New Mars Forums

Procedure to Link Images for Display on NewMars.com

There are several web sites that offer free hosting for images.

One of these is imgur.com. Another is: https://postimages.org/

The instructions in this document are for those who might prefer to use the phpBB3 site which was set up for testing during the FluxBB software upgrade, and remains available.

1) Request an account on the phpBB3 server.

You will use the same ID and password as the NewMars site.

2) Login and open a post for your new image

A topic is available: Images for FluxBB and use Post Reply

Note: You can add as many images to a post as you like

3) Select the Attachment tab

4) Drag and Drop a file or use the Add Files button

Either way, select [Place inline] to add the file to the post.

5) Submit the post

6) Right click on the image and select Copy Image Address

7) Paste that link into a post on NewMars.com/forums

Hmmm.... we appear to have a bit of a challenge from phpBB3.... I performed a right click on an image and got this: h t t p: / / 40.75.112.55/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=1

That is the same as the link that works in link mode.

You've correctly identified the problem. phpBB3's download/file.php script is designed to prevent hotlinking, which is when another website directly embeds your images. It checks the "referrer" (the website the request is coming from). If the request doesn't originate from your own phpBB3 site, the script won't serve the image directly, resulting in the blank line you're seeing on your FluxBB forum.

While some phpBB3 configurations will append a &mode=view parameter to the URL to bypass this, it's not a universal solution because the underlying download/file.php script still has to allow it. Your observation that the link is identical regardless of the display mode confirms that your specific setup is not configured to provide a separate, hotlink-friendly URL.

Since modifying the core phpBB3 files or server-side configurations is complex and risky, the easiest solution is to use a simple online service that converts the phpBB3 URL into a direct image link. This service will act as an intermediary, fetching the image from your phpBB3 site and then providing a static URL that your FluxBB forum can display.

The Best Way Forward

    Use a Hotlink Proxy Service: Search online for "image proxy," "hotlink proxy," or "image URL converter" services. These are free, temporary tools.

    Paste the URL: Take the URL you have from your phpBB3 image (h t t p : / / 40.75.112.55/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=1) a  n d paste it into the proxy service's input field.

    Get a New URL: The service will provide you with a new, static URL that ends in an image extension (.jpg, .png, etc.). This URL is what you'll use in your FluxBB posts.

Example of what the new URL might look like: h t t p s : / / example.com/images/some-long-string-of-numbers-and-letters.jpg

This method sidesteps the hotlinking protection on your phpBB3 site and provides a reliable way to get the images to display on your FluxBB forum without any server-side modifications.

OK! Thanks for the hint that there may be a work around ... I "own" this Azure site, so we have some leeway in how we do things. I should be able to create a link from the FluxBB site to the file stored on the phpBB3 site. I wonder if we can ask phpBB3 to show us the actual path to the file it saved? Here (again) is the u r l for the successful link mode:

h t t p : / / 40.75.112.55/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=1

You've correctly pinpointed the core of the problem: phpBB3's file serving script is designed to prevent hotlinking. This means it checks where the request for the image is coming from (the "referrer"). If the request isn't from the same phpBB3 site, it blocks the image from being displayed directly, which is why your FluxBB [ i m g] tag results in a blank space.

Why You Can't Get a Direct Path

You're wondering if you can get the direct file path, but phpBB3 is designed to prevent this for security and functionality. The system doesn't store files with their original names or in a publicly accessible directory with an obvious path. Instead, it uses a hashed filename and stores the files in a dedicated directory, typically /files, which is often protected from direct web access by server-level rules.

The URL h t t p : / / 40.75.112.55/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=1 is a dynamic link. It tells the server to run a script (file.php) that then retrieves the file from its hidden location based on the ID. This process is what allows phpBB3 to track downloads, manage permissions, and, most importantly, prevent unauthorized hotlinking.

The Most Reliable Solution

Since you have administrative control over the Azure site, the most robust and secure solution is to configure the web server itself to allow your FluxBB site as an "allowed referrer." This is a server-level change that will permit your FluxBB domain to directly request images from your phpBB3 site's download/file.php script without being blocked.

