WANTED - A Forum Gallery

[Lignum]

Just going through the posts of the last six weeks and beyond especially the photo section, its so evident the quality of the work by forum members from beginers to the full timers is sensational.

From zen, ross, lou, rocker and countless others, the work displayed in this forum is as good as or if not better than any other wood forums going around.

It then seems logical that we have a Forum Gallery to display members work to the rest of the world. Kept simple with minimal text, it would be wonderfull for people to just scroll through and see whats on offer from the creative minds downunder

Some out their who are more familiar with the workings of forum threads might have some ideas that may turn it into reality.

If it was possible the only criteria i would like to see would be, you would have had to contribute at least 50 posts to be included, as that would stop people with no interest in the forum just using it as a vehicle to promote their work. Any ideas anyone

[craigb]

Just going through the posts of the last six weeks and beyond especially the photo section, its so evident the quality of the work by forum members from beginers to the full timers is sensational.

From zen, ross, lou, rocker and countless others, the work displayed in this forum is as good as or if not better than any other wood forums going around.

It then seems logical that we have a Forum Gallery to display members work to the rest of the world. Kept simple with minimal text, it would be wonderfull for people to just scroll through and see whats on offer from the creative minds downunder

Some out their who are more familiar with the workings of forum threads might have some ideas that may turn it into reality.

If it was possible the only criteria i would like to see would be, you would have had to contribute at least 50 posts to be included, as that would stop people with no interest in the forum just using it as a vehicle to promote their work. Any ideas anyone

It's not a bad idea and has been discussed before. I think it is just making more work for the poor overworked moderators though as somebody has to administer it.

Also, who is to be the arbiter of what is worth including and what isn't?

I once suggested that we have a monthly vote on all the pieces that had been submitted that month and that the winner be placed in the U-Beaut "Hall of Fame". That idea seemed to be a non-starter though.

Really, it's up to Neil. After all it's his board.

[Lignum]

Craig i take everything you said on board and have no doubt it has been discused before.

And as for what should or shouldnt be included, well you cant descriminate their to much. Someone who is a beginer and made in their eyes a lovley box has just as much right to be included as the serious maker who has included his latest masterpeice.

I was thinking along the lines when people posted photoes like they do now, if they wanted to be included, then pick just one image that is their favorite and that would be transfered to the section. Their would be no discussion or anything just a photo and the forum members name.

I realise it would be extra work but it would be the icing on the cake for such a great forum

[MICKYG]

For those interested I have a photo gallery. Its a freebie my son set up for me as he has an area of web space where he hosts various things. I use it for most of my piccys as it saves cluttering up the forum with more stuff.

It would probably create a lot of work for the great people who provide this forum.


http://gallery.groov-e.com

Regards Mike.

(Coppermine Photo Gallery is easy integrate into a forum my son informs me)

[silentC]

There's no reason I can think of for why it couldn't be done the way the 'Best of the Best' forum is handled: One thread that is locked and edited by someone (in that case, LineLefty) and another one that anyone can post to where you nominate items for inclusion. I would imagine it would be the same set up. They just have to find someone prepared to do the maintenance.

Bags not me!!

[TEEJAY]

Yep we just need a volunteer.

I am moderating inspirational websites and will set it up shortly so count me out.

But i do like the idea Lignum especially if it were divided into some kind of sections - eg Furniture, Boxes, Scroll work etc in alphibetical order.

My time here is being moderated by the work computer usage moderator counting the amount of information my machine is using - heaps really on this site with little use I think - 30 meg in two months so it is telling me to visit less - shame really.

Cheers

[Just George]

One negative that I can see is that not everyone downloads pictures the same, some are good and can be enlarged to see finer detail whereas some like were posted the other day(can't think who they were from now of even what they were of) were too small and almost impossible to see. There would need to be a uniform way of downloading these pictures.

[RufflyRustic]

Hi, Those small pictures were mine and they will be replaced soon with better pictures. Won't be doing that again.

Yes, the pictures definitely would have to meet minimum requirements to be put on such a gallery site.

cheers
RufflyRustic

[zenwood]

It's an interesting idea; I spend most of my forum time on the pics forum, looking at what others have done, asking 'how did you do that', etc.

I think it would be a lot of work to set anything up that significantly improves on the pics forum that we already have, but my suggestion would be along the lines of a "best of the best", with moderation based on expressed criteria, say:
- 500 pixels minimum size along one dimension,
- at no less compression than say 50kB per photo
- uncluttered background
- good lighting

Will follow this discussion with interest.

[Lignum]

I think the quality is generally up to standard as it is now. Some pics like wendys that she said wont happen again is the exception. As i earlier said id like to see a minimun of 50 posts per member to make it a real members gallery instead of posters who just happen to stumble apon it just promoting their work. If that was the case they would understand the quality needed. I would hate to see any bias on work quality as in having a "best of" It should be open to all members regardless of their level. I love spending time in the pic section but constantly going back and foward is a time consumer. A thumb nail gallery with last pic in first shown with members name would be fantastic. Just to scroll through see what you like then if you want just follow it up in the other photo section. Keep it simple i say

[TEEJAY]

I think the quality is generally up to standard as it is now. Some pics like wendys that she said wont happen again is the exception. As i earlier said id like to see a minimun of 50 posts per member to make it a real members gallery instead of posters who just happen to stumble apon it just promoting their work. If that was the case they would understand the quality needed. I would hate to see any bias on work quality as in having a "best of" It should be open to all members regardless of their level. I love spending time in the pic section but constantly going back and foward is a time consumer. A thumb nail gallery with last pic in first shown with members name would be fantastic. Just to scroll through see what you like then if you want just follow it up in the other photo section. Keep it simple i say

Sounds like Lignum you are after it in similar fashion to this site on scroll work http://groups.msn.com/scrollsawportraits/shoebox.msnw

Regards
Trevor

[Lignum]

Trev, whilst thats not what i had in mind it is an excelent example.

Not being computer savy at all, i dont know how much work is involved in setting up a gallery. Thats why i like the simplest way what ever that is. Just so we can all access the members favourite pic quick and simple with a minimun of fuss to all.

This type of gallery is what i had in mind http://www.vacupress.com/Gallerypage1.htm but in our forum clicking on the thumb nail just brings up that one picture and not multiples... As i said keep it simple

[MajorPanic]

I'd volunteer (I've been a pro commercial photographer in a past life) to do it but I'm pretty sure there would be coup within a week.

The photographic standard would have to be pretty high, after all not only is it representing Neil's BB (which we are so lucky to have!) but on the majority, Australian woodwork.

I was thinking of an upload once every couple of weeks so it was a regular update to the gallery.

[redwood]

Major, what a bout when someone posts a pic their is a poll at the top of that thread and you tick weather or not to have it included. at the end of the every fortnight if you get over 50% then its in

[MajorPanic]

Major, what a bout when someone posts a pic their is a poll at the top of that thread and you tick weather or not to have it included. at the end of the every fortnight if you get over 50% then its in

Not a bad idea redwood but you'd get only the regulars who'd vote. I don't know if it is enough of a cross-section to be democratic. I'd think if more than say 30 people(?) voted that would be enough.

I also think a standard size of say 700 X 525 px for horozontal & 525 X 700 px for vertical with a maximum file size of 100kb would be need.