Bridge Camera Users Group
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Notices For Guests
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| Welcome Guest. We are just about the friendliest photography forum there is. We operate as a community and are free to all. We invite you to Register. |
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BCUG welcomes both the self-confessed newcomer to photography and the member who feels he/ she has progressed some, down the road of picking up experience and knowledge, and developing both camera craft and the darker arts, too, of post processing work.
Getting Started... posting images, your profile, your avatar
If you use Flickr or Photobucket and want to display images from those sites, then here is a Flickr Tutorial and here is Photobucket Tutorial.
Tweaking Your Profile
Let's have a look at how I have tweaked my profile.
The title you have been assigned may be "newbie" and that can be customised and I have chosen to give myself a rating of my Photography Experience, as a custom title. The cameras that you use was something that you had to complete at registration. The Photography Experience box and self-rating is optional.
The title you have been assigned may be "newbie" and that can be customised and I have chosen to give myself a rating of my Photography Experience, as a custom title. The cameras that you use was something that you had to complete at registration. The Photography Experience box and self-rating is optional.
The Photography Experience part of your Profile
Try to describe what you can and can't do, within your interpretation of what you want to do. So, for instance if you are not impressed by post processing methods then you could not mention the subject much or say that you do not want to know about post processing.
If you want to rate yourself and you are not taking into account post processing skills, then you could say something like Photography Experience -- see my profile.
There is no one correct way of rating yourself, but if you do your score should be out of ten.
This is not a compulsory thing that you have to do. But there may be some advantages in how you inform others and help them to help you.
If you want to rate yourself and you are not taking into account post processing skills, then you could say something like Photography Experience -- see my profile.
There is no one correct way of rating yourself, but if you do your score should be out of ten.
This is not a compulsory thing that you have to do. But there may be some advantages in how you inform others and help them to help you.
Choosing and Installing an Avatar
Clicking on this link will take you to the page where changes can be made.
There are galleries built into the forum that let you choose animal and other pictures, some of them with animations.
You can also google around, and searches for stuff like "tough guy avatar" can you lead you to collections of images, one of which may catch your eye as being the near quintessential "you". The trick here is to craft your search term for something that might take you where "your soul" is!! OK, you may not be a tough guy, but you see what I mean.
If you hit lucky, then you download that image to your computer. And then back on the page for changing your avatar, you upload that image from your computer... it will be resized automatically for you.
And you are ready to roll!
BTW. We have a particualrly nice display of members' avatars on the index page; and sometimes it can be a pity if your presence is announced by the default avatar.
There are galleries built into the forum that let you choose animal and other pictures, some of them with animations.
You can also google around, and searches for stuff like "tough guy avatar" can you lead you to collections of images, one of which may catch your eye as being the near quintessential "you". The trick here is to craft your search term for something that might take you where "your soul" is!! OK, you may not be a tough guy, but you see what I mean.
If you hit lucky, then you download that image to your computer. And then back on the page for changing your avatar, you upload that image from your computer... it will be resized automatically for you.
And you are ready to roll!
BTW. We have a particualrly nice display of members' avatars on the index page; and sometimes it can be a pity if your presence is announced by the default avatar.
Welcoming New Members
When a new member registers, they are on line, straight away, albeit with limited permissions. The server is set up also to send them a welcome aboard message.
Anyone on line, at the time, will tend to notice this automated welcoming message. The new member is also highly likely to notice it.
If you are on line at the time and nobody has yet looked up the new member's profile (obtainable for the newest member section, at the bottom of the page), then we ask that you look up that camera detail and try to mention it in your response.
Another useful thing to do is to mildly encourage the new member to post up photos. This code, [flickr], produces this paragraph:
If you use Flickr or Photobucket and want to display images from those sites, then here is a Flickr Tutorial and here is Photobucket Tutorial.
So I have just about automated that bit!
New members, of course, are more likely settle down on a forum if they receive lots of appropriate welcome aboard messages.
New Members will also hopefully examine the site's Information Page. Certainly, they are invited to look there in their first message.
Anyone on line, at the time, will tend to notice this automated welcoming message. The new member is also highly likely to notice it.
If you are on line at the time and nobody has yet looked up the new member's profile (obtainable for the newest member section, at the bottom of the page), then we ask that you look up that camera detail and try to mention it in your response.
Another useful thing to do is to mildly encourage the new member to post up photos. This code, [flickr], produces this paragraph:
If you use Flickr or Photobucket and want to display images from those sites, then here is a Flickr Tutorial and here is Photobucket Tutorial.
So I have just about automated that bit!
New members, of course, are more likely settle down on a forum if they receive lots of appropriate welcome aboard messages.
