Hotlinking aka Insert Image aka [IMG] BB Code tags aka image embedding function

[Automate]

Now, all of those with some knowledge of rules should know that hotlinking to non-thumbnail, non-signature sized images (and non-GIF images, since GIF sites do seem to allow hotlinking by default) is forbidden here. Of course, it is pretty much rampant anyway, since new members don't seem to read the rules and some people just rebelliously keep using it anyway for full size pictures even if they know the rules.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to make a plugin (or if one already exists) or something for vBulletin 4.0 that would make it impossible to use hotlinking for images of rule-breaking sizes in the first place. It should immediately inform of anyone trying to make a post that hotlinks to a full picture that you're not allowed to do so.

Naturally the downside is that those with paid premium accounts to e.g. ImageVenue would find this irritating, since hotlinking to full pictures is allowed with a paid account (or maybe those ACOs or OCSMs that hotlink to pictures hosted on their own sites and don't mind the traffic from here, though I don't know if even they are allowed to do so). I'm guessing that not too many posters here have paid accounts to image hosts though..

 

[Petra]

Unfortunately, there's no good way to prevent this since we use this feature for all of the images we put on the board ourselves. Plus, we encourage ACOs and OCSMs to use this feature as well since they usually already have the images on their own server and can link directly to it.

So best way to deal with this is to report the posts when you see them. The mods need stuff to do afterall. ;-)

 

[Automate]

Yeah. I figured that this might be too problematic to implement as there are several legitimate uses for it. Otherwise you would probably have done so several years ago. The fact that OCSMs and ACOs are encouraged to do so makes sense now, but I wasn't completely sure at first.

Another thing related to this is that the post reporting function gives a strong impression that it's to be used only in some rule violations:

Note: This is ONLY to be used to report spam, advertising messages, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts."

Maybe the wording could be adjusted so that one would know that it's supposed to be used in the case of reporting hotlinks to full pictures as well? Initially I just sent PMs to the mods because I wasn't sure of using the report function.

 

[Petra]

I can reword the rules. Tomorrow though...I need to make dinner!

 

[HeartBroker]

Petra[/URL][/B], post: 5704801, member: 114093"]The mods need stuff to do after all. ;-)

OMG!
:eek:


No wonder I never applied!