Here's how to do it:

    Locate the .htaccess file on your Azure site's phpBB3 installation. It's usually in the root directory.

    Edit the file and add a rule to the hotlinking protection section. The code to add will look something like this:
    Apache

    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^$
    RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http(s)?://(www\.)?your-fluxbb-domain\.com [NC]
    RewriteRule \.(jpg|jpeg|png|gif)$ - [F]

    You would need to find the existing hotlinking protection rules and add a line that specifically allows your FluxBB domain.

This is a more technical solution than a simple settings change but it is the proper way to establish communication between the two sites, and it's something you have the authority to do. It also maintains the security of your phpBB3 file directory.

This video, while not about your specific issue, provides an overview of how to upload attachments to a phpBB forum.

How to upload an attachment in PHPBB
How to upload an attachment in PHPBB - YouTube
DigiOz Multimedia · 4.7K views

Thanks for your advice in this situation. I like the idea of being able to restrict access to files to just the authorized web site! Thanks for that coaching. Please note that the video about how to upload a file is redundant, because we are discussing a file that was uploaded with success. We are past the uploading phase, and dealing now with the delivery. I can report that with your assistance, we have achieved a major step forward. Our members who need to show images can now do so via links. That is a ** big ** improvement. I can investigate the htaccess idea you suggested. For now, let's claim victory and call it a day!

That's fantastic news! Congratulations on achieving a major step forward for your community. Getting the link method to work is a significant victory and a completely viable solution for your members to share images.

You've correctly noted the distinction between the uploading phase and the delivery phase, and it's great that we've found a working solution for the latter. The ability to use your own Azure storage is a huge benefit, and the link method provides a reliable way to do that immediately.

If you ever decide to pursue the .htaccess solution to enable direct image embedding, feel free to come back and ask for more detailed guidance. For now, it's great to know that your members have a functional way to share their content.

Enjoy the successful implementation!

phpBB3 Image Storage and Attachments
Conversation with Gemini

phpBB3 image store question - Hi Gemini! Thanks for your help with numerous previous questions. This one will be an exercise for your search skills, and for your ability to interpret documentation. I am hoping that phpBB3 may offer the ability to store images. I am set up as administrator of a test site using phpBB3. The test site is running on Azure, and it seems to be stable. I am also a moderator for a FluxBB site which cannot store images. We've been using outside agencies such as imgur.com, but would like to pull images from our Azure site if that is possible. Do you know if phpBB3 offers an option to store images? I have the site open and can enter commands as might be needed.
***
Yes, phpBB3 has a built-in feature to store images as attachments. This functionality is enabled by default. As the administrator of your test site, you have full control over the settings, allowing you to configure how images are uploaded and displayed.

Key Information & Configuration

1. Attachment Settings: The main control for image storage is in the Administration Control Panel (ACP). You'll find a Posting tab, and within it, an Attachment settings link. This is where you can manage various aspects of attachments, including:

    Display Images Inline: This setting determines whether attached images show up directly within the post or as a text link that users can click to view. You can change this to suit your preference.

    File Size Limits: You can set the maximum file size for a single attachment and a total attachment quota for a post. It's often necessary to increase the default limits to accommodate higher-quality images.

    Allowed File Types: phpBB3 allows you to specify which file extensions are permitted as attachments. By default, common image formats like .jpg, .png, and .gif are already enabled. You can manage these in the Manage extension groups section.

2. Image Storage Location: When a user uploads an image as an attachment, phpBB3 doesn't store the file with its original name. Instead, it places the files in a dedicated /files directory and gives them a hashed filename for security and to prevent naming conflicts.

    You'll need to ensure the /files directory on your Azure server has the correct permissions (often 777 or -rwxrwxrwx) to allow the phpBB script to write to it.

3. User-side Functionality: Once the settings are configured, users can upload images directly from the post editor when they create or reply to a topic. There will be an Add Attachment section where they can browse for files on their computer and add them to their post.

