Why no posting links to outside sites?

[bardofely]

A notice appears saying 'Please only post, or link to images that are in the Wild About Britain gallery,' which to my mind spells the end of a lot of very valuable information being added here! How can people refer others to sites with info and images not here with this rule in place? Seems a very much closed shop attitude and doesn't make for a very free interchange of information about wildlife by people who are interested and knowledgeable in the subject!

A friend recommended this site to me, and having a lifetime of interest in wildlife and much experience as well as writing professionally about the subject for 2 newspapers - Tenerife News and Tenerife Sun - I came here thinking this sounded a great forum to be involved with, but if I am unable to point people to sites and images that answer the questions more fully then I am very disappointed with how this place is set up!

Perhaps someone will address my concerns and please explain why it is like this?

[Susie]

This is a great forum. There are loads of friendly and extremely knowledgeable people on here.

I won't be uploading photos anymore, but that is just my personal choice. As I am neither knowledgeable nor likely to come across any great finds it is no loss.

Anyway, that doesn't answer your question, but I am sure someone will explain.

[Olly]

I thought the thread regarding linking to external sites (Please stop using third party website images) only referred to using images hosted on other websites as it proves problematic to maintain as WAb has no control over them.

As far as i'm aware there are no problems providing links to other sites for reference.

Hopefully a mod can clarify.

Olly

[matt_xyz]

the thread that Olly refers to above provides all the information that you need. We are simply asking members to not embed images in threads if the images are hosted elsewhere. The reason is simple; if the URL of the hosted image changes we are left with lots of disjointed threads that no longer contain the relevant images. This has already happened to many WAB threads and we are trying to prevent it happening again.

You are obviously still allowed to refer to other websites and provide links to them if relevant. Our rule applies only to embedding images.

We thanks everyone for their support and co-operation. These rules aren't introduced for no reason, they are intended to make the moderation and management of the site run more smoothly. Please bear in mind that all of this moderation and management is undertaken by unpaid volunteers.

Matt

[fbcpmike]

Originally Posted by bardofely

A notice appears saying 'Please only post, or link to images that are in the Wild About Britain gallery,' which to my mind spells the end of a lot of very valuable information being added here! How can people refer others to sites with info and images not here with this rule in place? Seems a very much closed shop attitude and doesn't make for a very free interchange of information about wildlife by people who are interested and knowledgeable in the subject!

The rule only applies to a poster adding his/her own photos, where the usual methods apply, add photo to the appropriate forum and link to that forum photo. A link to another site (like mine in the signature) is ok, should that site have photos so be it, as Matt said in the first post.

Consider - you add a photo from an external photo hosting site, the ultimate bad thing happens and that site is compromised / hacked and all those photos are replaced with porn, enough said. Mostly the problem arises when the photos on the site are removed but the WAB links still point there - disjointed WAB posts.

Originally Posted by bardofely

I came here thinking this sounded a great forum to be involved with, but if I am unable to point people to sites and images that answer the questions more fully then I am very disappointed with how this place is set up!. Perhaps someone will address my concerns and please explain why it is like this?

WAB still is a great site, "fair and frank discussions" at times but thats fine.
If you have a photo for a forum thread then load it to WAB, it's safe there and we can all see it without the risk of some internet thug muggling it.

[Pete]

I understand the logic of the decision but I'd never stick my images on WAB or any other forum for that matter. Im my case though that is no great loss

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by bardofely

A notice appears saying 'Please only post, or link to images that are in the Wild About Britain gallery,' which to my mind spells the end of a lot of very valuable information being added here! How can people refer others to sites with info and images not here with this rule in place? Seems a very much closed shop attitude and doesn't make for a very free interchange of information about wildlife by people who are interested and knowledgeable in the subject!

A friend recommended this site to me, and having a lifetime of interest in wildlife and much experience as well as writing professionally about the subject for 2 newspapers - Tenerife News and Tenerife Sun - I came here thinking this sounded a great forum to be involved with, but if I am unable to point people to sites and images that answer the questions more fully then I am very disappointed with how this place is set up!

Perhaps someone will address my concerns and please explain why it is like this?

Hello Bardofely,

Welcome to WAB. I think you'll find that in no way WAB could be considered as having a 'closed shop attitude'. As has been explained, the links via WABS own gallery helps to actually protect the site from anything really nasty. The moderators work jolly hard to keep this charitable site in fine fettle and family friendly. Links that are relevant are allowed so I don't see there is any problem.

As you are new member, may I suggest a cruise around the threads and have a look at the ones with links and shots so you can see how it all pieces together nicely and safely.

I hope you enjoy your time here and use your vast experience and knowledge in posts.

All the best

Jules

[Kymba]

Heck.. This is all getting to technical for me.. Its just flying over my head
I have only just come to grips with loading my Photo's onto the gallery to add them to my Posts...

[StuartDH]

We've just added this page to the info section to hopefully give a bit more detail

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/wh...to_forum_posts

[Kymba]

Originally Posted by StuartDH

We've just added this page to the info section to hopefully give a bit more detail

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/wh...to_forum_posts

Yeah thats really helped me!!

But dont worry I think its a Blonde thing

[buzfuz8149]

Hi Bardofely,

A warm welcome to WAB, you will find this is a very sensible family friendly site, I have not been a member for long but I have enjoyed the threads and photos, I do occasionally upload photos to the gallery and forum and I have no problems with using WAB, we all have a choice and it is not a closed shop, I think it sensible to request links be kept within WAB, I have often found broken links on other sites and it is most annoying. (Just my two pennyworth)

Carol.

[Boddie]

I would again reiterate that given the countless hours that certain individuals have put into the site I do not think it is unreasonable that their request is respected.

This site has been going now for years and certain people tend to know what works, what does not, and why. With history to back it up.

