Is it time to up the min pic size? Also question about consoles…
 

I still have my rules set to 500 on the longest side but damn these pics look small on today's monitors.

I'm thinking of upping pic size to 600 on the longest side.

Also about consoles…
Really thinking of limiting sponsor's consoles on submitted sites to one unchained console. I actually only list sponsors with no consoles on the paysite links that I add in so this would be one more console then I use on my own stuff.

I second your point on the min pic size. Even on this 17" montior, those 500px pics are small.

As far as consoles go, having a rule about that would force me to click through to paysites and I'm far too lazy for that.|dizzy|

The console thing is a result of the feedback that I get from my surfers. I often wake up to a box full of pissed off surfers complaining about console hell from some of the free site ads. I want my surfers to click on ads not be afraid to.

Cleo, the image size thing is about right.... I have started personally to push nearer to 600 or more on the short side, and my picture sizes are often larger than that. I am also now being less concerned with actual image size, realizing that more and more of the surfers are on broadband of some sort and can tolerate 125k for an image without dying.

As for consoles, well, with the various combinations of console, console free, random, and other options, you can't even be sure you getting the same thing twice - not even thinking about banner rotations that might put a different link on a banner in the same location.

Now, if you can find very specific sponsors that are console hells, then you might want to decline to list sites promoting those sponsors. That would help your surfers and keep your job from being overwhelming. Trying to partol console counts on a sponsor link on a linked site is a bit long in the reach.

Alex

I agree on the pic size.

The console issue will always be difficult to control. I've had sponsors change their "1 console tours (read Surfer Friendly :D )" to a 2,3 even 4 console tour. It's not something the submitter can control.
My POV is, either you allow consoles or you don't allow them at all.

I agree on the larger pic size |thumb

Yea...it's getting to where 500 on the long side almost looks thumbish on a larger screen. Agree completely with a bump to 600 |thumb

Consoles wise, I hate the damn things...especially the ones written specfically to get around pop up blockers. But, also don't see myself having time to check every sponsor tour |dizzy|

I'm in total agreement. :D

Yup, same here.

I usually make my pics at least 600 without losing any quality and keeping the file sizes under 100k.

Lisa

I agree on the image part too.
Though I can't recall it to be a major problem with too small pics, usually it looks to be the other way around.

We might have a similar problem with too many pics on a free site. In my oppinion 40-50 pics is just a bit much.
We need better quality content then TGPs, not more of it. That just can't be done.

I used to check adds and popups for a short period last spring, but damn was it time consuming. One could hope that people use common sense when using popup tours. Ah, who I'm I trying to fool...

I agree on upping the size of the images as well. If my penny pinching self can justify purchasing a larger monitor, I'm sure many surfers are doing the same. If they are properly optimized, the file size doesn't get big enough to make dial up surfers wait too much longer.
As to consoles, I doubt I'd go so far as to make a rule against them, as I don't have the time to try and monitor every one. However, if i happen to click on one and it not only gives me pop-ups but takes over my admin window.. DELETE!

Same here |samauri|

Absolutely agree |thumb

I spot check sponsor tours...if it does anything overly nasty to FF...the submission is toast. One unchained console is fine...a second one starts getting me cranky. Anything beyond that...grrrr |club|

ditto on the pics. and nothing is worse than being in console hell.

dammit..mind WHO you are pinching..

|sandm


|whisper| Pssst Simon--we might have a good candidate!! :D

Updated my rules today after feedback from this thread and from my surfers.

New rules,
• Pics no smaller then 600 on the long side. No video grabs. Except for submits to Web Cam Girls, these can be 320x240 if they are actually web cam grabs.

• Sponsor links can not be a console hell. Consoles on sponsor links are ok but should be limited to just a few and be easy to escape from.

• Sites must fit within a 800 wide browser window. I use Firefox to do reviews. You can get a plugin for it that resizes the window to 800 wide here. Web Developer.

Last one isn't really a new rule but I did add a link to it for those that want to install the Web Developer tools.

And thank you for doing so! Just what I needed!

That's an awesome extension Virgo...you're gonna love it!

Added: Excellent idea Cleo |thumb