LegendBegins

Mahz's Dev Journal

You're right, I could simply scale it in the web browser: <img src="{{ user.avatar_url }}" style="max-width: 150px; max-height: 150px"> But the reason I don't is to kinda shame people that break the rule. When I see people with red "avatar too big" text, I sometimes fix their image or remove it entirely.

@Mahz

And I agree that people who break the rules should have some sort of reprimand, but I'm not sure if I'd say it's best to sacrifice convenience for a "test rule" of sorts.

Mahz's Dev Journal

@Mahz By "resolution," I'm referring to the quality of images. Images can be a small size, but high quality, and the addition that I'm considering is code that will only scale down the display size of the linked image, without sacrificing the number of pixels in the original image, which can be done. That way, an upload system isn't required, as it still links to the original image, but displays the output in a different size. If I recall, pre-GuildFall Guild had the feature to link an image and display it as a profile picture, but it's entirely possible that it just uploaded the image in the URL to the site.

Mahz's Dev Journal

I'm 99% sure that PHP isn't used at all on the guild, so you'll probably have to find a purely node.js way to do it.

@TheMaster99

Just because it isn't used doesn't mean it can't be installed on the server. There is no pure node.js way to do it, it would have to be done by a server-side programming language, not a scripting language like JS. At least if you wanted true rescaling (so it creates and stores an image of the correct size on the server) and not just resizing a larger image.

Are you sure you're copying the link from the link icon (it's to the right of Raw at the upper-right corner of every post) and not the topic link? Post links look like this: http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/2404697 Topic links look like this: http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/75056-Something-Something-Title-Side Notice the word post or topic before the numbers.

@Captain Jordan

This is how our catalog URLs are coming out in the URL box. http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/19063-precipice-of-war-there-be-spaniards-in-my-coffee/ic#post-1272608 Yet, this one works. http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/19063-precipice-of-war-there-be-spaniards-in-my-coffee/ic#post-508933

@Dinh AaronMk

If you simply right-click on the link icon, and click on Copy Link Address/Location in the menu. (If you're on Internet Explorer, the menu item is Copy Shortcut.) The link you get that way will always redirect to the proper page, even if the pages or titles change.

@Captain Jordan

Though, I would personally be careful when saying that something "cannot be done" in a language. I've learned throughout the years of programming that there is often, if not always, a workaround to any problem.

Mahz's Dev Journal

The Guild already supports high res image embedding. What prevents using the same concept for profile pictures, and then have the server scale it down, and perform all the necessary alternations (such as the displayed resolution, as you mentioned)? For instance, is there anything that would make it impossible for the server to take these image URls, make the alterations server-wise, as if it were a local file, and display the altered output?

@LegendBegins

I'm fairly sure the guild doesn't actually store any images, it just points to where an image file is stored (I believe this is how websites work – I don't work on web much (read: the guild is the first real web coding I've done), so I'm not certain on that.) so it can't do anything to the image.

@TheMaster99

I'm aware that it doesn't store them, but it is completely possible to edit them. You just run the image through a "filter" of sorts before output, and it displays it according to the commands. For example, Mahz has a hack that alters profile pics images larger than 150 X 150 to attempt to display them correctly. You're correct that it doesn't do anything to the image itself, but it can change the display.

@LegendBegins

PHP has a couple modules for this, GraphicsMagick and ImageMagick. I think Node.js has a library that will interface with the PHP modules to do this. So long as the two (PHP and Node.js modules) are installed, then it's probably just a matter of taking the time, reading the documentation, and doing it. Someone with the javascript skills and wherewithal could probably write a patch and submit a pull request if they really wanted it done quickly.

@Captain Jordan

Once I've finished my computer repairs, I may go ahead and have a crack at it myself.

Mahz's Dev Journal

The Guild already supports high res image embedding. What prevents using the same concept for profile pictures, and then have the server scale it down, and perform all the necessary alternations (such as the displayed resolution, as you mentioned)? For instance, is there anything that would make it impossible for the server to take these image URls, make the alterations server-wise, as if it were a local file, and display the altered output?

@LegendBegins

I'm fairly sure the guild doesn't actually store any images, it just points to where an image file is stored (I believe this is how websites work – I don't work on web much (read: the guild is the first real web coding I've done), so I'm not certain on that.) so it can't do anything to the image.

@TheMaster99

I'm aware that it doesn't store them, but it is completely possible to edit them. You just run the image through a "filter" of sorts before output, and it displays it according to the commands. For example, Mahz has a hack that alters profile pics images larger than 150 X 150 to attempt to display them correctly. You're correct that it doesn't do anything to the image itself, but it can change the display.

Mahz's Dev Journal

I could only do something like that when I implement image uploads instead of the current hack. That way I could do server-side processing and, for example, output two different resolutions which will display depending on your device rez.

@Mahz

The Guild already supports high res image embedding. What prevents using the same concept for profile pictures, and then have the server scale it down, and perform all the necessary alternations (such as the displayed resolution, as you mentioned)? For instance, is there anything that would make it impossible for the server to take these image URls, make the alterations server-wise, as if it were a local file, and display the altered output?

Mahz's Dev Journal

I personally would like to see dice, it may convince me to head down to see the nerds at Tabletop

@Vortex

But what will convince you to use a 150x150-sized avatar, tough guy?

@Mahz

That does bring up a good point, though. Will the Guild support higher native resolutions of profile pictures in the future?

Mahz's Dev Journal

Yeah, what @Captain Jordan said. But just to make sure @LegendBegins, you have everything working now? If so I might just add my instructions to the repo myself. Also, my last comment was basically "here, I gave step by step instructions on exactly what to do. If you are lost or can't figure out any problems you are having on your own, then I don't think you are up for working on the guild." And although I wrote the instructions specifically for you, I suppose it applies to anyone who uses it.

