Improved Image Uploading

TheEric · 2009-07-26 22:54:11

The problem with that is that sometimes there are duplicate filenames for the same pictures. (e.g., DSC0054.JPG)

The method that TXP uses works well and prevents duplicate filenames and the associated pains of renaming said files to something like DSC0054-2.JPG and whatnot. If you can come up with a better solution Driz, then by all means use your stellar PHP skills and submit a patch.

iblastoff · 2009-07-27 00:31:11

TheEric wrote:

The problem with that is that sometimes there are duplicate filenames for the same pictures. (e.g., DSC0054.JPG)

The method that TXP uses works well and prevents duplicate filenames and the associated pains of renaming said files to something like DSC0054-2.JPG and whatnot. If you can come up with a better solution Driz, then by all means use your stellar PHP skills and submit a patch.

i just tested uploading two images in wordpress with the same file name. it automatically appends a number to the second file. i don’t see how this is a pain? i’d prefer an accidental upload be named christmasvacationwoohoodrunk.jpg and christmasvacationwoohoodrunk1.jpg rather than 054.jpg + 055.jpg.

driz · 2009-07-27 00:46:49

@iblastoff Yeah thats what I want to see in TXP

PascalL · 2009-07-27 12:59:13

I’d be very happy with Driz’s proposal.
I often post pictures on one or two forums as well, and having full file names makes linking easier and more meaningful. And, I’m asking those who know, isn’t it better for SEO to have meaningful file names?

And btw, what’s wrong with ftp? For exemple, I like zenphoto because of the way you can drop loads of image into a folder via ftp. I don’t know any easier way, especially on my Ubuntu/Debian system where ftp access is done transparently through a folder on my desktop (using a password). I know zenphoto has to scan folders every time, which would not be acceptable for txp, but a refresh button in the admin side to load newly added pictures would do. I know, this is yet another features than what’s asked here, but while we’re at it ;) Btw, zenphoto’s subfolder feature helps to make duplicate names even rarer.

Regards!

Pascal

Last edited by PascalL (2009-07-27 12:59:54)

driz · 2009-07-27 15:02:38

@PascalL While thats a good suggestion, I agree with you that adding yet another feature will just thin this concept out. Perhaps your idea could be a plugin for those who desire it. And would be able to connect with the proposed improvement to the core discussed in this article?

More importantly are we any closer to a conclusion of what we think is an improvement to the image system in TXP? I for one also hate the number system having to be typed manually in the write column ontop of my complaint about having the images use numbers at all.

Bloke · 2009-07-27 15:29:51

driz wrote:

More importantly are we any closer to a conclusion of what we think is an improvement to the image system in TXP?

Ask the previous thread on the subject :-o

It’s been going in circles this one for a while. I’ve been working with TXP imaging for quite some time and know my way around it so have a fairly good grasp on what narks me about the current system (numbering notwithstanding — that might be too ingrained to change easily).

Some stuff should definitely remain as plugins because they’re more flexible and have faster release cycles than the core. But if there’s anything that I can put in the core to facilitate making kickass plugins to enhance the day-to-day drudgery of dealing with masses of images, I’ll do what I can.

Firstly, I’d like to put in some tags for getting at the ‘missing’ image fields (alt, caption, filename) etc. That’s an easy win, imho. I’d also like to smash the image_index and image_display tags in the face with a tin of beans, replacing them with an image_list container so you can do rudimentary galleries without having to rely on over-the-top gallery solutions (*cough cough*)

At the other end of the scale, a popup image chooser with thumbnail preview on the write tab to save you having to type the number in is a great idea (I’d use it all the time) but whether that is really a core feature of Text pattern (not Image pattern!) I’m not sure yet.

