Re: PHP/MySQL tasks on the art.ubuntu.com website

[Ali Davoodifar <davoodifar gmail com>]

On 9/7/05, Morgan Tocker <tocker gmail com> wrote:
> > - It puts unnecessary load on the server for little gain while for an
> > artist who has made the original artwork it's a trivial task to make
> > the thumbnail as well.
> 
> This is true, but it could be managed if it became a problem (cronjob etc).
> 
> > - It takes the control away from the artist in creating the thumbnail
> > as he sees fit. This is a very important point, as I'm of the opinion
> > that a well designed and functioning thumbnail is one that is not made
> > out of only "resizing" the original but also "cropping". A cropped up
> > thumbnail usually has much more visual interest and is much more clear
> > and inviting. IMO, resizing alone is a very poor way to make a
> > thumbnail.
> 
> Interesting perspective.  Not being much of an artist these days, it
> didn't cross my mind :-)
> On the other hand --  If the thumbnails are auto generated then they
> are at least always accurate (I'm a database guy -- redundant data can
> mean inaccurate/poorly maintained data).
> 
> Is it possibly for the default behaviour to be that the thumbnails are
> auto generated, and the artist can upload a custom thumbnail if he/she
> chooses?

You should still be able to implement a way that the users upload
their own thumbnails AND adhere to a certain standard (i.e standard
size etc...)

As for having it both ways I would still say no. And my reasoning
would be a simple adherence to the KISS principle. If it's not
"absolutely" necessary it shouldn't be there. It works for application
design just as much as graphic design or any other design discipline
for that matter.

-Ali Davoodifar