A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2006 Mr. Mean

As much as I hate to do it, sometimes I have to be the bad guy who says NO!

I am referring to "Hot Linking" to animations and graphics from other web sites.... Hot linking is when you create a link directly to files on a different site, rather than to a web page.

The problem with this is that you are basically stealing the bandwidth that the owner of the site has paid for. It puts an extra load on the owner's server, slowing that site down for legitimate visitors.

Webmasters are only allowed a certain amount of bandwidth usage before they are charged extra fees, and even though the graphics may be small in size, they tend to add up when a lot of people start hot linking.

This bandwidth theft by members of other message boards has become enough of a significant problem for me that I have been planning on removing the entire animation collection from this site...... sigh...... something I do not want to have to do! (These people who have been hotlinking to our images appear to only visit The Garden Helper to grab the URLs to use elsewhere)

I know that many of you have been enjoying the ability to decorate your posts with graphics, and I'm not about to ruin your fun. However, I'm afraid that we'll have to set a rule or two....

First and foremost... DO NOT hotlink to graphics or files from sites! This does not mean that you can't provide a link to a web page on a different site, nor to your own photographs located elsewhere.

I will remove illegal hotlinks to any other type of file.

Rather than removing my collection, I will leave it intact, but soon I will be setting it up to only be accessed with a password which I will gladly provide to members of OUR forum.

Your are welcome to hotlink to OUR collection of graphics. Please don't use excessive amounts in any single post because this slows the loading time of pages for people using dialup connections.

If you'd like to add a graphic to your post, go to http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Animationsgraphics.html and search through the collection until you find what fits your mood.

If you use Netscape, right click on the image, then select "copy image location" You can then paste this URL int the UBB "Image" pop up box and post it.

If you use Internet Explorer, right click on the image, then select "properties" (at the bottom of the list). Highlight the web URL, then copy it and paste into the UBB "Image" pop up box and post it.

I don't like making rules or being a mean old man, but... I have to do what is right. I hope that you all understand!

Have fun!!!

Ah, Bill, you're not a meanie at all. Although I don't throrughly understand the hot-linking stuff, I do understand about maintaining a reasonably tight ship and protecting what you have, here. Hooray for your dilligence. I only just learned about how to use this site's animations and I'm glad you're reserving stuff just for us. Right on!

I'm sorry Bill - I agree with everything that Jillie has said. And I, too, don't know much about how these things work. So, please, go ahead and do what you need to do to keep these forums as wonderful as they are. I've never heard of hotlinking before - is that when you take the properties link from a picture and post that? So, would that mean that I shouldn't use the picture in my signature either?

Whatever is best for the gardenhelper is what I shall do. Thanks again for providing the opportunity for us to be here! <img border="0" alt="[clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" />

Shhhhhhhhh... I fixed it so you could keep your signature button, Lynne!

THANK YOU SO MUCH, oh KING of forum websites!!!

mums the word!!!

Bill, a man has to do what a man has to do, and I am glad you are using INTEGRITY in your web site. Thanks for the heads up!

By the way, integrity and honor are a lot more attractive than pretty pictures!!

Ditto Jiffy!!!!

Weezie

Just curious Bill ~

does this also mean that we cannot use different color fonts here that take certain codes? I just learned about this at another site and was wondering if this would mess things up here also?

No, I'm afraid that you can't set font colors or styles. That takes HTML coding which I chose to disallow for members use. I decided to only allow the UBB code which uses an entirely different set of tags. Improper HTML coding could definately make a mess that I would have to track down and clean up.

Sorry!

Okie dokie - that's fine.

Was just wondering...

You are not so mean, Bill. We all think you're wonderful. Thanks for explaining why those pics are a no-no in such a nice way.

I agree too!! Most people who spend time on boards, know that is a common rule of courtesy, but sometimes newbies don't realize so it's good to explain just what it is.

I just posted a couple of photos on the

"posting your own photos" thread - a grass, and a bird.

Was that what you call hot linking?

It seems that that traces to my webpage, but I'm just a learner on this stuff, you let me know.

Thanks.

Hi M.D., Welcome to our little group! It's nice to have another Northwesterner here....

No, that is not "hot linking" because they are your photos, on your site, and that is just fine!

Hot linking would be if I were to use your photo on my site (using your servers facilities...) under the premise that it was my picture... (does that make sense?)

i.e. If I were to say "this is MY picture!" ---->

Bill,

Your profile indicates Sultan, Wa - I had never heard of that city before, but I have now. You are not far away.

The farthest north I went this year, was Ape Caves, not far from Mount St. Helens.

Thanks for the assistance.

This forum is 1000 times better then *********.... thanks for letting me help all out here. ********* told me to participate on their boards i had to advertise with them because i am a business (but i don't make my living from homeowners)

Thanks again for letting me share my info and photos.

Suzanne
aka Buglady

You are a blessing to the site and for ALL the people who buzz through here!!

Thanks BugLady for sharing your knowledge!!!!

Greeting Bill,

I was just browsing looking for a new gardening site when I came across yours.

I have had much problems with hotlink of my personal stuff I set up for my gaming friends, gardeners, and food smoking friend.

I don't know if you have solve your problem, but I did using a simple program. It is off of PC Man Web site. It allows you to enter the URL that are permitted to link/ use your images etc. All other sites cannot link. Just put your site's URL in the first "allowed" and no other URL and that is it it. Download the file that is creates and then upload it into the directory you want protected. Or if you want your whole site protected then place it in your root directory.

PC ManWebSite

BTW I have a sig-pic but have not set it up. I linked it below. Please tell me if there is a problem with me using it.
Thanks.

Hi Raye! Welcome to our forum, and thank you for the "no hot link" link!
You are welcome to use your Pineapple Raye photo as your signature....

Hello Everyone,

I just joined this site today, and I am finding a wonderful, very soul-filled group. As a gardener, and someone who truly feels that this is a gift from God, I see that this group is very sharing, loving and knowledgable. Please, keep the information flowing (as best as we can). This site is very much needed as gardeners, we need as much educated information as possible. Yes, some may share their experience that will not be as accurate as can be, however, we must use discernment..as much as possible. The information is sent with the best of intentions..We only can share what we have experienced...

Kindest Regards,
Karen

I have my own web site where I store my graphics for posting. If you need help with your bandwidth I'd be willing to donate through Paypal to help.

I can make a payment through Paypal to anyone with an e-mail address.

I don't think Bill accepts any donations, but I'll be glad to give you my email address if you want to put it in my Pay Pal account!


(Oh, I'm just kidding, Bill!)
(I can just see Bill giving me this look !)

Cindy

Thank you for the offer, Avalon, but Cindy is right. I decided long ago that I wouldn't take money from our members or guests to support the site. I do appreciate the offer though... to me, that's better than money! (because it shows me that you're happy here)

Uhhh......
So, who calls you "Mr. Mean"?

I was called Mr. Mean when I used to drive the school bus (but I really wasn't mean..... I just didn't take any guff from the lil darlins.. )
When I posted this topic, the name seemed to fit!