Is everyone ready?

Do you have your photos selected?

Have you figured out the templates?

Do you know when to post your fOtodiary?

We're getting close now: the fOtofair is this coming weekend. If you answered no to any of those questions, don't fear! There's still time to get involved, and the fOtofair team is here to help.

For this final diary, we'll post the links to all the previous diaries, take a look at next steps and what to expect this w/e, and open the diary to any questions and/or comments.

- Contents -
(Click to jump to a section)

Diaries and Links
Next Steps
What to Expect
Questions and Comments

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We're back!

This time we'll look at creating the actual fOtofair diary, including where-to and how-to insert your clickable thumbnails. If you've missed any of the previous diaries, check them out here. We'll also take stock and do a Recap, and then look at Next Steps.

- Contents -
(Click to jump to a section)

fOtofair Diary Layout
Diary Template
Photo Comment Template
Recap
Next Steps

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Hello! In this installment we're creating clickable thumbnails for the three photo hosts recommended in the last fOtofair diary. Thumbnail files are smaller and this allows the diaries to load quickly (which is important for BTers on dial-up), while offering access to higher resolution images. Check out the great explanation of clickable thumbnail links written by ejmw.

Once again, we welcome your questions and feedback. Please feel free to practice creating clickable thumbnails in the comments section below. Most of all, have fun!

Please recommend this diary so that everyone has a chance to read it. To find the most up-to-date diary when it has fallen of the rec list, check out the froggy bottom cafe which posts a link on the virtual bulletin board.

To make this diary more manageable, click on the photo host site you are using to jump to that particular section of the diary.

Photobucket | Flickr | Imageshack

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Greeting's, once again, from the fOtofair team. We've been busy putting together the criteria for this years fair, and today, we're also going to delve into the wonderful world of fOto-hosting sites.

Before we get started, thanks again for all the responses to the Launch Diary and for your votes and volunteering...we will be in touch.

As you can see, the date selected was October 28-29, with a submission deadline of 21 October for those needing help with creating diaries...more on that later, but props to all!

Please stand on the moving yellow line...and repeat after me...

Submission Requirements:

    All submittals must be:

    ORIGINAL work

    B&W, colour, and manipulated, ie: photoshopped, images    
        are included

    NO VIDEOS

    Maximum photos per diary: 10. HTML Primers are below and  
        Posting templates and details will be in the next
        communique.

Simple, eh? Thought so...Now the fun stuff...

fOtohosting Sites:

Photobucket:

The first, most popular, and, in the not so humble opinion of some fOtofair team members, best site. Easy to use, lots of storage: 1G, multiple image uploading, easy editing, creates thumbnails [more on that next time], excellent privacy controls, and lots of good tutorials and forums for assistance. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Flickr:

The second place finisher, has lots going for it. Easy to use, automatically resizes photos, good privacy controls...the works. Requires a Yahoo ID but, it has a fairly restrictive upload requirement...20Mb/month...very easy to burn thru.

ImageShack:

Very similiar to photobucket with the notable exception of some difficulties with the thumbnail links, and their attendant ads, which cause some browsers to crash, most noticeably, Mac OSX2.8/Safari. We have been unable to test it w/ later V's such as OSX3.9 or 4, and would appreciate any input re: it's efficacy with those.

A fourth site, kind of the new kid on the block, is Zooomr. Very similiar to Flickr, with more bells and whistles, and lots more storage. But, very buggy on Macs, again, OSX2.8...so if you've tried it, or try it, w/ a later version of OSX, please chime in as it looks very promising.

And, just for FYI purposes, here's a list, not inclusive, of other hosting sites that we've id'd. Again, any insight you might have regarding these or others, is encouraged:

    Picturetrail

    Alternatives

That's all we got for now, the next installment will be devoted to HTML, How to do Thumbnails, and the template for posting your fOto diaries. For those of you wishing to read ahead for extra credit, RenaRF's excellent HTML 101 @ MLW is Highly Recommended. [Hope that's ok MSOC, and all the wingers are invited to participate!] as is Superscalar's outstanding: How'd Boo do that?

Questions, comments and all input is encouraged and requested.

Please Recommend this diary so it may reach everyone who may be interested

Thanks, we will be back.

(Original diary below the fold)

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