Image posting : The little blue question mark

[tariely 4,496]

When I transited to Simtropolis, after SimPeg's demise, I didn't quite know how it worked here, especially for uploading images for a CJ. I foolishly used the "Choose files" function to upload images from my computer -- and quickly maxed out and couldn't do it anymore. Then I understood I had to use the "insert other medias" and "insert image from URL" functions, using my Photobucket account -- as I did on SimPeg ! All went swimmingly until a few weeks ago, when I was making my last CJ entry. it began to take a long time to upload and then not to upload  : after a more or less long waiting time, I got a little square with a question mark instead of the picture.

At some point I thought the problem was when pasting the image URL from Photobucket : when it didn't work the first time I did it, I went again through the whole process, but although the pasting windows seemed empty, the URL was still there (although I dind't see it) so it was repeated two or three times (I realized that after a while.) "Of course it doesn't work !", I thought, elated. So I carefully made sure the pasting window was empty before pasting the URL. To no avail.

The strange thing is, if I open a new post and upload an image there, it works the first time, normally and fast. Then the problem reappears.

I've seen that small square with a question mark inside in several CJs or posts : mostly because (I was told) the image had been moved or deleted from the image host. Which is not the case here. I also saw it when for some reason there was a general slowdown on simtrop' ; for instance, one time, as I was trying to visit Paeng's CJ, it showed up with no images but only those small squares with a question mark inside. I was devastated -- such a loss ! -- until Paeng assured me Journey into Paengia was still there, and indeed when I went back, the images did load up.

 I just can't continue CJing until that problem is solved. Has anyone experienced this too, what is happening, and what should I do ?

[rsc204 21,815]

I found the service with Photobucket a little flaky of late too.

Removing the end part of the URL pasted from PB "~original" seems to help the images to show.

 

 

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Sites that deliver image URLs with added nonsense after the image-type extension confuse this software.  If you get something that doesn't end in with an extension giving your file type (*.jpg, *.png, etc) try trimming it back in the pasting box before submission.  Seems some of these sites are getting too full of themselves, especially those that are considered 'social network' sites.  They seem to have forgotten that the purpose of copying a URL for an image is generally to paste it elsewhere with the intention of displaying the image.

This is one of the many curses of our "friends" at Microsoft.  The idea of giving a file type by using an extension is really some sort of cop-out when the type of file can generally be determined by reading the first sector in raw mode and doing a small amount of analysis.

For those who might be curious, you might pick up a hexadecimal editor and have a look at some of your files.  I've yet to find one that didn't identify itself somewhere in the first few bytes unless it is encrypted.

[tariely 4,496]

oh, THANKS, guys ! I'm going to see to it.  You may have saved my CJs !

Let' see... Happy Dance :

YESSS ! IT WORKS !!!!! I love you guys.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Watch out for software that is too 'sofisticato' as our Italian friends put it.  General meaning is polluted as in 'vino sofisticao'.

[rsc204 21,815]

Geez you can't post that sort of porn here! Fluffy smut is not acceptable!

I'm not sure if PB changed something, but all my old links are very unreliable these days. Yet most of them work, I really don't understand, I can't find any mention of recent changes searching google so I'm at a loss to explain it. I would say it was the site, except I've noticed this with SC4D too :(.

At least there is a fix.

16 minutes ago, A Nonny Moose said:

Watch out for software that is too 'sofisticato' as our Italian friends put it.  General meaning is polluted as in 'vino sofisticao'.

Seriously, have you tried to get free image hosting without jumping through some loops? This sort of thing is inevitable since PB have to monetise their service somehow. Unlike some of the other hosting sites who've turned most of the old tutorials and CJ's into dust, at least PB is still offering a free service.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

imgur, which used to be a subscription service with a free lead-in has managed to monetize their site without need for subscriptions and that service is now free.

In all cases of freebies, remember that what you get is worth what you paid.