Someone posted, on a couple of other strips, a link to a blog post by the GC manager who made the decision to change the posting rules that explained his rationale. This was roughly a week ago, give or take a few days. One of the strips on which the link was posted was Calvin & Hobbes. The gentleman also explained that the reason there was no advance notice given is that the site, as currently constructed, does not allow them to post such warnings.
From my perspective, the most compelling reason he gave was that the image links place an undue burden on the servers of the websites that host the image. He says that, on occasion, that burden has become so great that it has caused the hosting site to crash. This without generating any traffic ON their site. That, of course, interferes with the hosting site’s ability to operate profitably, or at least without losing money. So it is at least in part a matter of being a good neighbor, web-wise.
Maybe someone could look into the solution used for the Ten Cats comic. It now has its own Facebook page where users can post images (mostly funny cat pictures). One user at least also still posts links in the comments to the photos on Facebook in a format that works for non-Facebook users as well (albeit apparently with an annoying popup).
The problem is that everyone who looks at a comic strip automatically downloads the images that have been put in the comments, whether they intend to look at them or not, so the hosting site ends up having to send the image out much more often than it otherwise would expect to. Images can take quite a lot of memory (far more than text), so this requires a lot of bandwidth from the host. Downloading a lot of images (especially GIFs) can also impact the individual viewing the comic (though not to quite the same extent). Data downloads are not as cheap in some countries as in others.
oldpine52 about 8 years ago
Everyone else thinks she has fits.
Dillithamir about 8 years ago
They don’t seem to hurt….
DennisinSeattle about 8 years ago
I am sure they are brilliant, Marcia. Just go to bed and take a second look in the morning.
SusanSunshine Premium Member about 8 years ago
Who know…. maybe Marcia is the next Einstein…
Except, of course, their last name is Babcock….
And…. as far as I know, Albert Einstein didn’t come up with theories about fitted sheets…
or ideas for new twists on broccoli casserole.
But still… brilliance is brilliance…
no need to hide it under a bushel basket, as her Aunt Babs is wont to say.
Mac looks a bit unconvinced.
But he keeps his peace….now that they’ve finally come to an understanding….
and agreed that her brilliance will not shine on him… or his beer, or his bowling night.
And also, that if she gets a brilliant idea about dinner,
he’s free to go to the Tiki for a Yak ’n Dak platter,
should he be so moved.
SusanSunshine Premium Member about 8 years ago
Thank you to everybody looking for me last night…..
I just had a tired night.
(blush)
True, as JP Steve said (and thanks, Steve!)
Bev and Six have left…. but I’m still around.
Others have left too….. and I’m hoping they’ll all be back.
And another thing I’m hoping, which I’ve said before…. sorry…
is that those who miss the pictures, the links….and especially the people who have left because of the new rules…..
will write to GoComics and let them know.
customerservice@gocomics.com
or
use the “Contact Us” form near the bottom of every page.
We’ve already gotten longer comments allowed…
maybe if we convince them the vocal complainers were actually the minority,
we might get at least some privileges back.
Coyoty Premium Member about 8 years ago
She does appear stricken.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member about 8 years ago
Someone posted, on a couple of other strips, a link to a blog post by the GC manager who made the decision to change the posting rules that explained his rationale. This was roughly a week ago, give or take a few days. One of the strips on which the link was posted was Calvin & Hobbes. The gentleman also explained that the reason there was no advance notice given is that the site, as currently constructed, does not allow them to post such warnings.
From my perspective, the most compelling reason he gave was that the image links place an undue burden on the servers of the websites that host the image. He says that, on occasion, that burden has become so great that it has caused the hosting site to crash. This without generating any traffic ON their site. That, of course, interferes with the hosting site’s ability to operate profitably, or at least without losing money. So it is at least in part a matter of being a good neighbor, web-wise.
Pithy (yeah, right) about 8 years ago
Maybe someone could look into the solution used for the Ten Cats comic. It now has its own Facebook page where users can post images (mostly funny cat pictures). One user at least also still posts links in the comments to the photos on Facebook in a format that works for non-Facebook users as well (albeit apparently with an annoying popup).
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member about 8 years ago
Back in the day we called them Cosmic Revelations and were a result of ingesting copious amounts of pot.
DennisinSeattle about 8 years ago
To get to that blog post, just hit the blog button at the top of the page, and scroll down to it, it is currently the 4th or 5th post from the top.
Pithy (yeah, right) about 8 years ago
The problem is that everyone who looks at a comic strip automatically downloads the images that have been put in the comments, whether they intend to look at them or not, so the hosting site ends up having to send the image out much more often than it otherwise would expect to. Images can take quite a lot of memory (far more than text), so this requires a lot of bandwidth from the host. Downloading a lot of images (especially GIFs) can also impact the individual viewing the comic (though not to quite the same extent). Data downloads are not as cheap in some countries as in others.