The inclusion of large, unnecessary images in threads. Opinions?

[The Sceptical Chymist]

This has been something that's been bugging me for a while now, and instead of making the title of this thread "A call for members to stop using huge, gaudy, unnecessary graphics in their threads" I thought I would solicit the community's opinion about this and see if they agree with me.

There are a few members who consistently use gigantic images in threads they create, usually right at the beginning of the OP.  This drives me nuts, because it causes more scrolling than there needs to be and those images are completely unnecessary.  They add nothing to the topic being discussed.  You see this same nonsense in articles from the media, the most common being a picture of physical golden bitcoins when it's an article about bitcoin in the mainstream press.  I don't think members here ought to include that kind of crap in their threads, as it wastes the time of every single person who has to scroll past the image to get to the text, and it probably wastes bandwidth and who knows what else.

Edit:  This practice reminds me of Youtube videos that all seem to start off with extremely loud music that just shouldn't be there, because it's often louder than the content that follows and adds nothing to the video.  It also reminds me of the late 90s where amateur Geocities websites often had gifs that took forever to load and froze the page.  This isn't a critical forum issue by any means, but goddamn....it annoys me to no end.

I'd like to know what everyone thinks about this.  Below are some examples by members who are doing it.

cheezcarls:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5202796.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5202659
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5202536
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5202426
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5202397
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5201229
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5200828
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5200516
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5199712
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5199583
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5199496
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5199432

Debonaire217:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5199202
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5198588
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5197994
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5197984
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5197808

CryptoBry:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5195491
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5193728
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5193608
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5193471
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5193035
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5192587
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5192467
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5191238
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5151758
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5150934
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5149952
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5149417
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5147417
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5146138
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5145625
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5145151
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5144825
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5143835
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5143306
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5142952
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5142447
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5141796

[DireWolfM14]

I like adding the "height" function when I post an image, and if I want to give access to the full resolution version, I make the image a link.  That way, even if the image to which I'm liking is huge resolution, I can control how it appears here on the forum.  The "width" function will do the same thing, but the "height" function prevents the page from scrolling as the image loads.

Code:

[url=https://i.imgur.com/bNBVzle.jpg][img height=400]https://i.imgur.com/bNBVzle.jpg[/img][/url]

[Stack23]

This is not a blog, but a forum. In blog posts such images look good but not in a forum.
So for me, these images are annoying specially where there is no need for them, avoid it.

[akhjob]

Tbh, I don't give a shit regarding the images posted in the forum, I tend to ignore them if they are not necessary. Regardless, these graphics are completely unnecessary and users should avoid posting them when they are not necessary. Anything that is beyond necessary is bad, either it be a huge wall of text or overuse of graphics.

[DooMAD]

I like adding the "height" function when I post an image, and if I want to give access to the full resolution version, I make the image a link.  

Which is greatly appreciated.  But, if I'm understanding it right, this topic is more about whether the images being posted in those examples need to be present at all.  They aren't really conveying any useful information and seem to be purely decorative.

[LoyceV]

I checked a few, and most of them seem to have one thing in common: they're all advertising an external link. I've seen many users that mainly post to advertise, and despite being against the rules, they seem to get away with it.

It's going to be difficult to stop those images though: users have many freedoms on this forum, and that shouldn't be restricted. I've also created topics with large images, so I don't think a general rule against images will be good.

On Altcoin Announcements, almost all topics start with a big image instead of text. Someone must have realized it helps to earn money, so they now all do it.

[Lafu]

We have seen that starting nearly half an year ago in the german board for translations also !

There are some ANN's that only have 5-9 Pictures and nothing written as an normal Text in the ANN.
Mostly the pictures are linked to other webpages and stuff.

Looks like they getting lazy on creating ANN's and just posting pictures.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I've also created topics with large images, so I don't think a general rule against images will be good.

Note that I wasn't proposing that a rule be made against this.  I really just wanted to get some opinions on the matter, to see if it was just me blowing my stack or if members agree with me.  I'm not even sure if anyone else even noticed it going on, but I sure as hell did.

