Originally Posted by kokonutz (Post 11219493)

Would it help if we add language to the proposed TOS amendment that says something like "In forums where the ability to embed images is chronically abused, management reserves the right to disable images in that forum temporarily or permanently"?

Originally Posted by kokonutz (Post 11214527)

[I am guilty of cross-posting. I also placed this post in the private TalkBoard debate forum]

I haven't voted on the motion yet.

But based on the posts in this thread, it seems like (nearly) everyone thinks allowing images is a good idea, but some are concerned about the need for consistent standards.

To me this is something way too big and important to shove down anyone's throat, so I circled back around to some moderators of image-enabled forums as well as some of the folks expressing concerns about the proposal and picked their brains for ideas as to what could make images work while giving moderators better marching orders and keeping FT as clutter free as possible.

Here's what I've come up with. Some of the folks I asked haven't gotten back to me yet, but I figure I've got enough to put this out there and see if a motion that included this sort of amendment to the TOS would have universal support.

So:

- Is this an approach that everyone can get behind, and

- Are these TOSs and TOS clarifications adequate to make everyone comfortable. If not, what else/other would you like to see?

I have no pride of authorship here (and in fact all I really did is steal everyone elses' ideas and put them together ;)) so feel free to rip it apart if you think that's what it needs.

Also, I'm thinking it'd be good if someone could link to this post from the private moderators forum, but I don't know if that is appropriate or even if a private moderator forum exits ;). But moderator input would be good, I think.



Proposed New TOS Section:
EMBEDDED IMAGES

Embedded images are covered by these and all other FlyerTalk Terms of Service, and images in breach of them will be immediately deleted.

The purpose of allowing images on FlyerTalk is to allow posters to convey information, facts or experiences in a visual format. Please only embed images for this purpose.

Content: All images must comply with the TOS. Obscene or Offensive Language/Material and copyright TOS provisions are emphasized with regard to images. If you do not have permission to use an image or if the image is not 100% ‘work safe’ then do not post the image.

FlyerTalk strives to remain a sleek and clutter-free IBB. So the most critical TOS with regard to images is: stay on topic. Please keep your images on topic. If a posted image does not add something relevant and useful to the post/conversation the post and/or image may be deleted.

Images are not smilies. Images that attempt to convey an emotion rather than add information will be deleted. Images used to tease or mock other posters will not be tolerated.

Animated and/or moving images are not allowed and will be deleted.

Privacy: Particular emphasis for images will be placed on protecting the privacy of other FlyerTalkers. If you do not have the express permission of another FlyerTalker to post his or her image do not do so.

Ability to post: Posters must have minimum of 20 posts in post-count-qualifying forums before being permitted to post images.

Size: Generally, images should be as small as possible to make the point intended. A maximum width of 640 pixels and maximum height of 480 pixels allows users to view an image within a single post on a typical screen. Images larger than this may be deleted.

Location: Images may only be posted in the body of a post. Images in post headings, signature lines or anywhere other than in the body of a post will be deleted and could result in disciplinary action.

Hotlinking: Images should be embedded from a site over which you have control. If you want to post an image please make sure it is emanating from your photo storage account or server and not from a site or server over which you have no control. Posters are responsible for the content of images embedded in their posts whether it is the image intended to be and/or originally posted or not.

Originally Posted by GUWonder (Post 11222802)

Good start, but I have some questions.

So are emoticons/smilies considered to be images or are they to be considered as non-images according to some explicitly mentioned standard of immunity?

Originally Posted by kokonutz (Post 11226361)

I haven't seen many of these. Do moderators currently allow them?

Originally Posted by bdjohns1 (Post 11229021)

I think I've seen a few isolated ASCII diagrams outside OMNI which were useful, but we're talking about a handful of posts at best.

Originally Posted by kokonutz (Post 11232996)

I think I am ready to vote against the current motion and support a motion to allow images in all forums (except omni :rolleyes:) with this amendment to the TOS.

Originally Posted by scoow (Post 11233080)

Given the TOS changes you are proposing, why would you support a motion excluding OMNI? Based on what I've seen as a rationale for excluding OMNI, your "Chronic abuse of images" clause would apply if needed. Is there some other reason for excluding OMNI? Or am I missing something that makes OMNI special?

Originally Posted by wharvey (Post 11234494)

Kokonutz, has the TB agreed on whether or not the motion allows moderators to decide whether to enable the feature? That still is very important to be resolved.

Originally Posted by kokonutz (Post 11232996)

Ability to post: Posters must have minimum of 20 posts in post-count-qualifying forums before being permitted to post images. [I am told that this may not be technically feasable. If not, obviously it will not be included.]