New Members will also hopefully examine the site's Information Page. Certainly, they are invited to look there in their first message.
Forum Features and Running Costs
We try to provide easy to use and relatively sophisticated features. To provide these, extra software will occasionally need to be bought. Open source facilities, although good, will not in every instance be sufficient; for example, the forum software we use, MYBB, is an open source platform; but some features we find useful are not. There is also the domain name which needs to be renewed and is needed, so that search engine links get written down and can direct new members toward our site. In past years, the revenue from advertising has been good. But these days, because of the depression, it is quite poor and contributes little toward our actual running costs.
A Subscription Package is one way to support this site. You would be able to create new posts in the subscription members area and thus have a greater input on the future direction of the site. Although everyone can post responses in that area you could network in extra ways on how you are progressing with your projects.
These are not so much "must have" additional features; but are mostly intended to help foster loyalty for the site. And that extra loyalty is bound also, over time, to get reflected in the quality of the whole site.
Additionally, advertisements that appear between posts are removed, as part of this package.
A Subscription Package is one way to support this site. You would be able to create new posts in the subscription members area and thus have a greater input on the future direction of the site. Although everyone can post responses in that area you could network in extra ways on how you are progressing with your projects.
These are not so much "must have" additional features; but are mostly intended to help foster loyalty for the site. And that extra loyalty is bound also, over time, to get reflected in the quality of the whole site.
Additionally, advertisements that appear between posts are removed, as part of this package.
Our Code of Behaviour
Our CODE is built up from the following parts:
Aims and Purpose
BCUG welcomes both the self-confessed newcomer to photography and the member who feels he/ she has progressed some, down the road of picking up experience and knowledge, and developing both camera craft and the darker arts, too, of post processing work.
Being such a broad church means that we have members on board who can assist those who might feel that they are close to panicking a bit with their newly acquired piece of technical-looking kit. At the same time, we do ask our less experienced members to tolerate the enthusiasm that our more experienced members can sometimes show for tweaking results to perfection.
The way we see our photography can perhaps lie somewhere between these two different sample viewpoints:
-- Either, just a way of getting improved results by way of supposedly mastering a new camera.
-- Or a search for the meaning of the known universe by way of creating images.
Many of us do argue that you don't achieve the first narrow goal unless you consider the wider ramifications, too; also newcomers can overtime loosen up on their objectives. There is going to be a dynamic tension, we feel, in a site such as this, between those having narrow targets and those having wider ranging personal targets. Moreover research work on other photography sites tends to show us that, if you do not enshrine the principle of reaching for the sky, then a forum dies through a lack of posts being made; and it is obvious, we think, that if you have subjects like upgrading to a dslr or post processing become taboo subjects, then members will just advance to a certain point and then leave!
So, yes, we all want to curtail our photgraphy within some limits and most probably we will all have financial limits; but those limits will vary from person to person; and some of us will be more naturally adventurous than others.
So providing for the differences in personal needs and wishes is both the strength and weakness of this site. We can arrange forum titles and positions (in the forum hierarchy) to try to help contain our balanced senses of direction. We can also try to promote a depth of understanding about what photography means to different members. There is a lot of detail, in fact, which can be put into managing the forum; and when the full continuum of membership needs that we cater for is considered, it will perhaps be understood that we are not just another forum full of shutter nuts. We do not run in any sort of pack of elite members... courtesy toward those starting out figures most strongly!
So we ask for contributions on what might help... always it seems modern software allows for little tweaks of various sorts! Suggestions made for improved forum management do not necessarily get immediately implemented, but they can be weighed up and sometimes we will find ways of making adjustments. Don't forget either that Bridge Cameras, DSLR's and and other sorts of camera with a digital sensor have a lot in common. You may feel that if you own a bridge camera that you are shunned on some other forums. But, of course, that is not the situation, here. We could, then, be said to be a a quality photgraphy forum that is particualrly freindly and helpful toward those with bridge cameras... that is, after all, how most of us more experienced members started out!
Being such a broad church means that we have members on board who can assist those who might feel that they are close to panicking a bit with their newly acquired piece of technical-looking kit. At the same time, we do ask our less experienced members to tolerate the enthusiasm that our more experienced members can sometimes show for tweaking results to perfection.
The way we see our photography can perhaps lie somewhere between these two different sample viewpoints:
-- Either, just a way of getting improved results by way of supposedly mastering a new camera.
-- Or a search for the meaning of the known universe by way of creating images.
