ALL READ: Photo Posting Issues Solved, New Goodies For NICO

[AZhitman]

OK, tonight was the last straw. PhotoPost actually caused the forums to crash for a short time, and I've gotten pathetic response back from PP's tech support wankers. Screw them and their lame software.

So, here's the deal, please read carefully:

PhotoPost is currently locked down and no further uploads will be allowed to it. It will remain running simply to retain the pics we currently have (like an archive).

Contrary to popular belief, it costs us money. A lot. While the software is farly cheap (couple benjis), the bandwidth is not, and that's on our nickel.

We've implemented a pretty impressive software package called iServe, which works seamlessly in conjunction with ZeroForums.

Here's how it works (pay attention folks, this is good stuff):

Include Images in PostsYou can easily include your iServe hosted images in your posts by clicking the iServe button in the New Topic or Reply windows.

ONE CLICK to add a pic to a post? WOO HOO!



Image ManagerUpload and manage all of your images online. Images can be upload one at a time or several at once. You can even upload zipped files containing several images files in different image formats.

No more uploading pics one at a time to PhotoPost. SWEET.



Image EditorThe iServe online image edit feature gives you access to several tools to easily manipulate your images online.

Imagine the possibilities - Lots of captioned images, and a few PhotoChops of yours truly, I'm sure.... Dammit.



GalleryCreate an online image gallery which you can make public or private.

Keep your "bathroom mirror self-portraits" from making it onto teh Intarwebs ( PMQ).



OK, so what's the catch?

Well, it ain't free. Those wishing to use it will incur a small fee (I think it's like $20 for 6 months, cheaper for longer memberships).

I can hear the wailing from here....

Please note, this is NOT to provide revenue to NICO, as we are completely self-sufficient. We don't charge a membership fee, we don't charge for premium content, and a lot of what we bring in goes right back into the site and events.

Now, there are those who choose to continue to use the free hosting services such as PhotoBucket and such. And that's fine. Photobucket can pay for the bandwidth, and you can keep using IMG tags and one-at-a-time uploads.

But, I think a lot of you will be able to see the value in it.

We may even consider using it as an incentive: Write an article? I'll tack on an extra month of iServe. ROTM? More iServe. We can play around with it and make it something worthwhile....

OMGWTFBBQ I DRIVE A NISSAN AND I GOTS NO MONEYS OH WOE IS ME I AIN'T PAYIN' FOR CRAP.... SCREWIT THIS FORUM IS TEH SUCK I QUIT YO.

Quitcherbitchin.

Check it out and see what you think. You can have a look around iServe atat: http://iserve.nicoclub.com - Check it out...

We have also setup an iServe message forum to help answer any question you may have at: http://iserve-support.rely.net

Couple questions I got on the beta run:

"What happens if I buy a membership and then decide to not continue with it?"

Your pics will stay, all links will still work, the functionality will just be locked out. I think after you use it tho, you'll be hooked - it's THAT cool.

"Why would I pay for something that I can get fo' free elsewhere?"

Well, lots of reasons - One, this has more functionality - you can theoretically load ALL the pics on your PC on it, save your HD space, and create folders and manage your pics online. Two, it's quick - Upload an entire zipped file, and iServe will UNZIP them for you. Cool. Three, one-click pic insertion into posts - No more IMG tags. Four, load big pics in a post as clickable thumbs (no more oversized pics).

I hope this is well-received as a powerful photo hosting tool.

Feedback, props, complaints, nekkid pics of your GF, post 'em up - I can take it.

[Maverick7687]

I like the sound of this.. A lot.. I don't post many pictures but I do use online photo hosting so this may be something I will use just for the gallery part of it. No more carrying around CD's with pictures!! WOOT!

Me being the way I am, I will have to at least try it for the shortest time possible, no matter what. If I like it, I will keep it, but I HAVE to try it.. It's just the way I am, just have to get the money situation straight right now.

[glitched]

for something that we pay for it should at least have all the features available to OTHER free software...

like the free software called gallery http://gallery.menalto.com/lots of upload options, drag and drop applets, forms, even an option to upload from WITHIN windows XP

Also what about tagging? I personally have been looking for a free software that has tagging, but I would think a paid one would...

