I'd also like to mention about using links to images in posts.
Our vB database permits linking to valid http: image files, using the IMG button (above the box where you type your message) or by manually typing in the [img] tags. These image links can be placed at any point in your message, unlike attachments, which always appear at the end.
Some websites permit linking to their images, and some do not. Sites (or their servers) that do not permit linking to images will often automatically re-write http: addresses, so that the image cannot be accessed from a remote link. What you'll see instead of the picture, is an icon that looks something like one of these:
broken links icons
In Computerspeak, it's called "hot linking" or worse "bandwidth stealing". Most people are totally unaware of this as a problem, and do not intentionally mean to "steal" someone else's bandwidth.
Here is a really good article explaining about the problem,
Bandwidth Stealing, from websiteawards.xe.net.
There ARE many sites which do permit linking to their images, and some are specifically set up to be used for linking to bulletin boards and in email messages ... smilies, icons etc. Here are some sites that I've found useful and great source of fun smilies to put in your posts
:
Another thing you can do ... if you have photos posted on a free website, perhaps an on-line photo album for sharing with friends and family .. just post the url address as a link in your message. That way, the reader can click on it and go to the actual website where the picture is posted.
Or, right click and save the picture to your own computer. Then post it as an attachment in your message.
Hope this is helpful to you all.
Doreen