Suggestion: Profile Backgrounds FS limit.

[Azaxx 111]

Hey all.

Just wondering, if it was up for discussion for the profile background's file size limit to be increased from 255kb to something more respectable like 500kb?

I'm not sure if this has been talked about, but it's awfully annoying trying to find a nice background that I enjoy that is or is under this limit. I haven't been able to find one, after going through my entire backgrounds folder on my computer and through a quick run through from Google Images.

 

 

-Azy

[Nohbdy 4,108]

Hey all.

Just wondering, if it was up for discussion for the profile background's file size limit to be increased from 255kb to something more respectable like 500kb?

I'm not sure if this has been talked about, but it's awfully annoying trying to find a nice background that I enjoy that is or is under this limit. I haven't been able to find one, after going through my entire backgrounds folder on my computer and through a quick run through from Google Images.

 

 

-Azy

Larger profile backgrounds will take longer to load, potentially becoming inconvenient for users who are trying to access the profile. If I understand the site's history correctly, there used to be an option to use external servers to host your background picture (similar to the img tag in the post editor), but this was removed because MLP Forums had no control over the speed of those sites. Our webmaster, Feld0, had this to say: 

 

 

You answered your own question. I don't want people uploading huge background images because they have the potential to seriously slow down page loads. As the images would be hosted off-site, I don't even have any control over the speed of the servers hosting them.

 

Additionally, when images are hosted off-site, there's no telling how long they'll exist. Some sites, like Photobucket, may pull your image down if you exceed a transfer volume limit. Some suffer from slow, overloaded servers. Some delete your images after some time.

 

It is possible to increase the 255 KB limit on images uploaded to MLP Forums, but that's not something I plan to do at this time.

Also, you can reduce the size of your images pretty easily. The simplest option, if you have it, is to use a photo editing program to compress the image. Most modern programs allow you to significantly reduce the file size, but without drastically affecting the image quality. I've done it with Photoshop using the "Save As" option, but I'm sure other programs will also have it, considering how basic the function is. 

 

Personally, I wouldn't mind having a small increase in background image size, perhaps by 100kb. Feld0 said he didn't plan to make any changes back in August, but I think it's worth bringing it up again (though he's probably busy with Poniverse stuff). Perhaps it could be implemented as a donor/subscriber perk? 

[Zygen 6,066]

Well I've honestly not even yet made or used a background on my profile idk how big a problem it is.

 

Although seems like it won't happen since it would be a bit slow on some profiles, if it did get changed id say maybe a smaller change, but not one quite as big.

 

I don't know the speed difference honestly though, and again don't really have a profile background anyways.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,526]

A larger allowance for profile backgrounds has been requested a few times, and there does come a point where an image will simply look like crap if you try to compress it to 255 KB. Would anyone be interested in having a larger limit for subscribers/donors?

[NavelColt 22,880]

Would anyone be interested in having a larger limit for subscribers/donors?

 

That sounds like a very good idea, actually. Another profile feature that I bet a lot of people would be happy to receive for helping the site out.