Under TXP4.2.0, the new pluggable_ui() system means it’s easier than ever for a plugin to entirely remove the Article image text field and replace it with something else. Taking that into account, why should the core restrict the interface to a fixed dropdown+preview when a plugin could make an entire lightbox (jmd_image_selector-stylie) or a full preview system, or to show the fullsize image, or a multi-select list box, or…

Plugins can now even turn on/off or rearrange other parts of the Write tab to ease the workflow for people dealing predominantly with images. The core couldn’t possibly hope to cater for all use cases so a plugin makes more sense here, imo. Might even write one myself if I get a chance :-)

The Images tab itself is high on my priority list to improve the workflow. Personally, I find the numbering scheme in the image directory and the lack of subdirectory support a pain. But I understand why the numbering was done that way historically — rightly or wrongly. Unpicking that from the core now is a major undertaking. Perhaps easing the workflow in other areas of the interface will help obviate the need for changing the underlying numbering scheme, I don’t know right now.

Last edited by Bloke (2009-07-27 15:32:56)

renobird · 2009-07-27 15:42:24

At the other end of the scale, a popup image chooser with thumbnail preview on the write tab to save you having to type the number in is a great idea (I’d use it all the time) but whether that is really a core feature of Text pattern (not Image pattern!) I’m not sure yet.

Jm’s image picker should get ya part of the way there.
As for the the thumbnail preview of attached images – I think there’s a plugin for that too – but I can’t seem to find it.

masa · 2009-07-27 15:44:19

Bloke wrote:

Firstly, I’d like to put in some tags for getting at the ‘missing’ image fields (alt, caption, filename) etc. That’s an easy win, imho. I’d also like to smash the image_index and image_display tags in the face with a tin of beans, replacing them with an image_list container so you can do rudimentary galleries without having to rely on over-the-top gallery solutions (cough cough)

Both ideas definitely get my vote.
I recall fumbling quite a while in the beginning to get my first gallery going. All the methods described in the FAQ relying on the core only seemed awkward. Your suggestion of an image_list container makes a lot of sense imo.

masa · 2009-07-27 15:47:03

renobird wrote:

As for the the thumbnail preview of attached images – I think there’s a plugin for that too – but I can’t seem to find it.

bot_show_image will display the first article image – very useful.

renobird · 2009-07-27 15:50:12

Just wanted to chime in again with another vote for “for getting at the ‘missing’ image fields (alt, caption, filename) etc”.

masa, yep bot_show_image was the one I was thinking of. – now we just need to mod it so show more than the first image.

:)

Bloke · 2009-07-27 16:07:01

renobird wrote:

Jm’s image picker should get ya part of the way there.

masa wrote:

bot_show_image will display the first article image – very useful

and then renobird added:

now we just need to mod it so show more than the first image.

Exactly! Whereas 95% of people will find an article Body and an article Exceprt useful on a web site — and thus having text fields for those makes a lot of sense — when it comes to linking images with articles, there are so many varied use cases that whichever one is chosen would be wrong in someone’s eyes. Some people would want the full jmd_image_selector, some would be happy with a dropdown of image filenames, some with a thumbnail preview, some want a fullsize image, some want to be able to put multiple image IDs or filenames in and make a gallery, some don’t want any article image and prefer to use a custom field to hold a category from which to make a gallery… the list goes on.

The lowest common denominator is a text box that can take a single image ID, but can be replaced by a plugin to offer whatever functionality someone desires. That system is in place from 4.2.0. We could of course boil that argument down and say that about a lot of the controls on the Write tab (why just two categories or ten CFs, for example) but they were unfortunately design decisions taken on day one that we have to live with for the time being due to the vast ramifications of changing them. Both are adjustable with plugins from 4.2.0, thankfully.

In short, I don’t think the image system is “broken” per se, it’s just sub-optimal right now :-D

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#13 2009-07-26 22:54:11

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#14 2009-07-27 00:31:11

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#15 2009-07-27 00:46:49

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#16 2009-07-27 12:59:13

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#17 2009-07-27 15:02:38

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#18 2009-07-27 15:29:51

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#19 2009-07-27 15:42:24

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#20 2009-07-27 15:44:19

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#21 2009-07-27 15:47:03

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#22 2009-07-27 15:50:12

Re: Improved Image Uploading

#23 2009-07-27 16:07:01

Re: Improved Image Uploading

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