Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 1, 2020 11:22:05 GMT
After noticing that some posts which have a lot of video clips embedded in them are loading really slowly, even on my 200mbps connection, it left me wondering how to ease this issue, especially for members who may be on a much slower connection. I must point out that this is nothing to do with the forum. It is just the process of the browser you are using having to fetch the thumbnail headers from youtube in order to show a picture in the clip frame. What I've done is installed a system plugin that is coded to allow only the first 5 videos in any single post to display as thumbnails. Any subsequent video after the 5th one in a post will now show only as a red youtube badge. These videos are still there but to greatly cut page load times, you will only get the thumbnail if you click on the red badge. Then it will display. I'm fully aware that there is a loophole in that a member can post 5 clips in a post, then post immediately after it with another 5 clips but hopefull all members will avoid doing this and give members on a slower connection a chance to see what you have posted, rather than close the slow loading page and move on. Any questions, I'll be happy to answer. Thanks. GH. Thanks Gene That sounds eminently sensible. I have pretty fast broadband and it can still take quite a while for single posts with multiple vids to load - that said I am always curious to find out what people have chosen to post so will probably click on each icon. I'd really appreciate a bit of text with what the video is of, either instead of, or as well as, a link to the song (or clip). If it's a song I don't already know I'll usually check it out. I'll leave that suggestion there for anyone (hello Mr Epic ) to ignore, or pick up on, as the case may be. It's no biggie.
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Post by Gene Hunt on Apr 1, 2020 13:59:17 GMT
After noticing that some posts which have a lot of video clips embedded in them are loading really slowly, even on my 200mbps connection, it left me wondering how to ease this issue, especially for members who may be on a much slower connection. I must point out that this is nothing to do with the forum. It is just the process of the browser you are using having to fetch the thumbnail headers from youtube in order to show a picture in the clip frame. What I've done is installed a system plugin that is coded to allow only the first 5 videos in any single post to display as thumbnails. Any subsequent video after the 5th one in a post will now show only as a red youtube badge. These videos are still there but to greatly cut page load times, you will only get the thumbnail if you click on the red badge. Then it will display. I'm fully aware that there is a loophole in that a member can post 5 clips in a post, then post immediately after it with another 5 clips but hopefull all members will avoid doing this and give members on a slower connection a chance to see what you have posted, rather than close the slow loading page and move on. Any questions, I'll be happy to answer. Thanks. GH. Thanks Gene That sounds eminently sensible. I have pretty fast broadband and it can still take quite a while for single posts with multiple vids to load - that said I am always curious to find out what people have chosen to post so will probably click on each icon. I'd really appreciate a bit of text with what the video is of, either instead of, or as well as, a link to the song (or clip). If it's a song I don't already know I'll usually check it out. I'll leave that suggestion there for anyone (hello Mr Epic ) to ignore, or pick up on, as the case may be. It's no biggie.
That's a valid point Lordy. If anyone does go ahead and post more than 5 video clips in a post (though I still advise against this) then it would help if you gave a simple title to each clip. There is no way of getting this automated within the plugin so it would have to be input manually by whoever posts the vids. For instance: Moody Blue - Story In Your Eyes Free - Wishing Well Gene.
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Apr 1, 2020 20:51:32 GMT
I think this works well as for some reason chrome on my phone doesn't like multiple videos in one post . It often loads with blank unclickable screens where the videos are and i have to refresh.
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Lord Emsworth
Director
Drive safely, we're walking or cycling...
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 2, 2020 10:18:32 GMT
That's a valid point Lordy. If anyone does go ahead and post more than 5 video clips in a post (though I still advise against this) then it would help if you gave a simple title to each clip. There is no way of getting this automated within the plugin so it would have to be input manually by whoever posts the vids. For instance: Moody Blue - Story In Your Eyes Free - Wishing Well Gene. Thanks Gene
A couple of other alternatives...
Maybe keep it simple (we can all search YouTube/Spotify etc)....
Moody Blue - Story In Your Eyes Free - Wishing Well
OR, if you wanted to be super helpful....
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Post by Gene Hunt on Apr 2, 2020 11:03:54 GMT
Yes, that is an alternative, but my suggestion keeps people here in 4:3tv, rather than navigate away to Youtube Gene.
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Lord Emsworth
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Drive safely, we're walking or cycling...
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Apr 2, 2020 11:05:35 GMT
Yes, that is an alternative, but my suggestion keeps people here in 4:3tv, rather than navigate away to Youtube Gene. Ah. Yes. Excellent point Gene.
It would be like herding cats if some of the regulars ever escaped the confines of 4:3TV
And how long would they last on the outside?
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Post by Gene Hunt on Apr 2, 2020 11:11:06 GMT
Yes, that is an alternative, but my suggestion keeps people here in 4:3tv, rather than navigate away to Youtube Gene. Ah. Yes. Excellent point Gene.
It would be like herding cats if some of the regulars ever escaped the confines of 4:3TV
And how long would they last on the outside?
All bloody night if my visits to youtube are anything to go by! We all know what it's like when we click on a suggested clip. 4 hours later and we're still there!
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Post by Gene Hunt on May 11, 2020 19:30:16 GMT
Just an update: Things should all be set now except for a few minor coding changes. All categories are in place and where applicable I have put in custom backgrounds to go with some of the key areas such as The Sweeney, Minder, Auf Pet etc. This is a project that I wanted to complete before the forum turns 4 years old in a few weeks time. In addition to the overhaul of the structure of the forum, I have also created a brand new theme which is now available to all members. The theme is called "4 Years of 4:3tv". It has a retro feel to it but with a modern touch thanks to the new font I've used. This gives all of you the choice of 5 different themes: GH Purple - The default classic theme that has been in place from day 1 GH A2A Stars Purple Haze 3 Years Of 43tv 4 Years Of 43tv As usual, you can change you selection by clicking on the "Profile" button on the Navigation bar at the top of the page. Then click on "Edit Profile" Then click on "Settings" Then scroll down to "Forum Theme" and select one from the drop down list. Finally, remember to scroll down and click on "Save Account Settings" before you leave the page! Feel free to give them all a try and see which you like best. Thanks again to each and every one of you who contribute so regularly on 43tv. You really do make the place the success it is Gene. For the "After Dark" theme above, I have made a slight change to the graphics today. Those of you who are using the After Dark theme will notice there are now Retro TVs in place, rather than the plain yellow folders. In addition, any boards containing new posts have the Retro TV with the words "New" running through it for easy identification. Gene.
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Post by Gene Hunt on May 12, 2020 13:46:05 GMT
For the "After Dark" theme above, I have made a slight change to the graphics today. Those of you who are using the After Dark theme will notice there are now Retro TVs in place, rather than the plain yellow folders. In addition, any boards containing new posts have the Retro TV with the words "New" running through it for easy identification. Gene. I have now replaced the blue folders with the Retro TVs in the GH A2A Stars theme. Any feedback is welcome. GH.
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DI Alex Drake
AWOL
Quite frankly, your guess is as good as mine.
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Post by DI Alex Drake on May 12, 2020 13:58:50 GMT
So you have! They're rather swish. I see enough folders on a daily basis (or should do ). I approve .
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