Help and updates in using the forum

Firstly, the main forum index page can be reached anytime by clicking on "Forums" on the top menu (which appears on every page), or if you are somewhere in the forum already, by clicking on the "Forum" link on the forum menu bar.

Choose the appropriate category that you wish to post under by clicking on the category name or on the folder icon next to it. If you are not sure which category to post under, you can always go for the "General" one and the moderators can move your post later should it be necessary.

To start a new post click on the "New Thread" button which appears above the list of posts already in that category. Note: you must be logged in to be able to see this button. You will now be presented with a form to capture the details you wish to post. The most basic required content is a subject and the message body.

The text can be previewed to see what it will look like by clicking on "Preview" at the bottom. You may also check the "Subscribe" checkbox so that you are notified via email of any new replies to your post. Click "Submit" and you are done!

You will be presented with 2 options: returning to the forum or to the post you just submitted (the latter will be automatically chosen after a few seconds).

Note: if you have taken a very long time to write your message (more than 20 minutes) your login session will have expired by the time you click Submit, in which case an error message is displayed and your post will not be submitted. If you anticipate that it will take some time to write your message, rather write it up in a text document first and copy and paste it over, or simply copy your text before you submit as a backup (so that you can paste it somewhere if the submit fails).

BBCode is short for Bulletin Board Code. It is used as a way for formatting posts so that, for example, text can be underlined or made bold.

This is achieved by wrapping the text that should be formatted in special tags. The BB Code guide is shown in the toolbar above the message box when a post is being written.

The codes can be written manually or inserted by clicking the relevant button. The text you wish to format can also be selected first, then when the relevant button is clicked the tags are automatically wrapped around it. A combination of tags can be used.

Below are examples showing BB Code that is supported on this site. The first line indicates how the formatting is written while the second line shows what this looks like once the message is posted.


[ Some bold text
Some bold text

[ Some Italicised Text
Some Italicised Text

[Some Underlined Text
Some Underlined Text

[ Red Coloured Text
Red Coloured Text

[ Blue Coloured Text
Blue Coloured Text

[ Text Size 1
Text Size 1

[ Text Size 2
Text Size 2

[ Text Size 3
Text Size 3

[ Text Size 4
Text Size 4

[ Text Size 5
Text Size 5


Using combinations of tags
[[[ Bold, Green Coloured, Text Size 5
Bold, Green Coloured, Text Size 5


[

[

Some Quoted Text

Some Quoted Text

Embedding an image from a link
[



Embedding a link
[ Vertical Endeavour
Vertical Endeavour


Embedding an image from a link, adjusting the size, and inserting a link to make it clickable
[ [

This image is hidden for guests.

This image is hidden for guests.

The main difficulty in attaching images lies in preparing it correctly so that the system accepts it. The rest is fairly straightforward.

Click on the "Browse" button of the "Select image file to attach" section below the message box and select the file you wish to attach, ensuring that it is an acceptable format such as jpg, bmp or png.

Then click on the "[[img]" button which will insert the image tag into your message text. Ensure that it is positioned in your message where you wish the image to appear.

The file size and picture dimensions limit appears in the yellow bar above the message box when you move your mouse pointer over the image file path box and "Browse" button below the message box.

Currently the file size limit is set at 100kb and the pixel dimensions limit at 400x500. These settings allow for optimal viewing on this site. Before you attempt to upload an image check that it is within these limits.

These sizes can be changed using applications such as Microsoft Office Picture Manager or Adobe Photoshop.

Should you attempt to upload an image which is beyond the limits, a pop-up message will notify you of the problem when you submit the message, and the image will not be attached even though the message is posted.

If this happens, simply re-edit the message after you have ensured the image dimensions are within limit and attempt to attach it again.

Should you wish to adjust the display size of the image in the post slightly you can do so by specifying the size in the image tag, e.g. [[img size=150]. The size range is 0-499.

I've noticed that the uploading of images to forum posts is still proving to be a bit of a frustration. Currently images are not resized automatically, so it is up to the user to prepare the images before upload. The situation should be improved when the site is upgraded.

I have increased the current file size limit to 150kb, which should allow for a good on-screen quality. If the file size is bigger, the page will load slower, especially for those with slower internet connection speeds.

The maximum image dimensions (width x height) are currently set at 450 x 500 pixels. These are the optimum dimensions for the current layout.

In order to find out what size your image is, move your mouse pointer over the image when in folder view (for Windows users)- the dimensions should appear as a tooltip. In Google's Picasa (a highly recommended, free photo editor and manager), you can right click the image and select properties.