@TheMaster99

Eh, I doubt it will give me much trouble. Regardless, I am currently in the process of repairing my main device, and I haven't had the opportunity to test it on my backup machine. I'll see if I can make time to get my older computer running today, and install it.

Mahz's Dev Journal

<snip>

@Mahz

I downloaded the Node, and once installation was complete, it resulted in a folder, among other files. The Node.exe (or something to that extent) opened up a window similar to command prompt, and that looked similar to the screenshot. Though, I believe the usage will be radically different for our Operating Systems.

@LegendBegins

NOTE: The Windows version of PostgreSQL does not include an extension that the guild requires. I don't remember if this only limits functionality, or makes the site unusable. If you are not comfortable with compiling a .dll file from source code, then keep in mind you may not be able to connect to your local build even after following these steps. You have been warned.

Instructions

I recommend that you set up your cmd.exe to be able to use node commands – if you choose not to, I believe that is fine. First, you might as well try node --version in command prompt, to see if it is already set up or not. If so, skip this part. If not, continue. To do it, you'll want to go to My Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings. From there, go to Environment Variables as shown below. Select 'PATH' and hit Edit.

Screenshot

'PATH' might not be there, I don't remember from when I tried to set up my dev environment on windows (I decided to install Ubuntu in dual boot and set up there instead; you will see why later). If not, then create it. Find where node.js is installed - probably one directory in Program Files, and another in %appdata%. Set 'PATH' to point to them; it should look similar to this:

C:\Program Files\nodejs;C:\Users\Jeanyves\AppData\Roaming\npm

Now, open command prompt and type node --version to make sure that node is working correctly. It should tell you what version of node you are running. If instead it says "'node' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file." then something went wrong while setting up the PATH. Okay, so that is done (or you skipped it, alternatively). Now, you will need to set up the database. If you haven't already, install PostgreSQL. Once installed, launch PGAdmin III. Right click on 'Login Roles' and create a new role. Username and password (set password in 'Definitions' tab) don't matter, just remember what they are. After the role has been made, right click on 'Databases' and create a new database called 'guild'. Make sure the owner is the user you just made. Now comes the fun part. The guild uses the 'plv8' extension for PostgreSQL. For reasons unknown to us, this isn't included in the Windows version of PostgreSQL. I don't remember to what degree the site runs without it - I'd like to say that latest post, topic count, etc don't work, but the site itself does, but don't quote me on that - but if you are comfortable doing so, it is strongly recommended that you download the source code for the version of plv8 corresponding to your version of postgres, and compile the .dll from it. If you are not comfortable/aware/willing to do this, then skip this part, but be warned: we cannot guarentee how well the site will function, if at all. If you are continuing, then find the source code on google, it isn't hard to find. Next, compile the .dll - I will not be telling you how to do this; if you don't know how yet for some reason are trying anyway, then look it up. Put the .dll in PostgreSQL Install Location\version.number\bin and if all went well, you are good to go. Continue to the next step. At this point, it is assumed that you have already forked and cloned a copy of the guild's github repository onto your computer. Again, I will not tell you how to do this; if you don't know, google it. Go to where you downloaded the repository to, and navigate to the server folder, and open config.js. If for some reason you do not have an editor capable of opening .js files, then install one (for Windows, I recommend Notepad++ or Sublime Text). This is where you need your Postgres login credentials: find 'postgres://localhost:5432/guild', and add your credentials, as shown; afterwards, save the file:

postgres://{USERNAME}:{PASSWORD}@localhost:5432/guild

Now, go back to command prompt and change the directory to the repository. Enter: npm install then npm run-script reset-db and lastly, npm start (or alternatively, npm run-script start-dev for slightly better stack traces) and wait for it to say 'listening on 3000'. If it doesn't say this (or an error occurs afterwards) then something has gone wrong. If it does, then congratulations, you are almost there! Open your browser and go to http://localhost:3000/. If the site loads, then success; you are done! If not, something has gone wrong (obviously), which you can probably figure out to some extent by reading the error that almost definitely appeared in the command prompt. If, after all this, you still do not have the site working, and have no idea what to do, then the following is all I have to say: No offense, but you probably just aren't cut out for this. Development of any sort requires the ability to problem solve, and if you are completely lost then I don't know what else to say. Don't feel bad; Mahz didn't expect anyone to be able to help with the site, so anyone who can is a bonus. Sorry!

@TheMaster99

Thank you; I appreciate that. While I assume the last message was geared toward anyone who might be reading this, for all intents and purposes, the previous steps on GitHub were rather cryptic. I appreciate you taking the time to write this, and I look forward to assisting the progress of the Guild.

Mahz's Dev Journal

@Mahz, is the black border around the hiders normal when they're closed? Because when you click on them it goes away.

@Celaira

Nice catch! #willfix

@Mahz Could you perhaps clarify the download and install instructions on github? https://github.com/danneu/guild

@LegendBegins

Yeah, I could clarify them. Unfortunately I have no experience with webdev on Windows. You may have to google for resources on getting Node.js (v0.12) and Postgres (v9.4) set up on your machine. Setting up those dependencies is out of the scope of the guild's setup instructions. Can you get this far:

> node --version
v0.12.0

> psql -v
psql (PostgreSQL) 9.4.0

it seems long copy/paste Url's don't wrap around to fit the text box.

@AliceInRedHeels

Nice one. #willfix I work during the week so during the week I'll accumulate a checklist of fixes and then burn through them on the weekend when I work on the guild.

@Mahz

I downloaded the Node, and once installation was complete, it resulted in a folder, among other files. The Node.exe (or something to that extent) opened up a window similar to command prompt, and that looked similar to the screenshot. Though, I believe the usage will be radically different for our Operating Systems.