Probably has been suggested before and elsewhere. (Lyn; aka LynEve has suggested this in the past on a discussion thread, for example.)


Is there any way to make the viewing of images full screen mandatory before placing comments on an image's page?

Much like and akin to that of the Voting Booth. (Don't view 'full screen' in the Voting Booth ... can't assign a number.)


I realize that it may not improve the type of comments/constructive critiques, etc. posted.

However, it may work towards that of alleviating, what I have observed and see ... as a growing problem of decreasing 'morale'/goodwill within the community.

Has to be disheartening for a member to work towards putting their best creative foot forward and summarily be dismissed by a 'drive-by' commentary.


At least with this in place, feelings may stay.. somewhat warm and fuzzy.

Might help to alleviate pointless schmaltz as well (ie "Nice pic!" comments)

I would vote for that. Won't change a thing about the comments but at least we would know for sure that the people who say "super sharp image" to an out of focus shot are nearly blind ;c)

"Won't change a thing about the comments but at least we would know for sure that the people who say "super sharp image" to an out of focus shot are nearly blind ;c)"

LOL - how true!

schmaltz may not be helpful but speaking personally it is not completely pointless - proves someone at least looked at your image, even if only the thumbnail. That is why we post them - for others to look at, no point otherwise. It really would be much more gratifying to know it had actually been looked at properly.

. . . Tiptoes out feeling somewhat warm and fuzzy . . . . . :)

I think I recall being able to see how many people viewed my images, without having comments left. It is true that a lot of members here feel they have to say hello on their friends images to show their friends that they have done their duty, but those with many friends often only do just that. Not everyone of course, but some. This leaves many artists here, especially new ones without comments and languishing in the Lonely Images.

Perhaps another metric of the site should be how often people comment outside their friends list to show how committed they are to the site and its objectives, rather than to their own social life.

I think that is a great idea Les.. as you said at least they will see the sharp-detailed image is actually out-of-focus and full of grain.. It's not going to stop from friends saying hello on another friends image just means they actually have to look at the image first..

Ya know..

I had a thought (or four), about the Lonely Images and such..

And the following is not an indictment against the Friend's List. As I do think it can serve the purpose of being quick links to galleries and/or new image postings ... if one chooses and applies it that way.


Given the number of times that members have voiced/posted about the consumption of time that the Friend's List brings with it (if not managed well, or, if one is away for a few days) ... how's about instituting something like the 'Foofy Friday' thing?

Wherein, and where upon ... one day of the week ... 'you' (speaking generally here) don't comment on any of the images posted for that day that originate from your Friend's List.

Instead, you are freed from whatever obligations 'you' might feel, knowing that it is understood and accepted ... to step outside and view/comment on some unknown artists' works.


The one thing at the top of my list, where the Friend's List is concerned, is that I think it is very easy to fall prey to sameness. For lack of a better descriptor.

If the same group of individuals are commenting on 'your' images, day in/day out ... where are the fresh perspectives coming from then? And conversely, if 'you' are only viewing those images that originate from your Friend's List?

Not out of the question, but I do feel/think/believe ... 'you' are selling yourself short if one stays within an insulated creative circle and never moves past those boundaries.

Les, I understand what you are driving at. But, for me, my friends list is not a "zero sum" scenario. I add new friends all the time. I think if one is an admirer of art/photography, the desire to see more work by that gifted artist exists.

I add artists whose work I admire and my desire to be aware when they post something new. I am not selling myself short nor feel that I am in an insulated circle. I imagine I am also not unique and sense that most members have a living and breathing friends list compiled of artists whom they are moved by. After all, it is the emotion of the art that thrills us all.

I would hope that if someone likes a picture I have posted that they do not have to wait a day or two to comment on it. I want to read what is thought of my pictures for that is one of the big reasons they have been presented to this community.

Les, I agree with your sentiments but I am sure many members already do what you have suggested, and are not imprisoned by a list. I am glad you as not bashing the Friends List - that has been done so many times by people who assume having a friends list precludes people from exploring further and that is not always the case.
Incidentaly I have just been to lonely images within the last hour and am very surprised at the lack of comments left there.

I believe those who use the VB have ample opportunity to 'discover' new work and new artists and that is one of the reasons I continue to use it - and also a reason I believe it would be of benefit in more ways than one if it were compulsory.

Do you envisage this day being left to the discretion of the individual or making it a more formal thing - such as a Wandering Wednesday or a Searching Saturday ?

I have friends here, but I don't have a friends-list, so I have too see all the new images to see what every one have been posting that day(s) and it works for me, I see pictures of new members passing by and of course the VB helps a lot to see other work than only that of your friends-list!

But I have to see to Les... thumbs up for your thoughts :o)

I agree Les... there are certainly more active members that have an astounding number of comments on every image they post, even when they post every day. It does seem that some of that "commenting energy" might be better utilised by sending it the way of some lonely images, but on the other hand I guess it's their time and they are free to use it in the way they wish.

I'm not sure sure all contest voters view full screen either. Not talking about the latest contest in particular, but I have seen winners that looked good in the preview, but up close there were noticeable flaws.

"Do you envisage this day being left to the discretion of the individual or making it a more formal thing - such as a Wandering Wednesday or a Searching Saturday ?"

Left to the discretion of the individual, of course.


Although naming a day might be a good good idea to 'informally formalize' things.

Any other suggestions on this latter note?

I'm not sure that I would remember such a day, whether it was an official day or one I nominated for myself. I still quite like my idea of a random list of links being generated alongside the friends list. :-)

"I still quite like my idea of a random list of links being generated alongside the friends list."

I did not see your suggestion before, Tootles. It's a good good one. :o)


Kind of like dA's 'random deviant' thingy, perhaps?

I can't remember where I suggested it; maybe it was the poll thread during a discussion about whether or not we should keep friend lists. Some folk were saying they find new things in the voting booth, which is random, so I wondered if they might enjoy a 'lucky dip' list of images to look at.

The random deviant thing must be like the 'next blog' link that used to be on Blogspot (don't know if it's still there). I stopped using that, as quite often you would end up on a splog... that wouldn't happen on dA, though, or here. ;-)

Found my suggestion under the suggestion poll:

"An idea I was toying with was that the friends list could be replaced by (or supplemented with) a random list of new images to look at. The voting booth is seen as a place to spot new works that otherwise wouldn't have been noticed -- folk value that, so the idea of a list of randomly generated links isn't as daft as it might at first sound. :-) As with other notifications that show up in the sidebar, it could be ignored... but I could imagine being curious to know what was there. Like a lucky dip.

PS It doesn't even have to be for new images only... maybe half new, half old. :-)"

Thanks, Tootles.

Appreciate your time and that of you rooting out your original suggestion. :o)

~ le bump ~

Ouch! (Rubs elbow).