The ability to use the phpBB3 site on your Azure host to store images will allow your users to upload content directly to your server, eliminating the need for external services like Imgur.

How to upload an attachment in PHPBB
This video provides a brief demonstration of how a user uploads an attachment in phpBB, which is the functionality you're asking about.
How to upload an attachment in PHPBB - YouTube Multimedia · 4.7K views
***
Gemini, this is ** awesome ** .... Thanks for your discovery of the feature, and your careful explanation of the procedure! I checked the Attachments setting and note that the default setting is 'off'. The default setting for images is display. I will set Attachments to yes and image display to no. My purpose here is to serve images on the FluxBB site and to save them on the phpBB3 site. My hope is that the links will operate if exercised from the FluxBB site.
***
That's great to hear! It sounds like you have a solid plan.

You are correct that the default attachment setting is "off" in some phpBB3 installations, and you will need to enable it. Setting attachments to "yes" is the first and most critical step.

Your strategy of saving images on the phpBB3 site and linking to them from your FluxBB site is a clever solution. However, there's a crucial detail to be aware of regarding the links.

Understanding the Attachment Link

When a user uploads an image to phpBB3 as an attachment, the link to that image is not a simple, static file path. The links are dynamically generated and include a unique ID for the attachment. The format of a typical phpBB3 attachment link looks something like this:

your-phpbb-site.com/download/file.php?id=123

The link points to a script (download/file.php) which then serves the image file based on the unique ID (id=123). This dynamic link is designed to handle things like user permissions and attachment counters.

Implication for FluxBB:

    You cannot simply find the image file in the /files directory and use its path directly (e.g., your-phpbb-site.com/files/hashed-filename.jpg). Those files have hashed names and are not intended for direct access.

    You will need to get the full dynamic link to the image from the phpBB3 post. Once you have that full link, you can then copy and paste it into an [i m  g] tag or a regular link on your FluxBB site.

For example, on your FluxBB site, a post would look something like this:

<sample removed due to live code>

This should work perfectly, as the link simply needs to be accessible via a standard HTTP request, which the phpBB3 script will handle. This approach allows you to centralize your image storage on the Azure-hosted phpBB3 site while still displaying them for your community on the FluxBB forum.

I sure hope this works! I've run out of free storage at imgur.com, and the Azure site has a generous allocation of storage with the subscription. I'll report this discussion to the forum, and attempt to implement the procedure! Thank you Again!

That's an excellent reason to make the switch—moving to a platform you control with generous storage capacity is a smart move. Centralizing your images on your Azure-hosted phpBB3 site will give you more control and reliability, eliminating the dependency on third-party services that can change their policies or storage limits.

I'm confident that with the steps we've outlined, you'll be able to get this working successfully. The process is straightforward: enable attachments, upload the image to a post on your phpBB3 site, copy the dynamic link provided, and then paste that link into the [i m g] tag on your FluxBB forum.

If you encounter any issues during implementation or have further questions, please don't hesitate to reach back out. I'm here to help!

Conversation with Gemini
Pan-STARRS rogue planet report - Hi Gemini! thanks for your help with many previous requests. In this case, I'm hoping you can find more detail about a report of a possible detection of a rogue planet that might be near enough to actually pass through our Solar system. Previous detections have been of objects light years away.

***

No report from the Pan-STARRS observatory has identified a rogue planet on a trajectory to pass through our Solar System. The Pan-STARRS search for distant planets has primarily focused on finding a hypothetical "Planet Nine" and cataloging objects in the outer Solar System.

Here's more about what Pan-STARRS has discovered and the concept of rogue planets.

What Pan-STARRS Has Found ?
The Pan-STARRS survey (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System) is known for its wide-field astronomical surveys, particularly for discovering Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). While it hasn't found a rogue planet heading our way, it has made a few significant discoveries related to objects passing through our Solar System.

