nScale.net FAQ

What type and size of images may I use with nScale.net?

[General]
You may use quite a large selection of image types with nScale.net. More specifically you may use the following image types: bmp, gif, jpe, jpeg, jpg and png. jpe, jpg and jpeg are all essentially the same file type but with different file name extensions. They are also the preferred file type since they require less storage than the others.

[Additional Information]
Regardless of the file type, image files can consume significant amounts of storage, with that in mind, there are some limitations as to the maximum file size you may use.

If you use the Attach tool the following table summarizes the limitations:

If you use the Insert Image tool the limits are little more general:

• Image size: 1600 x 1200.
• File size: 2 MB.

Note that these limits are controlled by the server and cannot be modified via the software!

[Links]
Wikki entry for further information on image file formats: Image File Formats

Where should I store images that I want to include in my posts?

[General]
You may store the images you wish to use here at nScale.net in a variety of places.

You may create your own personal photo album here and store them in there if you wish.

You may also use a third party image hosting service to save the images. Examples of these services include WebShots, PhotoBucket and ImageShack. Of course there are many others. These services become particularly attractive if you plan on using your images in multiple places. Most provide at least some level of service that is free.

One other option is to simply store them on your own computer! You will be restricted somewhat in how you may use them but this is a very convenient option for you to use!

[Additional Information]
Just about every service you may use has restrictions on the maximum size of file you may save so you should make yourself familiar with limitations and resize your images, if necessary, before uploading.

Another important requirement is that your images should be fully accessible without having to login to the service!

[Links]

• WebShots
• PhotoBucket
• ImageShack

nScale.net does not endorse these photo storage services or any others. The above three links simply provide examples of some of the more popular services.

How do I set up my own album and use it?

[General]
Setting up your own personal album is quite easy! First you need to navigate to an album page. You may do this clicking on the All Albums link at the top of the page or by clicking the Community link and then selecting the Pictures & Albums option.

In the first case you will go to a page showing all the current albums in reverse chronological order (last updated album is first in the list). Select the Add Album link in the upper left.

In the second case you will go to a page showing the most recently updated albums. Select the Create New Album link in the upper right of the page.

In either case you will end up in a dialog asking you for a title and description for your new album. You will also have to choose whether or not to make your album public (everyone can see it) or private (only you, your contacts and moderators can see it).

This will take you to another dialog allowing you to upload up to six images, from your own computer, at a time. Click the Browse button to the right of each text box and search for the file you wish to upload.

When you have made your selections, click the Upload Pictures button at the bottom center.

[Additional Information]
As you will see from the Upload Pictures dialog there are some restrictions! You are restricted to 200 pictures per album; the maximum file size is 97.7 KB and the maximum picture size is 800 x 800 pixels. If the picture is larger the software will attempt to resize it for you but it would be better if you resized it yourself before trying to upload it!

Once your album has been created you can always add additional pictures. Just click on your album to open it and then use the Upload Pictures button as previously!

Note: Images uploaded to your Album should only be those that you own/have taken (or have explicit permission to use). Using images that are not yours could be an infringement of Copyright Law.

[General]
You have three options for including images in your posts; you may Attach them, Insert them or you may Copy & Paste them.

To Attach images that are stored on your own computer, use the paper clip tool:

To Insert images that are in your Album or a third party site on the Internet, use the Insert Image tool:

Lastly, you can Copy & Paste images directly as you would with any other application, but in doing so please be respectful of Copyright Laws.

[Additional Information]
When you Attach images from your own computer you are restricted as to where you may place them. They are automatically placed at the bottom of the post in thumbnail form. (N.B. Not all image file types are displayed as thumbnails, some just have their file names displayed). Clicking the thumbnail displays the image at full size. You cannot attach an image in the body of a post.

Each post is restricted to a maximum of ten images. (This figure includes any smilies or emoticons you also include).

Note: The use of image ten hat you do not own or have explicit permission to use could be an infringement of Copyright Law.

[Links]
Inserted image auto resize

[General]
Yes, to do this you use the Attach tool on the input area tool bar (it looks like a paper clip: ). Be aware that you cannot position the images where you necessarily want them. They will be placed across the bottom of your post in thumbnail form (for some image types, other will just show the file name).

[Additional Information]
See the previous FAQ: "What methods may I use to include images into my posts?" for more information.

How do I attach an image to a post?

[General]
You use the Attach tool to attach images that are stored on your computer, to your posts. You may find this tool in the tool bar over the text input area of most posts (Note, however, that it is not available all the time - specifically not in PMs and in responses to blog entries).

You may select this tool at any time you are composing a post and it will open a dialog (sample shown below is reduced in size) that allows you to specify up to six images to be attached. You specify the images by entering the directory path on you computer for the images and then uploading them one at a time. There is also a Browse button that will allow you to navigate to the desired image and then insert the correct path to the image for you.

When you have the number of paths inserted that you want, click the Upload button to add the images to your post. (There is a maximum of six images allowed per post).

[Additional Information]
When you attach images to your posts you cannot position them within the body of the post. The system will automatically align them across the bottom of the post as thumbnails or as a list of file names.

You are not restricted to just attaching images, you may attach several types of documents. The Attach dialog lists the types of files you may attach along with the maximum size possible with these documents.

The Attach dialog also provides space to specify the URLs of internet images. Be aware that at the present time this option is dissabled for security reasons.

Note: The use of images that you do not own or have explicit permission to use could be an infringement of Copyright Law.

How do I insert an image into a post?

[General]
You use the Insert Image tool to insert up to ten images per post, that are stored elsewhere on the Internet into your posts. You may find this tool in the tool bar over the text input area of most posts.

This tool is used to include images from any Internet site, including your album(s) on this site. When you click the tool you will enter a dialog box that requests the URL of the image you wish to insert (see sample dialog box below). Most photo repositories provide the URL for you. All you need do is copy and paste it into the space provided.

Note that you cannot use this tool to insert images from your own computer.

[Additional Information]
There are image size restrictions and if you try to insert an image that is too large you may end up with an "unpredictable error". If this happens, try reducing the size of the image. The longest side should be somewhere between 800 and 1024 pixels. Anything larger is overkill and requires excessive storage space!

Note: The use of images that you do not own or have explicit permission to use could be an infringement of Copyright Law.

How do I Copy and Paste an image into a post?

[General]
Using copy and paste is probably the easiest method of inserting internet images into your post.

Open the image you wish to use and right-click on it. From the pop-up menu that will be displayed select Copy. (This will place a copy of the image in your computer's clipboard).

If copying from your nScale.net album try opening an additional copy of the site. It makes things much easier!

Return to you post and position the cursor where you want the image to appear. You may now paste the image from the clip board into your post with a Ctrl-v key press (press the "Ctrl" key and while it is pressed, press the "v" key). The image should now appear in you post.

[Additional Information]
Some web designers disable the ability to right-click an image so this method cannot be used in such cases.

The techniques described here are for Windows based computers. Macs probably require a different approach.

You cannot use this method with images stored on you own computer.

Be aware of image sizes when doing this!

Note: The use of images that you do not own or have explicit permission to use could be an infringement of Copyright Law.