In order to resize images one can use a variety of applications. For MS Office users, one can use Microsoft Office Picture Manager. By setting Picture >> Resize >> Predefined widthxheight to "Web - small (448 x 336)" both the file size and dimensions should be within limits. Picasa can also be used for this.

Another current limitation is that users can only attach one picture to a post. If you need to upload a number of images to a post you are welcome to contact me - I can upload them for you and attach them to your post. This applies to any difficulty in uploading images - rather than get frustrated and give up, send them to me - I'll attach them for you.

Picture upload dimensions are currently much more accommodating. I have set the file size limit to 1MB - I will compress images from the server side once they are uploaded. Dimensions can be up to 2000 x 2000. Hope this makes it easier for folks.

Multiple picture attachment to the same post is now possible by editing the post. Attach a single picture as before and submit your post. Then click "edit" and attach another image by following a similar procedure. Future releases of this forum software should allow for simultaneous multiple image upload.

Everyone is encouraged to make use of the galleries, which are much better at handling and storing images than this forum. File sizes can be up to 2MB, and there is no dimension limit. Multiple images can also be uploaded simultaneously. There is a nifty way of embedding a thumbnail from a gallery image into a forum post. Take this picture of Rolands Cave for example. You will notice that there is a "15" just before the "rolands-cave" text in the url. This is the image ID number.
www.vertical-endeavour.com/gallery/drakensberg/caves/15-rolands-cave.html

Insert it into the following tags:
{joomplu: 15}

I have inserted a space between the "joomplu" and the 15 just to show what it looks like. If you remove the space you'll get this:
{joomplu:15}
A very handy thumbnail link! You can check to see if its working by clicking on Preview before you submit.

This feature is especially handy for multiple image posts because the page load speed is very slow if the images are attached directly to the post. This also keeps the galleries nicely populated, which serves as a handy reference, especially where the peaks, passes and caves sub-categories are concerned. Make use of the rating, commenting and tagging features in the galleries too!

Remember that if you are having difficulties in uploading images contact me by sending me a PM, rather than give up. I can always upload the images for you.

Hope everyone is enjoying the new version of the forum software, which was upgraded on Sunday, 9 January!

With a new version comes new ways of handling images. You may notice that there is now only one place to upload attachments, whether it be an image (jpeg, gif or png), or another type of file or document (previously these were handled separately). By moving your mousepointer over the "Add File" button you will see a tooltip detailing which type of files can be uploaded. Additional types can be added on request, though our downloads section is generally a better place for other types of files.

Once you have selected an image for upload through the "Add File" button, 2 additional buttons appear, one to remove the selected file, and other to "Insert" the image tag into your message text. If you do not click the Insert button, the image is attached as a LINK when you post the message(which can be viewed by others when clicked). If you do "Insert" the image tags, then the image is attached as an EMBEDDED IMAGE, ie the image is shown together with the message text. The original, full-size view can still be seen by clicking on the image.

The embedded image method is the preferred one since it is easier for readers to view it.

You'll also notice that once you have selected a file it becomes possible to attach additional ones too. Multiple image upload is now possible. Be careful of selecting too many images with large file sizes at the same time.

The file size limit is currently set to 2MB, though try keep the size down to a minimum as this makes browsing easier and quicker for others. Use the gallery for large images (since a smaller sized preview is possible in the galleries), and where images may be useful for reference purposes (caves, passes etc), or have high photographic/artistic value.

Currently pictures in these threads are viewed using Lightbox . If this causes problems for members, we can consider using the traditional method of displaying the image in a new browser tab. All images posted before the Jan 9 upgrade still work in this way.

Remember, if you have trouble uploading stuff to the site, I'm just a PM away.

I think this was probably a website issue, relating mainly to certain instances where the virtual memory demanded by the scripts doing all the tasks simply exceed the limit. I am aware of this and will implement a solution if I can find one. I've also noticed times where the web simply seems bogged down - I had a timed out connection twice yesterday whilst browsing the site (and the fact that it is physically hosted in the US can make it even worse). Unfortunately software is not perfect and calls for patience at times. You can always contact me for help.

On a practical level I have noticed that trying to upload multiple images simultaneously can be an issue sometimes. Try sticking to one image at a time, unless you don't have problems.

Bear in mind that the scripts keep running sometimes even though you close the browser window - or will at least process everything up until that point. Two of GetaPix's pics did appear later after he had closed the window.

Stijn, try clear your cache in IE