The Difference Between an Image URL and a Regular URL

[TheDarkReaver]

I am quite frankly sick of banging my head on the desk every time I see someone attempt to post an image, fail and not find out how to fix it. The main cause of this is people not understanding what the URL for an image is compared to that of a page that contains an image. I will now try and explain this.

Most people who have this problem use Flickr, so lets use a Flickr page as an example.

This is your typical Flickr Page:



Here you can see the image, any comments on it etc etc. The address (or URL) for this page is at the top, contained within the address bar.



This is NOT the URL for the image. In no way do you need to copy this in order to post or insert an image. You will leave this alone, you will disregard it, it is not your friend and it will kill you children in their beds. This is how you will think of that address because it is a bad, bad thing (unless you are actually wanting to post a text link to a flickr page of course, then it is all sweetness and light).

The actual image url will differ to this one. An image url will general end with the name of the file, with a file extension. So typically this will be .jpg. If you remember this then it will easy to recognise if you have a valid image URL.

To find this on your flickr page then just right-click and select "copy image url", or if you've got firefox then "copy image location". This is not possible on this particular flickr page because of a script flickr uses, but if you go to view all avliable sizes you can do it from there.



Once you have to copied that then you should have something like http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...fd646923a5.jpg

Now just stick it in some img tags ( [img] [/img] ), or use the "insert image" button in the post new thread screen, and you're away!

Of course, if you are using flickr, or any other popular image hosting site, there is an easier way of posting an image here.

Simply look above the image on the page I showed you before and click on "Share this". Select the "Grab the HTML/BBCode" option and copy the code it give you. Post it into a forum reply and you've successfully posted an image that will link back to your flickr page.



I hope this post has now helped you understand what to use when something asks you for an image url.

Quick recap:

Regular - PICT0002 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Image - http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...646923a5_b.jpg

One ends with an image file extension and the other does not.

[RLucas]

Awesome post! Sorry you had to get so pissed to write it!

[TheDarkReaver]

I just want people to do it right. Every day, mostly in the assignment thread, I see people failing and giving up without looking for the answer themselves. A simple Google search or a look around this forum would probably give them the answer. Some do ask when they realise something is wrong and if I see that I will try and help them, but a lot of people just leave it and move on.

[milosh]

Great post, just one more note though: When you click the "Share this" button and select the "Grab the HTML/BBCode", it's fine to copy and paste the HTML address and code if you're posting here on DPS. On 90% of other forums you'll have to click the BBCode and copy the BB code. That's one of the things that make DPS board so cool.

[Digidave]

You have a much larger forehead in your Avatar than you do in your self-portrait example you used here. Why is that? Did you really mean to emphasize your forehead that much?

Me? I usually wear a hat.

Without a hat:


With a hat:


P.S. I do appreciate your little tutorial. That always bothered me too.

[lputman]

Yes, don't forget, when posting from flickr, there must be a link back so utilize the share option and copy the html that is in the window for the appropriate size and paste it directly into the body of the post, medium is perfect for dPS.

[zona5101]

[img] dark reaver banging head repeatedly[\img]
[me laughing] ha! [/ me laughing]

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by zona5101

[img] dark reaver banging head repeatedly[\img]
[me laughing] ha! [/ me laughing]

[TheDarkReaver]

Massive forehead!? lol.

I think it must've been the camera angle in the avatar picture. *looks shifty*

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

I just want people to do it right. Every day, mostly in the assignment thread, I see people failing and giving up without looking for the answer themselves. A simple Google search or a look around this forum would probably give them the answer. Some do ask when they realise something is wrong and if I see that I will try and help them, but a lot of people just leave it and move on.

It happens on most threads. It they go into search, they would find the answer instead of asking something that been hashed over time and time again.