On Altcoin Announcements, almost all topics start with a big image instead of text. Someone must have realized it helps to earn money, so they now all do it.

Yeah, I've got that section on ignore so I never even realized that--but I'm not shocked, of course.  I knew there was always a link to an external new site in the examples I gave, but I wasn't exactly sure that they were trying to advertise for those sites.  Makes sense if they are, but a lot of members post links to news items (like Hydrogen, who often picks some good ones in the Economics section) and there is some value to that.  Those huge images, though.  They suck in mainstream media, they suck in crypto news sites, and they suck triple hard on bitcointalk.  

In my humble opinion.

Edit:

What I find absolutely reproachable is when one decides to insert an non-resized image in the middle of a discussion, which totally breaks apart my 'rhythm of reading' when following a thread.

Yes, yes, yes.  I see that so much in news articles and it drives me nuts.

[actmyname]

Huge images in post #1: no problem as long as it does not obstruct reading. These are usually because there are some elements that cannot be recreated with bbcode, or can be more-easily recreated without the use thereof.

Huge images in post #2 onwards: problem.Images fragment reading and create a separation between what precedes and follows the image. Moreover, the incongruent forms of media between the text and the image further blossom into the separation.

What I find absolutely reproachable is when one decides to insert an non-resized image in the middle of a discussion, which totally breaks apart my 'rhythm of reading' when following a thread.

[Harlot]

One thing that annoys me when I'm in the press section is I always see the posters including the thumbnails of the news article in their post, obviously most of the images are animated or vectors and it doesn't really have any function but to get more attention for the news itself. But I really wonder why they have the need to include it on their own post? First off it doesn't really relate to the news and even if there is one it's just an image of the person they are talking about or just images of the Bitcoin logo on it which doesn't add up to anything about the news. If the posters want to get the attention of the readers itself I think a much better approach is to adding an opinion about the news itself rather than just copying and pasting the article including the thumbnail.

An example of the image I'm talking about. (Resized)

Taken from this topic.

[actmyname]

One thing that annoys me when I'm in the press section is I always see the posters including the thumbnails of the news article in their post

Most of the Press board is a shitpost anyway, so this isn't really igniting an ember to a forest fire as it is igniting the remains of the Hindenburg.

[YOSHIE]

That is what people call "black hair, different thoughts".
If, everyone understood what was said, of course there is no war in this world, everyone wants to live in peace.
In this forum, there is a contest about free speech and democracy, people do what their brains say, no matter what others say, that's what is happening now.

People have different characters, in the hobby of writing and like to post pictures, though, the image is out of place, it is someone's behavior and character.

In fact, if we scream until our voices are gone, character, cannot be changed, he still does what he thinks he should do, hobbies, that's human.

another example:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5188569.msg52594010#msg52594010
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5188569.msg52610047#msg52610047
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5170687.msg52610090#msg52610090

[El duderino_]

I agree and I get it that it can be annoying for some people, I don't care to much.... But when you have a collection of members who's threads your annoyed with, why don't just leave them and just don't visit those....

Probably they think its a bit cooler of some kind

I hope you don't dislike a picture or a meme from time to time 

But indeed in a serious discussion or thread it isn't necessary .... though i'm not disturbed by them.

I have passed a few lines where you ask the OP's to not post them though...

In the end I think its just some peoples style of posting as well.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I hope you don't dislike a picture or a meme from time to time 

No, not at all.  In fact, I really like when members post memes because they usually make me laugh.  Nor am I annoyed by pictures in general, just the ones of the type that I listed, ones that distract from the text, cause more scrolling, and don't add anything to the thread.

I have passed a few lines where you ask the OP's to not post them though...

Yeah, I have done that but I realized that it isn't my place to tell them what to do and that I'm just one member with an opinion.  Not like any of them listened to me anyway, lol. 

In the end I think its just some peoples style of posting as well.