[AZhitman]

for something that we pay for it should at least have all the features available to OTHER free software...

like the free software called gallery http://gallery.menalto.com/lots of upload options, drag and drop applets, forms, even an option to upload from WITHIN windows XP

Also what about tagging? I personally have been looking for a free software that has tagging, but I would think a paid one would...

Ummm, did you not read the post I spent an hour drafting?

BTW, "Gallery" sucks. It's open-source, has WAY too many vulnerabilities, no tech support and doesn't integrate with forums.

[MinisterofDOOM]

for something that we pay for it should at least have all the features available to OTHER free software...

Sounds great in theory, but unfortunately it's not that simple.

While the SOFTWARE may be free, the bandwidth is not. With as many members as NICO has, you can imagine how much bandwidth image hosting takes up. That costs NICO money. iServe takes some of that load off NICO so that we can put that money toward more important things, like badass national meets.

[Jesda]

Not bad.

[w1ngzer0]

groovy.,

lol @ default picture.

[MinisterofDOOM]

groovy.,

lol @ default picture.

That's what I said, too.I've touched that very plane. One of two in existence.

[sensibleS13driver]

I touch myself and I'm the ONLY one in existence

[Dano]

I started using it yesterday and this is just cool, you can make subfolders under subfolders, it's all organized, and the .zip file upload is FREAKIN REDICULOUS... IT'S SOOOOOO EASY! I'm hooked...

-Dan

[nsrZ32]

Very good software.

I like it a lot and its stupid easy to get the pics in theads. One click linking ftw!

Thanks Greg!

[wild_maxx]

cool program! But is the original photopost working for anyone? Mine's not.

[AZhitman]

Reading Is Fundamental.

See the first part of the first post. Pics are still there, galleries may not be functioning (because they require the Photopost software to actually DO something, and it's a POS).

[crzycav86]

I have the same question. How can we find the pics that we've uploaded if we didn't write down the URL?

maybe you could put the software back online, but disable everyone from logging in/registering and thus eliminate more pictures from being uploaded. That might work.

Anyway, if I had prior warning, I would have copied and pasted the URL for the images on my HD so that I could still access them.

[crzycav86]

Oh yeah.. NICO's photopost is definitely in NICO's top 3 features IMO(mainly because it was free). It really saddens me to see it go away so abrubtly. I'm sure the other members who've used it would agree.

[AZhitman]

maybe you could put the software back online, but disable everyone from logging in/registering and thus eliminate more pictures from being uploaded. That might work.

Great idea. That's exactly what's happening.

It didn't go away abruptly, it's been falling apart for months. I finally found a worthy replacement.

BTW, those of you who simply can't do without free hosting, have you looked at your Zoints photo album yet?

[Kalok]

BTW, "Gallery" sucks. It's open-source, has WAY too many vulnerabilities, no tech support and doesn't integrate with forums.

I'm ashamed of you Greg....

Just because it's Open Source doesn't mean it sucks. Nor does it mean that it has too many vulnerabilities and no tech support....

I don't know when the last time you checked out Open Source software, but it's not the hobbyist garbage that you think it is anymore... You CAN get tech support for it. Statistically speaking Open Source has FEWER vulnerabilities than closed source software. Many eyes and all that....

Ask the NYSE what their platform is. Open Source.Ask IBM what they're starting to ship as the standard on their big iron. Open Source.Ask Google what their platform is. Open Source.

Ask IBM what they sell maintenance and support contracts for. Open Source.Ask Red Hat what they sell maintenance and support contracts for. Open Source.

Guess what. Over 25 of the top 100 super computers on the planet are running on, you guess it, Open Source.

Now, that's not to say that Gallery itself doesn't suck, have vulnerabilities, and no tech support. Being Open Source has nothing to do with that.

[AZhitman]

OK.

Shoulda just said, "Gallery sucks."

The fact that the code is out there for every junior hacker in the world to play with doesn't do much for my confidence, but then again, that ain't my area of expertise.

[Kalok]

OK.

Shoulda just said, "Gallery sucks."

The fact that the code is out there for every junior hacker in the world to play with doesn't do much for my confidence, but then again, that ain't my area of expertise.

