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05:18, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Portrait Submissions.

Posted by Shannara
Grimmond
member, 482 posts
Antler-care by LIV THATCH
"RALPH" The Wonder Llama
Mon 8 Oct 2018
at 16:59
  • msg #127

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

So our problem was with a sudden change to the system that no one saw coming or could explain. It "may" be fixed. We are doing some tests to verify that we are able to upload once again.

So you may make submissions as you like. They will just continue to stack up in the "in box" if you will until we are able to upload them once more. When we get the uploads going again we will let you know.
callen
member, 41 posts
Mon 8 Oct 2018
at 17:51
  • msg #128

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

In reply to Grimmond (msg # 127):

Thanks for the heads up and the suggestion of continuing submissions. I'd known something was wrong a while before it showed up in discussion here and went the same route as Shadewolfe: stop and let you all catch up. Nice to hear you feel like you're making progress. Thanks for the hard work!!!
This message was last edited by the user at 17:51, Mon 08 Oct 2018.
Flarelord
member, 405 posts
Tue 6 Nov 2018
at 17:07
  • msg #129

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

Thought about uploading something earlier, decided to check and see if it was still down first, though :D
808writer
member, 4 posts
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 01:28
  • msg #130

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

I'm certain this question has been asked, I just submitted two portraits, when will I know they are available to use?

Further, not trying to be condescending, but why not make it available for users to simply edit avatars that they want to use themselves?
bigbadron
moderator, 15663 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 05:19

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

In reply to 808writer (msg # 130):

As mentioned in the FAQs, there are five reasons why we prefer to have control over the submitted images:
the FAQs:
  • Quality control, we make sure the size is the same, the image is as small (in size) as possible without compromising quality, the photo/drawing area are as similar as possible.

  • Avoiding error/cross boxes (when an image no longer exists).

  • Avoiding inline linking (a.k.a hotlinking, direct linking, offsite image grabs) issues.

  • Avoiding "bandwidth exceeded" errors/images.

  • Completely eliminates the possibility of a member using an inappropriate image.

The current technical issues do not invalidate any of those.
808writer
member, 5 posts
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 18:16
  • msg #132

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

I think you guys are severely underestimating the knowledge of your users if errors is your concern. Maybe I'm just not well informed for such a large website but all of these concerns seem minor and not that big of an issue. Placing a small explanation of how to properly upload images and then simply letting users upload the avatars of the characters that they want to have seems like a very basic and simple thing to do. And if there are issues, seeking out the help of a Moderator at that point.

Further if your fear is quality control (ie dick picks or something lewd) that can also be monitored by Moderators, I will agree that the Moderators having full control does make this process even easier, it just makes those that have to wait for the beginning of each month for an avatar of their character in their games a bit annoying.

I'm not trying to be argumentative or condescending, simply have a better grasp on why the process is annoying.

Thank you for linking that for me, could you answer my first question as well? Do I have to wait for the beginning of next month for my avatars and is there anyway to know when those avatar images are uploaded? Or do I just have to keep checking?

Sorry for the questions (I think it might help if you guys just do a massive text post of all of this information and Notice it - for example, "indefinitely no longer taking portrait submissions" is still a notice so I didn't submit my portraits for a long time until I noticed this threaed). And thank you for answering them in advance <3
Shannara
moderator, 3799 posts
Keep calm, drink more
COFFEE!!!!
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 19:00

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

Portrait updates are on hold as the script to finish the process in the gallery is not currently functioning.  Only jase can fix it, so until he does, the process is on hold.

Also, until and unless jase moves the portrait hosting to RPoL or other hosting of his choosing, the portraits are hosted by volunteers -- and I am one of them.

If RPoL allowed anyone to upload any picture they wanted to, even with size restrictions, I would cease providing the space and bandwidth immediately, because I don't care to take that risk. I can't speak for the other volunteer who hosts the female/neutral portraits, but she might have concerns of her own.

I believe that jase has eventual plans to move the portrait hosting to RPoL's servers ... once he does that, he may make other changes.
This message was last edited by the user at 19:02, Wed 07 Nov 2018.
bigbadron
moderator, 15665 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 19:42

Re: Resuming Portrait Submissions - October 30, 2017

In reply to Shannara (msg # 133):

I can speak for the other volunteer, and she would definitely not be happy with the idea of random strangers being given the ability to upload images to the space that she pays for (as opposed to the current system, where she knows who is doing it).
Shannara
moderator, 3800 posts
Keep calm, drink more
COFFEE!!!!
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 20:05

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Replying so that the subject line is changed as well.

To repeat:

The script that adds the portraits to the gallery is currently not functioning.

Jase is the only one who can fix it.

Until he does, portrait submissions cannot be added to the gallery.

We do not have any kind of estimate as to when the issue will be fixed, unfortunately.

Until that time, if you want to use a portrait other than the ones in the gallery, you will have to use code (/help/?t=faqs&page=rubbcode) to bring the picture into your post.
808writer
member, 6 posts
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 21:48
  • msg #136

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Thanks for getting back to me, like I said I'm not here to argue or fight anyone, was just genuinely curious why a simple feature wasn't added. However I understand that having inappropriate pictures, advertisements of any kind are an issue that is easily avoidable if the portraits are filtered through mods in the first place, and as you aid above, apparently just a preference.

I won't post more on this matter, though I am disappointed to find that I have to wait, again, for two avatar pictures for a game I've been playing in for almost three years now. But such is life.
tibiotarsus
member, 15 posts
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 22:52
  • msg #137

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Ahoy glorious leaders!

