its not as bad but even 15 seconds on broadband is a lot.

I would still be interested in giving�a bit of financial assistance to the cause if you need some help.

Of course, getting a hold of me is difficult BUT if you contact Juim, Brasso, Monqui, Nickelplate or Bewbies, they all have my cell phone number. They can pass along a message.





The best things in life, aren't things.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Le Chief on Thu Apr 17th at 10:09pm 2008

? quoting Orpheus
more reliable host Master Gwil?


That would cost more money. I am just thankful that he is paying what ever cost it is to keep this site running and all the folks here.


Aaron's Stuff



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Orpheus on Thu Apr 17th at 10:38pm 2008

I can only stay on this computer for a few minutes at a time as its a public machine for the hotel.

I have not had a chance to read this thread through but I gather from your post Aaron that Snarkpit has already switched hosts???

If so, I am not impressed, or not impressed very much since as I said, the pages are still loading irregularly. Currently, they are loading fastly, but how long do you reckon it will last... <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/sad.gif">





The best things in life, aren't things.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Le Chief on Thu Apr 17th at 10:40pm 2008

As far as I am aware, snarkpit is with the same host. But getting a better host will cost more money then the current host..


Aaron's Stuff



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Gwil on Thu Apr 17th at 10:53pm 2008

Not necessarily, I did scout out some decent looking hosts that came in or around the same price as the current one. I'm loathe to move the host until next Jan/Feb because

1) it'll be a big job!
2) the current hosting is paid up until that point
3) money is tight (isn't it always!)

Regardless, I reflect your concerns Orpheus and will keep looking into alternative hosting options. Globat have pissed me off anyway, they need a slap.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Orpheus on Thu Apr 17th at 11:48pm 2008

My thoughts go out with you Master Gwil. If you need assistance, call.

Call in advance though since I am out of touch generally at present.

Don't wait till you need me, before you reach out. I'd rather send you some money for no reason, than send it to late.





The best things in life, aren't things.



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 Re: The Snarkpit Relaunch
Posted by Orpheus on Sat Apr 19th at 11:55pm 2008

Suggestion: If this has already been proposed, feel free to consider it a second vote.

Reviews need to be coded so that new ones go on the front page as "New News."

In fact, the review section has no real notification of additions when made.





The best things in life, aren't things.




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