Forums | MacLife
You are not logged in.
#1 2007-03-17 3:45 pm
- mtpalms
- plz stand by
- From: Telstar
- Registered: 2002-09-16
- Posts: 4524
Just 2KB more...
I have 3 requests for Rik and the Admins consideration regarding avatars:
No matter how small the image, Photoshop never creates an image less than 8 KB. For simplicity's sake, could the limit on avatar file size be raised to 8 KB?
My second is a request that the file size and dimensions for avatars be listed on the Personality page under "Set your avatar display options", instead of on the upload page itself.
These are just small things that have always annoyed me, and annoyed me again today. Also, instead of a cryptic nonsensical error message - which tells the submitter nothing - if the avatar is not proportioned right, how about an error message that just says the file won't fit the stated dimensions?
One thing I would like to see come back is a 'previous' and 'next' pages option, in multi page threads
as in: previous, 1, 2, 3..., next
I won't mention titles in tabs again, as I am sure that's on the 'honey-do' list already 
Thanks.
Offline
#2 2007-03-17 4:14 pm
- sosumi
- numbery
- Royal Wombat
- From: North Mexico
- Registered: 1999-02-21
- Posts: 17513
Re: Just 2KB more...
It should be pretty doable with Photoshop if you use its web settings that strip out things like the icon preview and the like. I never have a problem with Fireworks getting images down to a usable size. And yes, I've had images that were more complicated that text based animated gifs.
Offline
#3 2007-03-17 5:07 pm
Re: Just 2KB more...
File sizes are reported in multiples of 4 kB, because that's HFS's block size.
,xtG
.tsooJ
Offline
#4 2007-03-17 6:06 pm
Re: Just 2KB more...
Alien wrote:
File sizes are reported in multiples of 4 kB, because that's HFS's block size.
,xtG
.tsooJ
Yes, Thats right and to elaborate a bit: Photoshop will tell you the actual file size in the save dialog/save for the web screen.
The Finder will lie to you and just tell you the "times 4k" size and as far as I can tell it always rounds up so a 4.1k file will show as 8k.
I’m not ready to make nice-I’m not ready to back down-I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round-It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could-‘Cause I’m mad as hell-Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
Offline
#5 2007-03-17 6:20 pm
- mtpalms
- plz stand by
- From: Telstar
- Registered: 2002-09-16
- Posts: 4524
Re: Just 2KB more...
When I save to web in Pshop, I see the 'real' size, but the Finder's get info size seems to be the yardstick the Forum uses. I always have to reduce it further to get it to work. And/or open and save it in another program. Maybe it's pebcak.
Offline
#6 2007-03-17 6:20 pm
Re: Just 2KB more...
The Get Info dialog will tell you the exact size, though.
,xtG
.tsooJ
Offline
#7 2007-03-17 8:12 pm
Re: Just 2KB more...
It'll be the value listed in bytes not KBs and remember the limit is 6144 bytes.
Offline
#8 2007-03-17 8:46 pm
- Nefarious
- Snow Meiser
- Moderator
- Registered: 2002-09-30
- Posts: 6775
Re: Just 2KB more...
Regrettably, there is no sign of an increase in avatar size.
Offline
#9 2007-03-17 11:39 pm
- kamizuno
- Poking you with a stick
- From: Smileytown
- Registered: 1999-07-13
- Posts: 1881
Re: Just 2KB more...
do the avatars get cached or do they download everytime you go to the forums, because if they get cached then I don't see why it can't be bumped up to 8kb 
Offline
#10 2007-03-18 12:03 am
Re: Just 2KB more...
Well ya but truth be told it aint no trick making a decent looking 80x100px avatar at or under 6k.
I’m not ready to make nice-I’m not ready to back down-I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round-It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could-‘Cause I’m mad as hell-Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
Offline
#11 2007-03-18 12:45 am
- benightedbastard
- Cheap and Juicy!
- From: Western Australia
- Registered: 1999-06-03
- Posts: 28731
- Website
Re: Just 2KB more...
In the age of grotesque internet bloat I am still madly in love with 6K avatars. It's not hard unless you have a transparent png or animated gif.