Where exactly does it say that you are unable to point people to sites and images that answer the questions more fully?

The issue relates solely to images on third party sites.

I find it strange that a newcomer to the site should start questioning policies.

Perhaps you would like your money back?

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I would again reiterate that given the countless hours that certain individuals have put into the site I do not think it is unreasonable that their request is respected. This site has been going now for years and certain people tend to know what works, what does not, and why. With history to back it up.
The issue relates solely to images on third party sites.
I find it strange that a newcomer to the site should start questioning policies.

WAB is a charitable site run and moderated by volunteers. Given this I think it is an excellent site where so much information can be gained.
The request to avoid 3rd party images is, I feel, a perfectly reasonable request and if someone wanted a picture to be included in a post they make I can't see why a few extra minutes spent uploading the image to a WAB gallery is so painful.
Why can't we just enjoy sharing information and photos on our great wildlife without nit-picking!

[goosey]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

WAB is a charitable site run and moderated by volunteers. Given this I think it is an excellent site where so much information can be gained.
The request to avoid 3rd party images is, I feel, a perfectly reasonable request and if someone wanted a picture to be included in a post they make I can't see why a few extra minutes spent uploading the image to a WAB gallery is so painful.
Why can't we just enjoy sharing information and photos on our great wildlife without nit-picking!

Well said Claire! Sounds simple to me.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I would again reiterate that given the countless hours that certain individuals have put into the site I do not think it is unreasonable that their request is respected.

This site has been going now for years and certain people tend to know what works, what does not, and why. With history to back it up.

Where exactly does it say that you are unable to point people to sites and images that answer the questions more fully?

The issue relates solely to images on third party sites.

I find it strange that a newcomer to the site should start questioning policies.

Perhaps you would like your money back?

you really make people feel welcome don't you.

[StuartDH]

Originally Posted by Pete

you really make people feel welcome don't you.

Only when they make us feel that the effort - the hours, weeks, months and years that is put in by all of the mods and eds (for free) - is all worthwhile

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Pete

you really make people feel welcome don't you.

In the way that you've take time out to welcome 1000's of new members, do you mean?

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Boddie

In the way that you've take time out to welcome 1000's of new members, do you mean?

uh no. I took the conversation offline

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Pete

uh no. I took the conversation offline

Why bring it back again Pete. Can't we at least behave like adults?

This thread was a perfectly reasonable request to not post links to IMAGES on third party sites. Even I understood that. It did not at any time say that we should not post links to other sites. Where is the problem?

This is supposed to be a family wildlife site. If you want a debating society why not find one elsewhere.

Jaki

[Monkster]

Well I for one am slightly baffled at how this and the 'please stop using third party websites' has been received.
I can't understand what the problem is.....the people who run this site have asked for images to be uploaded through the WAB gallery.....and that's fair enough.
If the only reason people want to send them through 3rd party sites is to save them time then that seems a tad unfair on the editors as this only gives them more unnecessary work to do.
If I was an editor and had many photos to go through then this would certainly be a factor in to what got accepted or rejected.
I am no brain of Britain and have only uploaded 2 photos (due to not having many good ones ) but have found it no problem using the WAB Gallery.
I expect the more complex your camera and editing process, the more time it takes to sort out, but this is a subject I will probably not understand for a long time yet!
My main point here though is that I don't think it's fair to give the moderators and editors a hard time for asking members to do something quite logical and to the benefit of WAB .
And to specifically write a thread to tell them if it can't be done their way then they won't do it at all , is a bit petty. If it was me I just wouldn't post them anymore, not announce it to the world and his wife!
Anyway, if I do ever get another decent photo I will submit it to the WAB Gallery and see how I go!! It's a great feeling to get one accepted!!
Oh ...I nearly forgot ....welcome from me Bardofely and if you have a whizz around the forum you will see many links to the outside world and you will enjoy WAB like the majority of us do!
(sorry gc for debating a little more )

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Monkster

Well I for one am slightly baffled at how this and the 'please stop using third party websites' has been received.
I can't understand what the problem is.....the people who run this site have asked for images to be uploaded through the WAB gallery.....and that's fair enough.
If the only reason people want to send them through 3rd party sites is to save them time then that seems a tad unfair on the editors as this only gives them more unnecessary work to do.
If I was an editor and had many photos to go through then this would certainly be a factor in to what got accepted or rejected.
I am no brain of Britain and have only uploaded 2 photos (due to not having many good ones ) but have found it no problem using the WAB Gallery.
I expect the more complex your camera and editing process, the more time it takes to sort out, but this is a subject I will probably not understand for a long time yet!
My main point here though is that I don't think it's fair to give the moderators and editors a hard time for asking members to do something quite logical and to the benefit of WAB .
And to specifically write a thread to tell them if it can't be done their way then they won't do it at all , is a bit petty. If it was me I just wouldn't post them anymore, not announce it to the world and his wife!
Anyway, if I do ever get another decent photo I will submit it to the WAB Gallery and see how I go!! It's a great feeling to get one accepted!!
Oh ...I nearly forgot ....welcome from me Bardofely and if you have a whizz around the forum you will see many links to the outside world and you will enjoy WAB like the majority of us do!
(sorry gc for debating a little more )

You said it better than I did Monkster

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Why bring it back again Pete. Can't we at least behave like adults?

This thread was a perfectly reasonable request to not post links to IMAGES on third party sites. Even I understood that. It did not at any time say that we should not post links to other sites. Where is the problem?

This is supposed to be a family wildlife site. If you want a debating society why not find one elsewhere.

Jaki

we can behave like adults, which is why i took the conversation off line

I did say i understood admin's reasons for the request. I don't necessarily agree with it but then I'm not the one who has to mod the site so I will obviously comply with the request.