BBS Code Explained (simplified)

[Style Four]

I won't try to explain BBS code, not in full. There's plenty of good reading on BBS code if you really want to code by hand. I do it and I enjoy it, but it's not for everybody. We are talking about IMG tags and you will be seeing them in your posts, so I do need to explain what you're looking at. BTW, BBS is Bulletin Board Service. The BBS code is a variation of HTML code, which is what all web pages use.

For an image to be displayed, the browser needs to know that it's getting ready to show a picture. IMG is the tag to use. For the browser to know that it's reading code, not text, IMG is surrounded with brackets []. When the image code ends, we need to tell the browser that the image code is done, so we use a front-slash / followed by IMG surrounded with brackets []. I can't actually write this out as I should, because your browser will try to show a picture that doesn't exist.

Between the opening and closing IMG tags we need code. That would be the URL address. It will look something like this:
https://www.giuliaforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=77650&stc=1&d=1537322822
which is the code that displays the picture in my first post.

Using these opening and closing tags along with the correct code, we can display images that are posted anywhere on the internet. Generally, all you need to do is right click on an image and select 'copy image location'. Then, paste that into your post and write in the opening and closing tags. If all goes well, the viewer will see an image and not the code. If the code is incorrect, the viewer will see some partial code instead of an image.

https://www.giuliaforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=77650&stc=1&d=1537322822[/IMG!]

Can you spot my error?
I hope you said "YES! I see the exclamation point!"

This gives us four ways to post images in a forum post.

 

Utilizing images from Microsoft OneDrive:

You must use an image located on the web somewhere. Use the public link to that image.
I use Microsoft OneDrive for cloud storage.

(In OneDrive) When I click on a pic and select "Embed" it gives me a link like this:

https://nvbqvq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mQ9QJP_vh__Zoylhs-30tT6yGSPBY74485yR6hmBWNmbxtvTeaGiFxNe-iyQpZxojwk0_-nIOYhrZ06nWoPWNtIwcNIipxm9qD3vtaFoumCDlooPUtmpeN1i6EGi5QB4JVrE4eVv3iwkFeNC4YYzf8tYFKur8hcTNdraARb0Wt05elvi0U3axcGn_DQbOJcGC2qxOaOzmPpc1hoBWxr-35A?width=1024&height=576&cropmode=none

(On the forum) I choose the "Insert Image" button and paste the link:

Concept:

1. copy weblink
2. paste link into "Insert Image"

To display a web pic here, by embedding its' location from the web.

 

Exactly. I didn't cover using the "Insert Image" icon. That's the short version of my forth style. This takes care of the IMG tags for you.

 

Posting a photograph with a Mac. These six steps might seem a bit complicated, but it is really very simple and, if you take the time to edit the photograph, can be accomplished in two or three minutes.

1. Down load a jpeg image from a camera or the web to the desk top. If the photograph is just the way you want it, skip steps 2, 3, and 4 and go directly to step 5.

2. Drag the jpeg into Apple's free standard photo program.

3. Edit the photograph. This is important unless the photograph is exactly the way you want it. Crop to properly align and size the image. Adjust light and color if necessary.

4. Drag the edited jpeg to the desk top.

5. Upload the jpeg to PostImage or another free hosting service. PostImage and other hosting sites provide simple clear prompts.

6. Copy the Post Image web link ("share" then "direct link") and paste it into the forum. Click on the Forum's "image" icon, and you will have down loaded a full size image.

 

I apologize right away, I am a tech noob.
Why is this as complicated as it is?
Why isn't it as simple as posting an image on FB, or attaching an image in an email?

 

Hmm...

I do not have a FB account. FB is based around images, the Giulia Forum is a text based environment.

For the purpose of ease, the thumbnail is by far the easiest way to post an image here. Just drag-n-drop.

[Style Two]
An easy way is to use this forum's thumbnail service. It's easy, just drag-n-drop the image into the thumbnail window just below the edit window. The thumbnail will appear at the bottom of the new post and the viewer can click on the small image to enlarge it.

The more difficult styles offer user manipulation so they can do creative things with their images.

 

What gets me (sometimes) is that when I try to post an image, the forum tells me that the file is too large.
Then I (have to) go to a site that will resize my image. Then I have to download the resized image, then try to post it.
PITA.