Allow image thumbnail preview for guests while image download being turned OFF

[ElDudo]

Hello,

SMF currently doesn't allow guests to preview an image if downloading an image as an option is turned OFF for guests. I am currently trying to allow this to happen (i.e. thumbnail displayed while downloading is turned OFF) but I am finding there is very little information about this and the mod that used to do this is not working any more as it was last updated in 2010.

What do you think of incorporating this option for new SMF versions? I have found it helps quite a bit to show a preview of an image to guests in order to get them to join if they want to download it. You could even go further and allow admins to set the number of posts required for new members to be able to download images (they'd still be able to preview it as a thumbnail).

I know this image preview option I am suggesting is used in other forum scripts (comes in the core) and I was surprised to find that SMF doesn't have this organically and that the available mod isn't working anymore. I'm sure many others would appreciate having this as an option too; I use other forum scripts and, as said, find this option to help with getting more members and more interaction.

Looking forward to any replies about this option!

Thanks

[Arantor]

I really don't want to implement this.

It goes against SMF's design which is that if you can see it, you can access it. If you can't see it, no access. In fact, it's actually really aggravating for me on forums that do show the thumbnail but throw an error at you if you try to view the whole thing - and unless I have a compelling reason, that's going to make me leave rather than encourage me to stay.

[Kindred]

exactly...

If you can't do it, you should not see it.


(and no... it does not get more member or more interaction....  this sort of crap on a site, the same as sites which allow users to see the post titles but require them to register in order to read the post ---   will make many users leave leave the site and never bother to come back)

[Oldiesmann]

I don't see this ever happening. It's a complete waste of resources to load the attachment and thumbnail info only to say "You can't see the full size image because you're not registered". In addition, we'd have to make it configurable so that those who want the existing functionality can keep it. Also, how would we handle attachments that aren't images, or perhaps an image type that we don't display thumbnails for (such as TIFF, RAW, etc.)?

[ElDudo]

While I understand the points you make, it could also be argued that having lurkers download images would cost us bandwidth and resources, and thus money. Forums are there for interaction and anyone who wants to benefit from the forum should actively seek interaction, at least in my opinion. Why allow lurkers the benefit to pass by, make use of my site, then have them leave without providing an iota of interaction? While it may annoy you to fall on a forum that does that, it annoys me to have lurkers stealing my images when I only want those images for my forum members who want to interact with my/our/your community, and have any potential forum member have a preview of the quality of pictures we post. If someone is interested in F1 racing and I am posting high quality pictures of the races I have been to, then that potential visitor will be even more keen to join knowing not only he gets to interact with people but also see good pictures.

I am simply saying to consider having this as an option as the argument can be made both way. In fact, there are other forum scripts that have this option in the core and one can use this option as they like, which is why you will have reached a forum that does that (it annoys me too, but that isn't a reason for me to be against it). I use another forum script that allows me to do this and by doing this I have increased forum participation, and this is crucial for a new forum.

[Arantor]

And we're saying that we considered it and we do not agree with it being a core feature of SMF. Bear in mind you've had two of the developers and the project manager saying this now... and we're all in agreement about it.

Also your own argument undermines it - you yourself are annoyed when other forums do the thing you're asking us to do.

[ElDudo]

I don't see this ever happening. It's a complete waste of resources to load the attachment and thumbnail info only to say "You can't see the full size image because you're not registered". In addition, we'd have to make it configurable so that those who want the existing functionality can keep it. Also, how would we handle attachments that aren't images, or perhaps an image type that we don't display thumbnails for (such as TIFF, RAW, etc.)?

As said, this could be offered as an option for those who have solid hosting (in my case I have a SDD VPS) and then those on shared hosting could turn it off; I have used this previewing option on shared hosting without a problem whatsoever.

With regards to the rest of attachments, those would not need to be previewed as I agree it would be a mess trying to configure that. However, pictures with extensions like .jpg, .jpeg, .giff and a couple of others where the attachment is simply a reduced-size version of the picture, that would not be as problematic as other attachments.

[ElDudo]

And we're saying that we considered it and we do not agree with it being a core feature of SMF. Bear in mind you've had two of the developers and the project manager saying this now... and we're all in agreement about it.

Also your own argument undermines it - you yourself are annoyed when other forums do the thing you're asking us to do.

How would my argument undermine it? It would, in fact, strengthen it; the fact that you are not willing to register on a forum due to a petty issue as is not being able to view an image in full scale automatically weeds you out as someone who isn't interested in the forum and who just wanted to get the images and leave it as that. Instead, if you're willing to go through the process to register and be an active forum member with the future reward being that you will get to see the pictures, then surely you would fit a better profile as a forum member; the kind we admins want to have in our forum.

I, like the rest of you, want an interactive forum. And I can tell you the people who have made it to post 11 posts so as to be able to view images in my forum are the ones who interact and keep the forum growing. I don't want image thieves or people who get annoyed by trivial things, for that tells me straight away they are not a good fit for my forum.

[Arantor]

Sure it would... you yourself said it annoys you! But you want to use the same technique to annoy your users to motivate them to register. But the fact you mention it annoys you suggests it would not encourage you to register...

If you don't want people who get annoyed by trivial things, leave it as it is designed and don't let them see things in the first place because anyone who doesn't get annoyed by trivial things will be willing to register...


Following your logic, we should make all boards visible but not let users see ones they don't have access to, and we should make the reply box etc. visible even if a user can't post, to encourage them.

Consistency across a UI is quite important. (And you're still not even close to convincing us to change on this issue.)

[superj707]

I just had to post in this tread.
Just because you guys are programers doesn't mean you know squat about people or marketing.
I know first hand from experience that thumb nails for guests WILL generate more activity and membership.
Guests get a sample of whats inside and are provided incentive to register. This works especially well if the forum has lots of threads with pictures of women.
I am sorry, I love SMF but you guys are dead wrong on this point.
Please add this functionality as requested by the OP! I really need this on my forum.
Thank you

[emanuele]

Picking the last quote just as an example, but it applies to others as well.

If you don't want people who get annoyed by trivial things, leave it as it is designed and don't let them see things in the first place because anyone who doesn't get annoyed by trivial things will be willing to register...


Following your logic, we should make all boards visible but not let users see ones they don't have access to, and we should make the reply box etc. visible even if a user can't post, to encourage them.

Actually this is a bit different IMO.

The general discussion with an attachment goes like this:
* OP: Hey all! I have this wonderful image of whatever, see it attached!
* Ans1: cool!
* Ans2: that's s*it, the one attached here is better.
etc.
Then, next to each message with an attachment there is an icon with a clip.

So, even if you are not allowed to see attachments you *know* there are attachments.

Following your logic, you should hide any topic containing attachments from anyone without permission to see attachments.