Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

I really like the skiing background now.

profile picture
Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
I think you guys should put more sweet skiing photos as background's instead of the NS one.
Apr 20 2011 1:54AM
0 0
profile picture
dave44
Posts: 11052 - Karma: 113
Click for larger image
Apr 20 2011 4:58AM
0 0
profile picture
MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
This one if the winner of the Photo of the Season contest. But if you guys really like this its maybe something we can look at more often
Apr 20 2011 8:51AM
0 0
profile picture
*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
I love the background now.
I'd definitely like to see more shots show up.
Preferably those of average members.
Apr 20 2011 8:57AM
0 0
profile picture
SassySloth
Posts: 3753 - Karma: 2,095
This. go through the NS photographers group on Flickr time to time and pick out a picture.

i think it would be sweet for your average newschooler that takes photos to see your picture as the background
Apr 20 2011 9:09AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
Funny part about this is its exactly the way we always used to do it. We had skiing backgrounds before anyone else in the industry...

We decided to ditch it for moderate performance increase when people were requesting that the site speed up.... but shit yeah we can start putting this back up.

As for using regular NSers photos - deal. However, what we need is people posting their photos on here lol.

I guess this is the same thing as Vimeo vs. NS video system eh? If our picture system didn't suck so bad you'd use it?

What do you guys like about flickr so much that we could try to implement?

Apr 20 2011 9:14AM
0 0
profile picture
nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
On a slightly different note, pics and vids are definitely the next thing to be upgraded. Media is the lifeblood of our sport - the reason why skiing is global, so deserves attention.

Also, there could be some sort of the 'photo of the week' thing? The highest rated new photo from the previous week is the new background or something like that?
Apr 20 2011 11:56AM
0 0
profile picture
RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
BLAM!
Apr 20 2011 12:17PM
0 0
profile picture
j.bird
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 15
Great post. I have a couple things to add:

I think it is a great way to not only increase traffic for the site by to increase the good natured/activity/competitiveness of the photo section (more like video section of NS) by creating that contest. I can't imagine the boost in traffic you get from kids logging in eery day to check back on their month long bracket style photo contest. Also keeps kids stoked on making it into the first few rounds, so everyone feels like they got included a bit. This is going to help out the photo section so much as far as activity and quality photos.

Solid move, more photo contests like that.

Also, I think a big thing is the lack of solid thumbnails. Thats what draws me away from the NS photo section. Also the fact that the images are static on NS. If you made a way to LINK you facebook/flickr/twatter/etc to your NS photo profile, without letting it be flooded with stupid shit(thats the kicker to figure out. Maybe have a specific NS upload tool so you have still have to choose which ones to send to NS.)

Having to go to NS to load pictures then do nothing with them that you couldn't have already done on your other page/site doesn't seem worth it to me.

Also, not sure how much the photo background is going to slow speed. With the repeating NS background you are still loading an image file. The speed is defined by how efficient the programming/functions are. The background is often the first thing that I get, and it always loads super quickly.

One last thing to add to the video player. When the Volume is down, I don't need a big old sign showing me it's down all the time. If you feel it's necessary to let people know, then maybe your volume slider control could be redesigned to be more usable. Usable in the sense that it serves its purpose and shows you the volume is down within itself, not needing another eye sore in the middle of my video to do it's job.

Not hating, just simple tweaks I think would make the site run better.
Apr 20 2011 12:17PM
0 0
profile picture
fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
I think if there was just something like a monthly photo contest, it would be a viable way to please members, and display some great photography. And don't complicate it or anything. If it were possible, just have submissions sent in and have some ns higher ups (mods, admins...any random person who happens to be hanging around the offices, etc.) vote on it so it doesn't become a member run popularity contest.

Though I can already assume there could be problems because that space is semi-frequently used as advertising space...
Apr 20 2011 12:49PM
0 0
profile picture
Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
ok, make the photo section not rape image quality then
Apr 20 2011 12:51PM
0 0
profile picture
.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,090
maybe even have a small thread in media and arts to vote for weekly/monthly pics to be a background.
Apr 20 2011 2:11PM
0 0
profile picture
Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,168
Quoting for good idea
Apr 20 2011 2:21PM
0 0
profile picture
FilmingBitch
Posts: 6463 - Karma: 212
I think when we upgraded to the more aesthetic photo section we lost some functionality. The "Upload" button always gets lost to me, and it's slow to load. The thumbnails are nice but I think the whole section is too busy... I have noticed that almost no one comments on the photo section anymore, let alone looks at the photos, yet when I was at the peak of my photo posting most pictures had at least 10 comments. I wonder why this is?

