There are a couple different ways to post your pictures. Here's how I did it.

FINDING A HOME FOR YOUR PICTURES
You'll first need to find a place on the web to store your photos (IrelandYes/ActiveBoard isn't able to offer that service). Once you do that, you then you need to link to those photos in your post.

If you have your own website, you can save your pictures on the same server as your site. However, using one of the web-based photo services will make your life a lot easier; they manage your pictures for you...some even resize them. Several such sites are listed at the bottom of the article at:
http://www.whorunstheworld.org/eMembership/elounge/beta/phototips.htm

For my trip report, I uploaded my pics to Flickr.com. You can post about 20 photos per month for free on Flickr (actual amount will depend on the size of your photos...FYI - if you get them posted by tomorrow, July 31st, your Flickr limits will reset at midnight tomorrow). Flickr allows me to upload my photos without any resizing, then I go in an choose the image size I want from the five sizes they provide.

LINKING TO PICS IN YOUR POST
There are a few ways to get the photos into your post. The easiest way is to just provide the link. When you have the photo you want on your screen in Flickr, just copy the URL link from the address bar. Here are some examples:

A link to my Flickr photo album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43762537@N00/

A link to a slideshow that Flickr automatically builds (clicking the photo will allow you to read the captions I added):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43762537@N00/show/

A link to one specific photo on Flickr (notice the "all sizes" link above the photo that will allow you to see it at 5 different sizes; to the right you can click on my photostream and see all my photos):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43762537@N00/195513868/

I used the "URL" or "Link" button to make these live links rather than links that have to be copy/pasted into a browser.

INCLUDING PICS IN YOUR POST
Getting the pictures to appear in your post can be as easy as using the 'IMG" button, or it can become a pain depending on how tempermental your browser is in working with ActiveBoard. It can vary depending on the size of your source images and which internet browser you are using. It actually can vary a quite a bit from computer to computer.

TIP: I suggest writing your post first and leaving extra returns where you plan to put the photos. I'd even suggest writing it in Word first...or at least copy/pasting it into Word before you start messing with adding pictures. It would be awful to lose your whole post if you made a mistake.

POSTING PHOTOS USING MICROSOFT EXPLORER
If you're using Microsoft Explorer, you can usually click on the ".< . >." (less than/greater than symbol) button up by the area where you can bold the text. At first it will look like it ruined your post, but it just took out the formatting and is providing you with the straight code.

NOTE: In the next few paragraphs, I've had to include periods between many of the code tags. When you see tags in brackets or in quotes, any periods stuck in there are just there to prevent the system reading it as code, so if you see things like ".I.M.G" or "& .n .b .s p. &", the periods are not supposed to be there when actually posting.

After clicking the ".< . >." (less than/greater than symbols) button, you'll need to find the spot where you want to add the pictures. If you left an extra return, there should be a "P" and "&.n.b.s.p.;" and an "/P"in the spot you intend to put a picture. The "P" means it is a new paragraph, "/P" means the end of that paragraph and the "&.n.b.s.p.;" is code for a single space.

Replace the "&.n.b.s.p.;" with "the URL of your photo"

TIP: When you select a size of image in Flickr, they include the URL at the bottom of the page (they call it option 2). According to the Active Board Posting How To's this should work every time, but I actually have had trouble with a broken box appearing.

I prefer this option: instead of using the "i.m.g." tag, you can paste the HTML (option 1 in Flickr) between the "P" "/P" tags. This will also make your photo clickable and will take the viewer to your Flickr photo album.

When you click on ".< . >." again, it should show you the photo in your post.

POSTING PHOTOS USING SAFARI & SOME OTHER BROWSERS
The interface is slightly different when using Safari. The formatting buttons are different. You can click the "IMG" button. It will then ask you for the URL (Flickr option 2 as mentioned above). Paste the URL and your picture is in your post. Here's a photo I took at Lough Ennell earlier this month that I posted using option 2:



TIP: many times the image ends up at the bottom of your post. Simply find it and cut/paste the whole line of code from the bottom of the post to the spot you want it.

For Flickr option 1 (the clickable one) just copy the option 1 code from Flickr and paste it where you want the picture. Here's an example:



BEFORE YOU PREVIEW OR POST
I usually copy the entire post before hitting preview (I've lost too many posts to not include this safety net). I take a peek at the preview and hit "Back," make changes and then submit the post.

There are other features you can play with, like Centering and Right Justifying, but I was happy just figuring out how to get them up there. Posting a link is very easy. Beyond that, it can get a little confusing/frustrating. My most common problem is that I end up with a link rather than a photo or the address of the pic appears with a broken box. I've been able to troubleshoot those problems, but a newbie might have some trouble. I have to admit, using Safari is much easier for adding photos than using Explorer.

If you are having trouble, people who know HTML or computer programming should be able to help you out. If you don't have access to such folks, you can email me, but there's no guarantee that I'll be able to figure it out without being in front of your computer.

Sorry if this causes more confusion than clarification. If nothing else, include the link to your online photo album (Flickr, ophoto, etc). It's not as nice as having the photo right there in your trip report, but it's still a great way to share your photos.

Good Luck!

yesiree100@hotmail.com

-- Edited by yesiree at 11:51, 2006-07-30

Thanks so much yesiree and China Cat! I sure appreciate the help. I've learned so much about Ireland and also about using my computer on this web-site.

I think we will try flickr, since you have already provided those details about it, and I like the idea that they will let me choose from the 5 sizes provided by then... Hubby is a very busy man and I need a program that will allow me to work with minimal help from him. This way he won't have to keep re-sizing all our photos for me.

I'm excited! I have never done a Visual Essay before. This will be my first Visual Essay on Ireland...

Yesiree, I have microsoft explorer but I have been instructed by my engineer son to use Mozilla Firefox as often as possible. He has even less time to spend with me on the computer, but helps me now and then!

I gotta go now but am excited to come back and re-read all this great advice in more detail later today.

-- Edited by Melissa5 at 13:59, 2006-07-30

Hi Corey,

 

Tryed posting a photo on Mellisa's Mayo chapter, guess i'm just a bad student. I will keep trying  though... You know us stubburn Irishmen !

 

Cheers !
Mark D.

YEAH !!!!!!!!  I did it !!!

It is posted ( finally)   Now I can work on the centering etc !

Thanks Again !

Cheers!

Mark D.