# Were images turned off because they were causing a problem, or only because they weren't on the old Dope? **URL:** \ **Category:** Site Feedback\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578 "2020-06-22T14:18:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/124 "2020-06-26T19:46:24Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > vBulletin did in fact support inline images. In fact, I recall seeing a few threads (like, on hallowe’en) when the mods allowed them. And, we’ve always allowed people to _link_ to images; they just didn’t show up within the text of the post. IMHO there are halfway-reasonable arguments both for and against allowing people to post images on the SDMB. If I were casting a vote right now, it would be to allow them on a trial basis and see how things go. But I think it’s silly to talk about what year it is as an argument for images. Text is not obsolete (cite: all the text-only books that are still being published); images aren’t a more modern or more advanced way to communicate; and just because you can add a feature doesn’t mean that doing so necessarily makes things better (cite: [Clippy](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/504767/tragic-life-clippy-worlds-most-hated-virtual-assistant)). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/125 "2020-06-26T20:26:53Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > But I think it’s silly to talk about what year it is as an argument for images. Text is not obsolete (cite: all the text-only books that are still being published); images aren’t a more modern or more advanced way to communicate; and just because you can add a feature doesn’t mean that doing so necessarily makes things better (cite: [Clippy](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/504767/tragic-life-clippy-worlds-most-hated-virtual-assistant)). Partly correct. But what year it is is, in fact, relevant to any counter-argument that images take up bandwidth and storage space, since both of those are generally plentiful. So is processing power, which allows more and more sophisticated boards like this one to exist and, in general, web-based functionality that would have been unimaginable in the early days of HTML. The moral of Clippy is that when a wide range of functionality is available, it can be incompetently implemented or, as in the case of inline images, potentially abused. But the solution to the latter, IMHO, is to have policies in place to prevent such abuse, not to disable a very useful function. Pictures can be instructive, and pictures can can be fun, too, which is not a sin. To say that a picture is worth a thousand words may be a hackneyed old aphorism, but it is in fact an understatement. I note, by the way, that the pictures in the [Pet Picture Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pet-picture-thread/911084) have magically reappeared (at least, at the time of this writing). The thread remains closed while TPTB think about the best policies going forward with regard to inline pictures, and that’s fine, but I urge folks to take a look at it. Some might say “blech! I don’t come here to see pics of people’s cats and dogs” and that’s fine, you can ignore the thread based on its title. But objectively, the worst that can be said about it is “harmless”, and personally I found it cute and entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/126 "2020-06-26T20:46:39Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > and pictures can can be fun, too, which is not a sin [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Danseuses_cancan.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Danseuses_cancan.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/127 "2020-06-26T22:39:00Z")
I do think the image issue coild be handled with good moderation. Something like this: “The Straight Dope Message Board allows embedded images. However, images shoild only be used when they are relevant and advance the conversation. ‘Meme’ Gifs, out-of-context pictures and other unacceptable images will be removed without warning. Continued abuse of the picture feature will get the poster an official warning, or a banning if the behaviiur is egregious and continues after being warned.” Even better would be if mods have the ability to turn an inline image into a thumbnail. Then for margjnal cases, the mods could just thumbnail the image, perhaps with a boilerplate comment, “This image has been thumbnailed by the thumbnailer for being irrelevant or stupid or annoying.” If mods have to keep doing that for the same users, they can be officially warned to knock it off or dial it back. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/128 "2020-06-26T23:14:59Z")
The board has been exceptionally good utilizing peer pressure to persuade users to conform to the excepted norms. Obvious examples. Occasionally we’ll have a new user posting in l337 5p34k or other annoying styles. Regular users first advise them that we prefer they don’t. Noob responds with you’re not the boss of me, I’ll do what I want. Regulars move on to pointing/laughing/denigrating/ignoring. New user either moves on to other boards or adapts to the community norms. So sure, enable embedded pics. We’ll reach consensus about what’s acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/129 "2020-06-26T23:38:07Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I’d go for photos in MPSIMS and IMHO, but not the other fora (or whatever they’re called on this site) This is kind of what I was thinking. Perhaps allow in some forums and not others, or perhaps even create a forum where pictures are encouraged and allowed. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/130 "2020-06-27T00:25:49Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > … we’ve always allowed people to _link_ to images … I tried to do that, but Discourse turned my link into an upload. There was no syntax I could find that would let me just post a text link to an image. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/131 "2020-06-27T00:53:31Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I tried to do that, but Discourse turned my link into an upload. There was no syntax I could find that would let me just post a text link to an image.  Literally anything else on the line with the link should do it. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/132 "2020-06-27T06:29:00Z")
