Don't know what hotlinking is? Here is an explanation:
Hotlinking takes place when you direct link to a website's files (images, videos, etc). As a result, this uses up the pages bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data transferred from a website to a user's computer. When you view a web page, you are using that site's bandwidth to display the files. Since web hosts charge based on the amount of data transferred, bandwidth is an issue. If a site is over its monthly bandwidth, it's billed for the extra data or taken offline. In lots of sites, it is considered theft.
Avoiding hotlinking will save a lot of trouble for you guys, as some sites that know their images are being hotlinked ban people for it.
With this explained, I would like to remind you that to avoid this, simply upload your picture to image-hosting sites, such as the ones listed below:
• gifyu (we are still learning about this one)
• 8upload
• lensdump ($$$)
• imageshack ($$$)
• If you know of other free hosting sites, feel free to suggest them as long as they are not ruled as Not Allowed.
Please note that Imgur, Photobucket, Toyhou.se and Deviantart are NOT acceptable sites to upload images from. You can see a masterlist of what is and isn't allowed in this post.
The above list will change if these sites have their Terms of Service changed.
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To post an image to the forums, take the direct link of the image. Go to Insert > Image and paste your direct link into the Source section. To prevent your image from being cut off, set your width to a value less than 600px and the height will automatically sort itself out.
Images by Kháos, 'how to use Gifyu'
(Original thread created by Dark Moon)
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2025 Update: Postimg/Postimage is no longer an acceptable site to upload images from due to the inappropriate ads that the website sometimes features. You do not have to move old art but ARE required to upload NEW art onto a safer art forum.
Winter Month: 3 
Night 
Clear Moon: 