Thank you for keeping us updated, even if I only just found this thread (I'm smart, hdurr).

Some related questions: where will it be announced or obvious when portraits are going again, and/or if the Gallery Updates thread over at Portrait Posse is defunct, is there a way to tell whether a portrait has been rejected or simply put in an unexpected place?

Thank you!
Netta
member, 34 posts
Do no harm
but take no shit.
Tue 25 Dec 2018
at 00:03
  • msg #138

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

May we have an update? :)
Shannara
moderator, 3808 posts
Keep calm, drink more
COFFEE!!!!
Tue 25 Dec 2018
at 00:29

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

The issue is one that will need to be addressed by jase.

I'm sure he'll let us know when things are working again.
ladysharlyne
member, 2413 posts
you have to risk the
dark to see the light
Wed 6 Feb 2019
at 19:03
  • msg #140

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Just want to thank you all behind the gallery and am sure it will be fixed in good time but just to say that you all are appreciated xx
LordAshes
member, 20 posts
Sun 10 Feb 2019
at 18:45
  • msg #141

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Why not provide an option to use third party links hosted on third party sites for portraits. That way there is no need to maintain a gallery but users can still get the benefit of custom portraits.
bigbadron
moderator, 15695 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Sun 10 Feb 2019
at 19:09

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Because we have, on numerous occasions, alreay ruled out such an option.

Having a gallery provides us with control over the quality and content of the portraits, to name just two reasons.

The FAQS:
Why can't I link to an image elsewhere?

Five reasons;

    Quality control, we make sure the size is the same, the image is as small (in size) as possible without compromising quality, the photo/drawing area are as similar as possible.

    Avoiding error/cross boxes (when an image no longer exists), à la .

    Avoiding inline linking (a.k.a hotlinking, direct linking, offsite image grabs) issues.

    Avoiding "bandwidth exceeded" errors/images.

    Completely eliminates the possibility of a member using an inappropriate image.
        /help/?t=faqs&page=portraitsfaq
This message was last edited by the user at 19:12, Sun 10 Feb 2019.
evileeyore
member, 156 posts
GURPS GM and Player
Sat 9 Mar 2019
at 23:00
  • msg #143

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Not sure it really matters but portrait mms244 is not in fact a male soldier... it's Christina Cox from the tv show Combat Hospital.
callen
member, 45 posts
Mon 11 Mar 2019
at 21:20
  • msg #144

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

In reply to evileeyore (msg # 143):

It's happened before. I believe the policy is to just leave them because dealing with the gap is more troublesome than having a misplace picture.
DarkLightHitomi
member, 1454 posts
Tue 12 Mar 2019
at 08:13
  • msg #145

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Wouldn't it be easier to simply have tags and thus each page list by tag rather than manually organizing them? That way you could easily fix an issue like this as well as making the search mechanisms more flexible and expandable.
tibiotarsus
member, 34 posts
Hopepunk with a shovel
Tue 12 Mar 2019
at 08:55
  • msg #146

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

They're trying to implement tags, but since the system wasn't set up like that it's just a few volunteers tagging a handful of portraits whenever and the search function is still pretty useless as yet. If you want to find portraits it's best to trawl everything that might possibly be related - and some that aren't! By the 'we put it where users suggest' thing I now understand how one of the images I submitted got incredibly misplaced (should have been mh19##, wound up in fmc##), since I'd been considering sending one for another game and must have forgotten to change the header.

I suspect that's what's happened when you get obviously female people in the male galleries and vice versa. Things would go faster with more volunteers, but vetting them for that level of power takes time...time that could be spent improving the tag system...so...
callen
member, 46 posts
Tue 12 Mar 2019
at 14:03
  • msg #147

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Also, if I'm not mistaken, they're hosted in different places. So it's not quite so simple as that since a search of such tags would stay within a single site.
praguepride
member, 1374 posts
"Hugs for the Hugs God!"
- Warhammer Fluffy-K
Tue 12 Mar 2019
at 23:28
  • msg #148

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

As someone who has tagged literally hundreds of portraits I'd say try the tags first. Don't get too specific but gender + race is a good start, or gender + hair color.

There are a LOT of portraits scattered around so you'll probably get a couple of pages to work with at least.

I've found that it's about a 40/60 spread about whether the tags have what I'm looking for.

The key is gender + one other item and go from there.
tibiotarsus
member, 47 posts
Hopepunk with a shovel
Sun 16 Jun 2019
at 09:11
  • msg #149

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Any updates on this issue? A background character in my long game has become something of an icon, but there isn't anything close to a reindeer to illustrate him. Nor any old Japanese ladies to sort-of pass off as native Siberian...
praguepride
member, 1435 posts
"Hugs for the Hugs God!"
- Warhammer Fluffy-K
Sun 16 Jun 2019
at 18:51
  • msg #150

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Honestly at this point I often don't even bother with portraits for NPCs and just use their descriptions to post cool images found across the web.
tibiotarsus
member, 48 posts
Hopepunk with a shovel
Sun 16 Jun 2019
at 20:40
  • msg #151

Portrait Submissions - On Hold Until Further Notice

Cool if that works for you! Someone might want to have an older Asiatic/Native lady (or reindeer) PC someday, though, and the present crop of portraits is rather scanty in several demographics. It would be nice to have an idea when it might be fixed, or what could be done to help it be fixed, so I thought I'd mention it while this thread was still on the first page.
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