Why the restriction on animations?
May 21, 2024 | 9:37 am
#1
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,184
Why the restriction on animations?
It seems quite hypcritical to me that users are prohibited from posting animated GIFs, while pretty much every ad on the site uses animation that's far more intrusive and disturbing. I recommend this restriction be revisited, or that all ads be restricted in the same way.
May 21, 2024 | 6:54 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 17,996
The ads are what pay for this site.
Large-data posts by FlyerTalkers would slow it down. As a user in a low-bandwidth environment, photos are bad enough.
I am tremendously grateful for the current policy, which is very prudent indeed.
Large-data posts by FlyerTalkers would slow it down. As a user in a low-bandwidth environment, photos are bad enough.
I am tremendously grateful for the current policy, which is very prudent indeed.
May 25, 2024 | 3:16 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 21,947
I agree completely. The fact that the rule (or maybe it's just a recommendation?) to not include photos in replies/quotes of posts containing them is frequently ignored is bad enough.
May 26, 2024 | 2:53 am
#4
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, MH Platinum, BA Silver and sinking, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 9,290
There are two reasons why animated images aren't allowed: one, as outlined, is the bandwidth it takes with the consequent impact on page load times.
The other is that we're not Facebook. We're a little more interested in serious conversation. I love much of the humour on FT - there was a place for static Lolcats in the now-departed BD forum, as an example - but generally speaking the only thing animated images add to a post is irritation for others.
We cannot control ad content to this degree because it comes from an external provider, tailored to provide value to the advertiser. We can control our own content, so we do.
This isn't something we're going to change.
NWIFlyer
Community Director
The other is that we're not Facebook. We're a little more interested in serious conversation. I love much of the humour on FT - there was a place for static Lolcats in the now-departed BD forum, as an example - but generally speaking the only thing animated images add to a post is irritation for others.
We cannot control ad content to this degree because it comes from an external provider, tailored to provide value to the advertiser. We can control our own content, so we do.
This isn't something we're going to change.
NWIFlyer
Community Director
Jun 8, 2024 | 10:01 pm
#5
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,184
I'm OK with the bandwidth explanation (sort of), but this one I don't buy. If you didn't want FT to be just like FB, you never would have added the "like" feature. That's 100% FB and cheapens the brand, but the obvious intent is to be just like FB.
Jun 11, 2024 | 12:15 am
#6
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, MH Platinum, BA Silver and sinking, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 9,290
Putting that in allowed people to say "thank you" without cluttering up threads with unnecessary short posts that didn't add anything to the discussion. It makes the site much more readable and navigable as a result.