I think using member pictures would be a great idea for the background as well. It will be a very specific size/composition that will work though...
Apr 20 2011 10:25PM
0 0
profile picture
-Marc-
Posts: 865 - Karma: 207
I love the background now, but I'd like it if you guys kept doing this instead of putting the ads on the background, I get kind of annoyed when I click on the side so I can scroll and it brings up a new window
Apr 20 2011 11:17PM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
it's because your older and not as hot anymore



besides that, what she said is true though, picture section doesn't get comments like it used to.
Apr 20 2011 11:36PM
0 0
profile picture
FilmingBitch
Posts: 6463 - Karma: 212
I'd like to think I am a lot like Scotch... in that I get better with age. So your suggestion can't be possible...

Haha I wasn't referring to my own pictures though! I meant in general, yeesh. No one gives constructive criticism either. I suppose I'm contributing to that problem, as I haven't ventured into the photo section in a while anyway...
Apr 20 2011 11:46PM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
don't worry, i was just joking. we all know you're one of the NS cougars.


i miss the old incorporating the monthly picture with the site forum.
Apr 20 2011 11:51PM
0 0
profile picture
FilmingBitch
Posts: 6463 - Karma: 212
Ah photo of the month! That was fun. The front page is overly busy now so i avoid it all costs (sorry Doug). Too much clutter!!!

Mango, fun story: according to the WWF my inner animal is ... guess what?... a Cougar.
Apr 21 2011 12:00AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
I also miss photo of the day like Pinkbike has now. Some of the pics were hilarious and some were stunning. Had good variety.


Cougar eh? Even more fitting then. How did the WWF decide that for you?
Apr 21 2011 12:06AM
0 0
profile picture
FilmingBitch
Posts: 6463 - Karma: 212
Well this is rather off topic now, but this is how:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/inner-animal/inner-animal.html
Apr 21 2011 12:20AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
I got a Polar Bear.
Apr 21 2011 12:26AM
0 0
profile picture
soulskier
Posts: 17805 - Karma: 3,821
fuckin snowy owl?! i'll deal with it because the description is rather flattering but come on
Apr 21 2011 6:31AM
0 0
profile picture
.frenchy
Posts: 18212 - Karma: 12,257
Bison! Hell yea haha
Apr 21 2011 9:39AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
Its all good - honestly the constructive criticism is more than welcome. Its about time to do a little refresh, so we're open to ideas.

I completely agree that the photo section needs some work... and actually we've been working on it like crazy for a long time.

You see... when we went in to fix up the video section, we learned that basically the way it was on the backend there was no difference between how photos and videos were handled. This meant that in order to improve the video section, we had to re-work photos too... and both sections were so old and haggard that the only way to fix it was to re-build it.

So thats why all of this has taken so long... its so much deeper than just the video quality issue - its all the media handling on the site. From the way that photos go into the news to posting in the forums and into the galleries... it was all one giant clusterfuck of old code.

Thats why its the latest project we've ever done. It just turned from trying to make a new uploader for the videos into re-writing like half of the website.

The photo suggestions I'm getting now are:
-Higher Quality photos necessary
-Photo of the day/week would be sweet
-photos private by default so there isn't so much garbage
-Button location needs improvement
-Better upload?

Anything else I'm missing?

Apr 21 2011 9:50AM
0 0
profile picture
Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Ah! I got one.

When you upload a photo, please make the

"You have succesfully uploaded "DERP.jpg"

a straight link to the uploaded photo. Nw you have to go Profile--> Pictures --> Public/Private --> Photo if you want to upload something that should be for a quick and easy reply.
Apr 21 2011 10:43AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
Snow leopard. Ohyea
Apr 21 2011 11:35AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
Yeah, what animal are you Doug?
Apr 21 2011 11:48AM
0 0
profile picture
.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,090
me too. fuck yeah
Apr 21 2011 12:55PM
0 0
profile picture
Squidles
Posts: 225 - Karma: 98
snowy owl
Apr 21 2011 10:38PM
0 0
profile picture
MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,589
ld be cool if you guys tried to put up a new picture every week or somthin
Apr 21 2011 11:14PM
0 0
profile picture
jorb.co
Posts: 2581 - Karma: 468
i remember when i discovered the internet
Apr 22 2011 1:04AM
0 0
profile picture
The_Future
Posts: 1418 - Karma: 607
The photo background is SOOO much better than clickable ads. Holy crap those are annoying. I'm all for using the background for advertising, but you should restrict it to artsy ads that will enhance the look of those site.

Things look really good right now.
Apr 22 2011 4:03PM
0 0
profile picture
CMYK
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 336
OMG TWINZZZZ
Apr 22 2011 6:32PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)