Offline
#13 2007-03-18 4:05 pm
Offline
#14 2007-03-18 4:56 pm
#15 2007-03-18 5:09 pm
- mtpalms
- plz stand by
- From: Telstar
- Registered: 2002-09-16
- Posts: 4524
Re: Just 2KB more...
The point isn't to gain a measly 2 KB.
This 6 KB rule was made before HFS+, if I understand correctly. If the default is 4's and 8's now, what's the big deal making it 8 instead of 6? Simplify it for us folks that aren't graphics geniuses, but know just enough PShop to be dangerous? I don't know if Elements does this too, but lots of people use that as well.
Offline
#16 2007-03-18 5:40 pm
- benightedbastard
- Cheap and Juicy!
- From: Western Australia
- Registered: 1999-06-03
- Posts: 28731
- Website
Re: Just 2KB more...
What all the 4 and 8 stuff means is that a 6K file will take up 8K of space on a disk, but will nonetheless only take up 6K worth of bandwidth. When you get info on the file, what is the size listed in bytes with the parentheses?
Offline
#17 2007-03-18 6:25 pm
- mtpalms
- plz stand by
- From: Telstar
- Registered: 2002-09-16
- Posts: 4524
Re: Just 2KB more...
In Pshop when I 'save for web' it will be less than 6 KB, greater than 4. After I save it, when I do a 'get info' on the file from the Finder, it says 8 KB. Unless I open it in another program, and save it again, then a 'get info' gives me the proper size. If I try to upload it as a 'Photoshop jpeg', the m|lf site seems to see it as 8 KB and doesn't allow it. Or I have to shrink it to less than 4 KB.
Offline
#18 2007-03-18 6:42 pm
Re: Just 2KB more...
Don't use Photoshop use Imageready.
and if you're having problems making an avatar, just ask for help.
Last edited by ukimalefu (2007-03-18 6:49 pm)
Stack it!Offline
#19 2007-03-18 7:35 pm
- mtpalms
- plz stand by
- From: Telstar
- Registered: 2002-09-16
- Posts: 4524
Re: Just 2KB more...
Image Ready's ugly*, but okay then.
*(in other words, that idea escaped me completely before you just mentioned it)
Offline
#20 2007-03-18 7:41 pm
- KingFred
- is enjoying his status as
- Royal Wombat
- Registered: 2002-05-09
- Posts: 7541
Re: Just 2KB more...
When you "Save for Web" in Photoshop or in ImageReady, one of the options under the little right-pointing arrow (just right of the Optimize window) is "Optimize to File Size..." Enter 6 in there and it will make the final file under that size.
If you save an image in PShop or IR, you're usually including an image icon for that file. That desktop icon does count for some of the k's while on your computer but doesn't transfer with the image when uploaded.
Exploring the intertubes
Offline
#21 2007-03-18 9:27 pm
- mtpalms
- plz stand by
- From: Telstar
- Registered: 2002-09-16
- Posts: 4524
Re: Just 2KB more...
Thanks KingFred! 
Doesn't make me a graphics genius, but it moved me forward.
Offline
#23 2007-03-20 11:36 pm
- ConnertheCat
- 7 Months Later
- From: Penfield, NY
- Registered: 2001-07-21
- Posts: 13405
Re: Just 2KB more...
I think part of the reason the admins keep it at 6k is because they enjoy hearing people complain about it.
Solar Plexus!
Offline
#24 2007-03-21 2:00 am
- SpacemanSpiff
- Stupendous Man
- From: Transmogrifier
- Registered: 2001-07-31
- Posts: 5518
Re: Just 2KB more...
Well, as parent, I make rules for that very reason, also. Nothing says "I love you, daddy", like an unhappy child.
"The first time one sees natural beauty which is privately owned; oceans as people's back yards, confounds the senses. I didn't know God had a a toy store for the rich." -- Spanglish
Where forums are fun again: macstack
Offline
#25 2007-03-21 9:10 am
- mtpalms
- plz stand by
- From: Telstar
- Registered: 2002-09-16
- Posts: 4524
Re: Just 2KB more...
Finally! Someone that understands me! 
I'm available for adoption.
Offline
