800 is good for the forum, although 500 will display large enough for anyone to view it easily. I sometimes use 1,000 pixel-widths only because I prefer that for Facebook and don't always want to have two different versions.
In order to allow for sound files, I have had to increase the allowable size of files (in kilobytes). In order to avoid the uploading of overly large photo files, however, I have capped that at 1,000 pixels in width, which is what I have always recommended as the maximum size.
There are (or there may be, as I haven't looked lately) sites that are made for hosting photos that can be linked to from other sites, such as forums. Feel free to use them if you like, using the "Image" link above. When you link to a site that's intended for that, it should display here just fine. However, there are other site owners who don't want you doing that because it uses up bandwidth on the other site without attracting visitors to that site. Some of these will employ code on their site that will disable viewing of the image when it is linked to in that way, which will result either in a broken image on this end or on a pre-prepared graphic that asks people not to link to photos on their site. Keep in mind, also, that when you link to an image on a site that requires a login, such as another forum, the image will sometimes only be displayed to those who have a login on that site, displaying a broken image graphic to everyone else. Often, it's best to save the image to your computer and then upload it here, using "Upload a File," and then choose to display it in full or as a thumbnail. These should always display to anyone here in the forum and is generally the less problematic way to do it. However, you will have to reduce the size to 1,000 pixels or less in width if it is larger than that. If you are uploading a photo or other image to the forum, be sure there aren't any notices on that site about copyrights on the photo. Most things that are circulating on Facebook or Twitter will be fine, but some other sites will have notices against displaying using the photo elsewhere. Usually, that would simply result in a legal request to remove photo but it could get nastier than that, particularly if I don't notice the email. Professional photographers or artists might display galleries of their work on a website, and they will want people viewing them on their website, not elsewhere. Several sites will include a watermark on their photo or image. This does not necessarily mean that they can't be used, but simply that no one else can claim them as their own. As a courtesy, if you are uploading a photo from another site, it's a good idea to include a link to that site, but this is not necessary for Facebook or Twitter stuff. In short, if the site has a warning against stealing photos or images, then don't do that. For example, here is an example of such a notice from Shorpy Historic Photo Archive & Fine Prints If you are a blogger writing about Shorpy, you may use an image from Shorpy to illustrate your blog post. You may only use the small (512 pixels wide) images for this purpose. You may not recreate the entire site, sections, collections or galleries on your server or in any publication. If you use an image from Shorpy you must include a link back to either Shorpy.com, the original post or the full-size version of the image. Do not add Shorpy photos to Flickr or other photo sharing sites.
Some forums allow browsing images in our PCs. This one does not, I think? Click "image", it wants an URL. My pictures have no URL, unless I get one assigned by my image processor, servimg.com, a slow, involved process. Is there a way to self-assign an URL to an image from my PC? Thanks! Frank
When replying to a post, click on "Upload a file" at the bottom of the reply area. (Next to Post Reply.) When the box opens, click "Browse" and locate the file on your PC. Highlight the file and click "Open." The photo should appear at the bottom of your post, allowing you to choose whether you want a full-size image or a thumbnail.
@Beth Gallagher Thank you! I should have known that, but just tried the little image option at the top. Anyways, I went ahead with my OP, just finished it, about today's "adventure" under photos and videos, if you care to look. Frank
@Frank Sanoica It had been so long since I posted on a forum, I tried it the same way your did till I saw the option @Beth Gallagher posted. Makes it a lot easier doesn't it?
You can also drag and drop images to the reply area. If I know just where the image is, I'll use the drag and drop method. Otherwise, if I have to browse through folders, I'll sometimes use the Upload a File method, instead.
@Ken Anderson Drag and drop I've heard many times, but do not really understand the term. Is it the same as my "cut and paste"? Frank
No. Here's a how-to on drag and drop. With a mouse or a trackpad, it's pretty easy. Here's a video on drag and drop with a Mac, although I expect it's the same or similar on a Windows machine.
I use drag and drop a lot @Ken Anderson ..... but it just occurred to me, would it be possible to drag & drop a whole file onto SOc?
You can drag and drop multiple photos at the same time, but not the folder. That's normally when I use drag and drop here, when I am going to upload several photos.
Here is what Ken says about adding pictures to your posts, @Craig Swanson . This will probably help you a lot more than my explanation.
@Ken Anderson @Admin I have been having difficulty uploading IMG files from my PC. When I try to submit I am being shown this graphic. Accepted file types: zip, txt, pdf, png, jpg, jpeg, jpe, gif, mp3, wav Max image width: 1,000 pixels As most of my PC pic files are IMG where do I do from here?