Believe it or not that "code is out there for every junior hacker in the world to play" is EXACTLY what makes Open Source software inherently more secure. Because EVERYONE, badguys and goodguys, can see the code. That means that the badguys inadvertantly help the goodguys make better, read more secure, code.

Closed Source software is sorta like buying a car with the wheels welded on and the hood welded shut and big threats of lawsuits that they would win if you opened them up to look in there. You have no idea what's underneath or the quality of it. All you know is that it does the job.

Open Source software is like cars are at the moment. Everyone can open the hood and look in there and decide for themselves if the quality is there.

Open Source software programmers, typically, are the programming equivalent of the car "tuners" crowd. They saw that there was software out there that met their needs somewhat (a stock car), but they felt that they could make better. So they did (a modded car). Then they said, "Hey. We could make it even better by allowing others to add their two cents."

Not bashin on ya Greg. I be edjumicating ya.....heheheh

[AZhitman]

.

Now go check out iServe.

[Kalok]

.

Now go check out iServe.

As an FYI, since you never e-mailed me ya dork....hehehehe

I am seriously considering a VQ35 conversion in my car next year and swappin in the 6-speed from a Spec, vs my 5-speed. Travis formerly from FI-R has a kit to do it. $5,000 to $7,000 installed including engine.

I just need to find out what I need to do to make it legal here in AZ.

[AZhitman]

Keep the emissions stuff and make sure it passes the sniffer.

Piece of cake.

I even have the best motorswap guy in AZ if you need it done by a pro. His rates are phenomenal as well.

[crzycav86]

Great idea. That's exactly what's happening.

It didn't go away abruptly, it's been falling apart for months. I finally found a worthy replacement.

Well, when I said abrupt, I meant that a few days ago, you could click "Gallery" and it would show you some pictures. Today, when I click it, I get a message that says the software is disabled.

How soon until it's viewable again?

[GrilledCheese33]

while this sounds neat, I find photobucket the way to go. Upload 20 pics at a time, pus it automatically highlights the adress plus it uses an image tag, and i can make folders. I just use my camera software to add text and such, then upload. Plus, its free. Iserve is neat, but i prefer free.

[NSR_s30]

I'll use photobucket for now, but this new software looks pretty neat. I'll have to try it out.

[Bumnah]

i have my own webspace that i use to host my pictures, so i'm not pressed, but i would like to create clickable thumbnails to large size photo's.

is there a way to do that without having this iserve? i'm sure there is, i've seen it before.

cool stuff though, you actually get **** when you get ROTM, can't say i've seen that before.

[Dano]

cool stuff though, you actually get **** when you get ROTM, can't say i've seen that before.

Recognition of all of your hard work on a site as big as NICO is isn't enough? I, myself, respect every1 of you enthusiasts for all the work you do to your own vehicle, it's what sets enthusiasts apart from the rest of the world, and I want u all to know that I have the respect for u that u deserve. ROTM spotlights that so others can share that respect.

-Dan

[Dano]

Well, when I said abrupt, I meant that a few days ago, you could click "Gallery" and it would show you some pictures. Today, when I click it, I get a message that says the software is disabled.

How soon until it's viewable again?

Unfortunately we all had the storm hit us. None of us knew it was coming, but it actually screwed up one night, and caused the whole forum to crash for a short period of time, and it was more important to disable it and get the board back up then to sit with the board down trying to figure it all out. We all have a bunch of pics that we wish we had access to, just be patient!

-Dan

[Veriest1]

I don't upload a ton of pictures but the times I've uploaded more than 3 or 4 was a pain. The idea of being able upload a zipped folder sounds fantastic but I don't have need of the service at this point in time.

Quick question for those who use winrar and other programs for compressing folders. Will iServe work with compressed folders other than .zip? Even if it won't, converting one folder to .zip to upload it all would still be WAY easier than uploading them one at a time.

One way or another I'm glad to see nico moving forward and disregarding the baby birds with "gimme gimme" attitudes.

[szh]

Also an important for everyone to remember: iServe is optional. Nobody is being forced to use it! If you have another way to post your images, and are happy with it, that is perfectly fine!

Personally, I like the way iServe integrates into the posting and forum software, so I plan to use it. I am glad that Photopost has gone away - although, like others, I also hope to be able to retrieve my pictures from it. If I can, great! If it does not work out, so be it! I will move on!

Z