Many of us do argue that you don't achieve the first narrow goal unless you consider the wider ramifications, too; also newcomers can overtime loosen up on their objectives. There is going to be a dynamic tension, we feel, in a site such as this, between those having narrow targets and those having wider ranging personal targets. Moreover research work on other photography sites tends to show us that, if you do not enshrine the principle of reaching for the sky, then a forum dies through a lack of posts being made; and it is obvious, we think, that if you have subjects like upgrading to a dslr or post processing become taboo subjects, then members will just advance to a certain point and then leave!
So, yes, we all want to curtail our photgraphy within some limits and most probably we will all have financial limits; but those limits will vary from person to person; and some of us will be more naturally adventurous than others.
So providing for the differences in personal needs and wishes is both the strength and weakness of this site. We can arrange forum titles and positions (in the forum hierarchy) to try to help contain our balanced senses of direction. We can also try to promote a depth of understanding about what photography means to different members. There is a lot of detail, in fact, which can be put into managing the forum; and when the full continuum of membership needs that we cater for is considered, it will perhaps be understood that we are not just another forum full of shutter nuts. We do not run in any sort of pack of elite members... courtesy toward those starting out figures most strongly!
So we ask for contributions on what might help... always it seems modern software allows for little tweaks of various sorts! Suggestions made for improved forum management do not necessarily get immediately implemented, but they can be weighed up and sometimes we will find ways of making adjustments. Don't forget either that Bridge Cameras, DSLR's and and other sorts of camera with a digital sensor have a lot in common. You may feel that if you own a bridge camera that you are shunned on some other forums. But, of course, that is not the situation, here. We could, then, be said to be a a quality photgraphy forum that is particualrly freindly and helpful toward those with bridge cameras... that is, after all, how most of us more experienced members started out!
Registration Conditions
Whilst we attempt to edit or remove any messages containing inappropriate, sexually orientated, abusive, hateful, slanderous, or threatening material that could be considered invasive of a persons privacy, or which otherwise violate any kind of law, it is impossible for us to review every message posted on this discussion system. For this reason you acknowledge that all messages posted on this discussion system express the views and opinions of the original message author and not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Therefore we take no responsibility and cannot be held liable for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy and completeness of every message.
By registering on this discussion system you agree that you will not post any material which is knowingly false, inaccurate, abusive, hateful, harassing, sexually orientated, threatening or invasive of a person's privacy, or any other material which may violate any applicable laws.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the termination of your account, account suspension, or permanent ban of access to these forums. Your IP Address is recorded with each post you make on this discussion system and is retrievable by the forum staff if need-be. You agree that we have the ability and right to remove, edit, or lock any account or message at any time should it be seen fit. You also agree that any information you enter on this discussion system is stored in a database, and that "cookies" are stored on your computer to save your login information.
Any information you provide on these forums will not be disclosed to any third party without your complete consent, although the staff cannot be held liable for any hacking attempt in which your data is compromised.
Provisions Regarding Trolls. We like to see photography related posts being made. If you join up principally or primarily for the purpose of criticising the messaging board and how it works or is managed, then your membership will be deemed to be invalid; and your true identity will be recorded as best as is possible and you will be liable to being banned permanently. You therefore agree that your membership will not be oriented for any of these blatantly non-photography purposes and that any non-photography and management related comments which you may have will (unless on-forum comments are invited by the site management) be presented off-forum to members of the Forum Council, for discussion by them.
Disputes Between Members. Please try to use the REPORT button and not get personally drawn into angry exchanges. Our staff can often help in the brokering of better understandings.
Ownership of Images and Posts made. Your images belong to you and the ultimate way you have of withdrawing them is by breaking the links from the Flickr, Photobucket or other service provider that you use. Whilst we will try to cooperate, when polite requests are presented, we are not duty bound to do tidying up work on behalf of either current members or former members. In particular removing all your threads will take down posts made by other members, thus infringing their rights; removing your posts will break the continuity of threads. Thus you agree to allow the administrator to make his/ her best decisions without let or hindrance. Equally, if you wish to leave the forum, it may not be in the general interest that you start a discussion thread on the effectiveness or other qualities of the forum. And you agree that the forum management may use its discretion to vet posts and, when necessary, change or vary member's individual permissions.
By continuing with the sign up process you agree to the above rules and any others that the Administrator specifies.
By registering on this discussion system you agree that you will not post any material which is knowingly false, inaccurate, abusive, hateful, harassing, sexually orientated, threatening or invasive of a person's privacy, or any other material which may violate any applicable laws.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the termination of your account, account suspension, or permanent ban of access to these forums. Your IP Address is recorded with each post you make on this discussion system and is retrievable by the forum staff if need-be. You agree that we have the ability and right to remove, edit, or lock any account or message at any time should it be seen fit. You also agree that any information you enter on this discussion system is stored in a database, and that "cookies" are stored on your computer to save your login information.