I disagree; including a huge picture isn't a "style" like it would be for a member who frequently posts memes or charts or whatever.  Or if it is a style of posting, it's a really bad one IMO.  There really is no reason to include enormous graphics that serve no purpose.  And with that, I think this is going to be my last post in this thread.

[Harlot]

One thing that annoys me when I'm in the press section is I always see the posters including the thumbnails of the news article in their post

Most of the Press board is a shitpost anyway, so this isn't really igniting an ember to a forest fire as it is igniting the remains of the Hindenburg.

I still got the same sentiments on the style of how posters do it on other boards. Just like what the links ThePharmacist has provided most of the examples aren't in the press board yet I still feel that images that aren't relating to the body of their post is still an unnecessary addition to their post and will just cause a distraction rather than the added attention they want. If the images aren't diagrams or infographics and just thumbnails to get the attention then they aren't really worthy to be included at all.

[TECSHARE]

I also find this annoying, especially since it shifts the text as I am trying to read it as images load, it makes me want to punch toddlers its so agitating. I generally just stop the page from loading once the text loads. I even have some users in Politics & Society that will go out of their way to make images I take the time to turn into a URL so they don't spam the page loading useless copies of the same images, back into active images as if you can't just scroll up and look at it.

[LTU_btc]

Oh yes, such images is really annoying. And I don't kmow why people who are posting think that these images are needed. Because it's not news media or blog where all articles need to have image. But here, I doubt that animated Bitcoin logo or something add much value to topic. As pointed by someone above, mostly people who advertise external websites with their articles are doing. Maybe they think that image here helps attract more clicks to their article and it works in similar way like clickbait title, but I don't think they are right.
What is even worse - people quoting whole OP without removing image. It's so annoying and in such cases I would like that demerit button would exist. Because mainly spammers are doing it who don't add nothing constructive with their quote.

[rhomelmabini]

If they are just announcing a post through external links maybe an unnecessary images shouldn't be added. I don't know if they're just posted it via mobile since it's much smaller to see if they do it that way, just my humch though. That's not a bad habit at all but for some people that only want to read the discussions on the thread it means something to be irritated.

What is even worse - people quoting whole OP without removing image. It's so annoying and in such cases I would like that demerit button would exist.

That's the irritable one to see and I wouldn't think twice to ignore that user. Maybe demerit is good but if this will done I would propose that those who can demerit one user are the one who merit them from before or on their merit lists or vice versa.

[cryptoaddictchie]

Tbh, I don't give a shit regarding the images posted in the forum, I tend to ignore them if they are not necessary. Regardless, these graphics are completely unnecessary and users should avoid posting them when they are not necessary. Anything that is beyond necessary is bad, either it be a huge wall of text or overuse of graphics.

Yeah but having some image with details in it can't be bad right? Like some info on a particular event. I myself posted frequently with image, but solely for the purpose of showing of some direct tutorials and easy instruction for those who will read my post. Yes, sometime it's annoying but for some reason other's like it. Well, I'm speaking for those who like it but for some who dont. I guess they just really annoyed on how the image posted.

I believe image can make youre post nicer but also include the size of it so they won't be annoyed when they reading the wall of text included.

[tranthidung]

If one want to learn how to include images in your posts or adjust image displays in their quotes, I know one good place for them: Wall Observer.
That is a very Mega thread and people posts a lot as well as include lots of images but they know how to do it wisely and don't bother readers' eyes.
See how one of them do that: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=178336.msg53122716#msg53122716
Original post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=178336.msg53120174#msg53120174

There are three ways posters can do when quoting images-included posts:

• Using original image-displays in posts they quote: That is not the thing posters should do because they help to spread annoying images.
• Adjusting image-displays in posts they quote: That is what posters should do if they still want to let readers that there are images in original posts. Then, if readers want to see original images, click on link to original posts.
• Completely cutting annoying images from their quotes: That is most of experienced users do.

I recommend to do the second or third option.

What I presented is for noobs, not experts.