NEW Policy - Picture upload file size

[RTaylor]

We have made the decision to change the upload file size limit from 955k down to 500k. Many of you were uploading the largest file possible which I wasn't expecting. This is causing us to run out of room on the server fast. If we have to upgrade the server space, our monthly cost doubles. If the cost doubles, we will probably have to go to an annual fee of $20-25 in order to cover our server costs.
If for some reason we have to go to an annual fee based service, this will not effect those members who donated in 2009/2010 via out donation link.

We are not asking members to delete any of their photos, but instead we decreased the upload size to 500k which is really all that is needed for many online photos.

I have also gone through all the past years Photo Challenge categories and deleted those photos since we had no idea who they all belonged to since that contest was uploaded anonymously by users. That alone has save us some needed space.

Thanks again for your continued participation in helping to grow the membership of Bytephoto

[Buddy4344]

I'm sure most folks know, but for this site the best practice is do size images to 72 dpi and max. and width (or height) around 800 pixels. This will significantly reduce your upload file size.

[Marla]

ok with me Ruth, no problem!

[Gymnast46]

Thanks for the heads up. Happy to comply.

Thanks for hosting this great site. I'm learning a lot from the experienced photographers here.

[KHedquist]

Buddy is right 72 dpi is the ticket. Most of my files are saved at 167K with pretty good results.

Kevin

[Eslwinshot]

most of my entries here - i always saved my works at 800x534 pixels at 72 dpi and save at quality 8 and it gaves me less than 200kb and it looks good in my screen..

[RTaylor]

yep, I know all your long time members were in the habit of uploading smaller sized pictures

We just found out what was going on.
Turns out it wasn't disk space, it was resource space. Think were were at like 98%
Steve had the server company research for us what could be happening.
Turns out just 2 days ago Steve created bytegallery.com and loaded the software to see what we could do with it. It was on the same server that bytephoto was on.
That very same day a #$%@%#$%@ spammer got a hold of the bytegallery mail server and began sending out mass spammer mails that bogged us down.
So Steve had to immediately shut down the website until we have all the settings set right.
darn spammers, why don't they get a REAL job lol