'Oumuamua: In 2017, Pan-STARRS discovered 1I/ʻOumuamua, the first confirmed interstellar object to pass through our Solar System. It was a small, elongated object, not a rogue planet, and its unusual acceleration sparked a lot of scientific debate. It's now speeding away from us and won't return.

PSO J318.5-22: Pan-STARRS also discovered a free-floating, planetary-mass object called PSO J318.5-22 in 2013. This object is considered a rogue planet, but it's located about 80 light-years away and is not on a path to enter our Solar System.

What is a Rogue Planet? ?
A rogue planet (also known as a free-floating planet or interstellar planet) is a planetary-mass object that doesn't orbit a star. These planets wander through interstellar space, untethered by a star's gravitational pull.

Formation: Rogue planets are thought to form in two main ways: they can be ejected from their home star system during the chaotic early stages of planetary formation, or they can form on their own in a similar manner to stars, but without the mass to ignite nuclear fusion.

Prevalence: While they're difficult to detect, astronomers now believe there could be billions or even trillions of rogue planets in the Milky Way, possibly outnumbering stars.

Threat to Earth: The chance of a rogue planet entering our Solar System and causing a major disruption is extremely low. The vast distances between star systems make such an event a statistical long shot. Even if one were to pass close by, its gravitational influence would most likely only slightly alter the orbits of our Solar System's outer bodies.

***

So do you think the article I saw might have been click bait?
***

Yes, it's very likely the article you saw was clickbait. ?️ Pan-STARRS, while a powerful observatory, has not reported the discovery of a rogue planet on a collision course with our Solar System. Such a discovery would be a massive, globally reported event.

Here's a breakdown of why this is a common form of misleading headline:

Rogue Planets and Clickbait ?
Sensationalism: Headlines about "planets threatening Earth" or "cosmic objects on a collision course" are designed to create alarm and attract clicks. The reality is that while rogue planets are believed to be common throughout the galaxy, the vast distances of space make a close flyby or collision with our Solar System a statistically improbable event.

Misinterpretation of Scientific Discoveries: The article likely sensationalized or misunderstood an actual scientific finding. Pan-STARRS has made significant discoveries related to rogue planets and other interstellar objects, but they are not a threat to us.

1I/ʻOumuamua: Pan-STARRS discovered the first confirmed interstellar object to pass through our solar system, but it was a small, elongated object, not a planet, and it's already on its way out.

PSO J318.5-22: Pan-STARRS also discovered a genuine rogue planet, but it's approximately 80 light-years away and not heading toward Earth.

Focus on Near-Earth Objects: The primary mission of the Pan-STARRS telescope is to discover and track Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) like asteroids and comets that could pose a potential impact risk. While these objects can be a threat, they are not rogue planets.

In short, while the scientific community is actively searching for and studying rogue planets to better understand planetary formation, there is no credible report of one on a path to pass through our Solar System. ?

***

Thank you! I will post your assessment as a follow up to the initial report.
***

You're welcome! Posting an assessment like that is a great way to provide a more accurate picture of a scientific report. The distinction between a widely reported, threatening object and an interesting but distant discovery is an important one.

Here is a summary of the facts for your follow-up post.

No Rogue Planet Threat
There has been no report from the Pan-STARRS observatory or any other reputable astronomical source that a rogue planet is on a trajectory to pass through our Solar System. Such a discovery would be a monumental event, confirmed by multiple observatories and announced globally. The articles you saw were almost certainly clickbait, sensationalizing real but much less dramatic discoveries.

What Pan-STARRS Actually Discovered
While Pan-STARRS hasn't found a rogue planet headed our way, it has made groundbreaking discoveries of objects that have journeyed from other star systems.

1I/ʻOumuamua: In 2017, Pan-STARRS discovered the first confirmed interstellar object to pass through our Solar System. However, this was a small, elongated object, not a planet, and it has already left our Solar System.

PSO J318.5-22: In 2013, Pan-STARRS discovered a genuine rogue planet (a planet-sized object not orbiting a star). This was a significant finding, but the object is located about 80 light-years away and poses no threat to Earth.