[![](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/russells_teapot_2x.png) ](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/russells_teapot_2x.png) Let me see if this works ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/133 "2020-06-27T07:02:54Z")
Ok, here is what I found: if I just paste in a complete image url, Discourse interprets it and starts copying (“uploading”) the image and the whole thing goes to shit. But if I mangle it before pasting it in (in the above case, what I pasted in began with “htt:imgs”) and subsequently fix it (by adding in the “ps” and the two slashes), Discourse fails to do the copy and merely obtains a source preview (the whole image). A bit kludgy, but it seems to work. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/135 "2020-06-27T17:03:12Z")
Now that your test has succeeded, could you take that thing down so it doesn’t give someone a seizure? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/136 "2020-06-27T17:05:25Z")
Posting animated gifs outside of a spoiler box ought to getcha a paddlin’. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/137 "2020-06-27T18:00:32Z")
[The Simpsons Paddle GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY](https://giphy.com/gifs/the-simpsons-reaction-season-6-ZDodmkfJAltwk) spoilers break the gif ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/138 "2020-06-27T18:08:55Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > spoilers break the gif Testing: [the simpsons paddle GIF](https://media2.giphy.com/media/ZDodmkfJAltwk/giphy.gif) This text has been blurred by the Blurrist. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/139 "2020-06-27T18:10:53Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > > [@Broomstick](#): > > > > My personal opinion: > > > > I’m fine with limiting features for a week or two until we get the bugs worked out of the new board. Once that’s done bring in new features in a controlled manner. > > I get limiting features until they can be rolled out at a better time. But what they seem to be doing is reverting everything to our old vBulletin system, or as close as they can get to it. > > And I understand why. > > But it’s a non-starter. _ **This is Discourse, not vBulletin** _. This is 2020, not 1999. Shit is breaking on this board because of the reversions. I would submit that this is the SDMB, not Reddit (or whatever the fuck the cool kids are using). ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/140 "2020-06-27T18:14:17Z")
> [@ENugent](#): > > Now that your test has succeeded, could you take that thing down so it doesn’t give someone a seizure? Sorry! I’ve asked a mod to remove it. I doubt I’ll be using animated gifs, just wanted to see if they worked. > [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > Posting animated gifs outside of a spoiler box ought to getcha a paddlin’. I think I agree. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/141 "2020-06-27T18:17:40Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > A picture can be potentially just as useful in GQ as anywhere else, e.g. “What kind of bird is this” or “What do you call this type of architecture (that I just took a picture of)…”. On the other hand though, if the ability to provide links to pictures that have to be clicked on remains, that should be sufficient. What, are you trying to drive imgur out of business? I’m okay with following a link. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/142 "2020-06-27T18:21:10Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Let me see if I can clarify some things here. > > =\>SNIP\<= > > Jenny > your humble TubaDiva > Administator Thanks, **TubaDiva**. You’re a treasure. ETA: I guess =\>SNIP\<= is the new pseudotag for snipping quoted posts. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/143 "2020-06-27T18:40:48Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > We’re discussing graphics now. We always said NO but once upon a time we thought avatars were a killing offense. Turns out it ain’t no big thing. Use them or not, it’s your choice. > > As we unpack the old posts we are finding many old hyperlinks that carry graphics with them. (See the [Mrs. Butterworth](https://straightdope.trydiscourse.com/t/fill-me-in-on-mrs-butterworths-syrup/855892) thread for a good example. There is no way we can go through all the links on the board and edit out those graphics. This is what’s frustrating. Those graphics shouldn’t need to be edited out - they were never really there in the first place. Why don’t the hyperlinks just remain as hyperlinks so we can decide whether we want to view the image or not? Why are links to webpages being turned into previews that display an image? Or at least why can’t we have a setting to turn that “feature” off? And not just a theme, an actual setting that applies no matter what theme we use? > [@TubaDiva](#): > > Like avatars, it’s an option. If we go this route – and it is still being discussed – use it or not. It’s up to you. (I do see some folks are already doing it.) And avatars is no longer an option. Right now we see them whether we want to or not. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578/144 "2020-06-27T19:23:39Z")
Nobody sees mine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-images-turned-off-because-they-were-causing-a-problem-or-only-because-they-werent-on-the-old-dope/911578.md?page=8)