Any information you provide on these forums will not be disclosed to any third party without your complete consent, although the staff cannot be held liable for any hacking attempt in which your data is compromised.
Provisions Regarding Trolls. We like to see photography related posts being made. If you join up principally or primarily for the purpose of criticising the messaging board and how it works or is managed, then your membership will be deemed to be invalid; and your true identity will be recorded as best as is possible and you will be liable to being banned permanently. You therefore agree that your membership will not be oriented for any of these blatantly non-photography purposes and that any non-photography and management related comments which you may have will (unless on-forum comments are invited by the site management) be presented off-forum to members of the Forum Council, for discussion by them.
Disputes Between Members. Please try to use the REPORT button and not get personally drawn into angry exchanges. Our staff can often help in the brokering of better understandings.
Ownership of Images and Posts made. Your images belong to you and the ultimate way you have of withdrawing them is by breaking the links from the Flickr, Photobucket or other service provider that you use. Whilst we will try to cooperate, when polite requests are presented, we are not duty bound to do tidying up work on behalf of either current members or former members. In particular removing all your threads will take down posts made by other members, thus infringing their rights; removing your posts will break the continuity of threads. Thus you agree to allow the administrator to make his/ her best decisions without let or hindrance. Equally, if you wish to leave the forum, it may not be in the general interest that you start a discussion thread on the effectiveness or other qualities of the forum. And you agree that the forum management may use its discretion to vet posts and, when necessary, change or vary member's individual permissions.
By continuing with the sign up process you agree to the above rules and any others that the Administrator specifies.
Further Rules and Interpretations
As will be seen on the Aims and Purpose section, we attach particular importance to courtesy shown toward all members, whether they are beginners, advanced users or in an administrative or moderator role. Paragraphs two and three of the Registration Conditions are a very conventional foundation for how we go on to interpret our standards of "forum etiquette", in the light of our operating conditions. Some folk will try to assert that a forum is place for unfettered discussion, but even so the bounds of our standards of forum etiquette must neither be exceeded or become in danger of being exceeded... this forum is a broad church of different sorts of members and needs to be managed so that rather different sets of personal photography objectives can be held together on the one forum.
We feel that it is to an extent inevitable that different members will feel unhappy about how good a fit for them this forum is. We do encourage a balanced discussion of the set of factors that are taken into consideration by management. The management however must play a key role in ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly protected within the remit of the statement of Aims and Purpose of this forum.
Messaging boards can also be bedevilled by the lack of direct personal interaction, and even the anonymity of participants. So some formally set out rules and guidelines are extremely important. Misunderstandings can get out of control very quickly. And certainly we believe a lot hangs on ensuring that we have and maintain a good understanding of how we operate. Trolls have proven to be a particular hazard to this forum; and this is another reason why we define forum etiquette particualrly carefully.
(i) If you wish to advertise goods, products or services, you need to ask permission first. If you do not do this, you may be considered as "spamming". You agree to cooperate fully in this regard.
(ii) If you wish for some reason to leave the forum, you agree to do this in cooperative and non-aggressive ways.
(iii) Please do not install aggressively flashing avatars that may present an undue distraction. Please also do not install signature images, because -- as a photography forum -- we need optimal display timings for the many images that get posted.
(iv) You agree that the management may draw upon extremely advanced software facilities to manage conflict on the forum, whenever it or threat of it might arise.
We feel that it is to an extent inevitable that different members will feel unhappy about how good a fit for them this forum is. We do encourage a balanced discussion of the set of factors that are taken into consideration by management. The management however must play a key role in ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly protected within the remit of the statement of Aims and Purpose of this forum.
Messaging boards can also be bedevilled by the lack of direct personal interaction, and even the anonymity of participants. So some formally set out rules and guidelines are extremely important. Misunderstandings can get out of control very quickly. And certainly we believe a lot hangs on ensuring that we have and maintain a good understanding of how we operate. Trolls have proven to be a particular hazard to this forum; and this is another reason why we define forum etiquette particualrly carefully.
(i) If you wish to advertise goods, products or services, you need to ask permission first. If you do not do this, you may be considered as "spamming". You agree to cooperate fully in this regard.
(ii) If you wish for some reason to leave the forum, you agree to do this in cooperative and non-aggressive ways.
(iii) Please do not install aggressively flashing avatars that may present an undue distraction. Please also do not install signature images, because -- as a photography forum -- we need optimal display timings for the many images that get posted.
(iv) You agree that the management may draw upon extremely advanced software facilities to manage conflict on the forum, whenever it or threat of it might arise.