User talk:Fordsierra4x4

Image tagging

You should only mark images as "cropped" if they've been significantly cropped to focus in on a particular person or scene, or to get rid of an on-screen logo. A few pixels off either side needn't be mentioned. --Peter Farago 22:02, 7 May 2006 (CDT)

Aah, okay, gotcha. --Fordsierra4x4 22:05, 7 May 2006 (CDT)

Uploading images

Can you please please please please please "upload a new version" of an image which you have a HD copy of rather than uploading in a new location. Otherwise it means there are duplicate copies of images and if we then delete the old image name then we lose all history behind it. --Mercifull 02:42, 10 May 2006 (CDT)

Aargh all this uploading is so complicated! Can i just make the screencaps and give them to someone else?! :P --Fordsierra4x4 20:59, 10 May 2006 (CDT)

Please. It also saves us the trouble of redirecting every reference to the older image. --Peter Farago 22:30, 10 May 2006 (CDT)

Okay, no problem - when i upload an image that i know already exists, i'll just 'upload a newer version' but the ones i added just a few minutes ago, i dont know if they exist or not - so i just uploaded them into wiki limbo! --Fordsierra4x4 22:34, 10 May 2006 (CDT)

Its all a bit of a mess now, we've got duplicated images all over the place now. *grumbles* Any ideas on how to fix this? Delete new images and upload them in place of old image location and revert page back to point to right image location? --Mercifull 05:50, 11 May 2006 (CDT)

WikiLimbo does not exist here. Any images that get uploaded but not linked in an article end up on the Special:Unusedimages page. I frequently check that report and post those images to the Island of Misfit Images, where people hopefully check in every now and then for material to add to pages. (Feel free to do this yourself, though, if you're uploading an image and don't know where to put it.) Images that have been on the Island for a long time have been known to "disappear". I've been deleting dupe images that have ended up on unused images, if they had been replaced by some of Ford's HD pics.

I don't have any ideas on the "duplicate" situation. Maybe that's something we could bring up at the "Wanted Images" or maybe over at the Island? --Steelviper 07:00, 11 May 2006 (CDT)

Sorry if i seem to have caused a bit of a cock-up here, some of the images I capped & uploaded I didnt know already existed, some I did, hence the upload and subsequent replacement of the poorer quality/res images. However, as stated above, if an image is already pre-existing, i'll 'upload a newer version' rather than just capping & upping one to the island. As for 'Wanted Images' that would be mucho handy-o seeing as I have almost all of BSG now in HR HDTV (bar one ep) and knowing what to cap from what ep would be useful for me, and others. --Fordsierra4x4 09:52, 11 May 2006 (CDT)

Desgraciadamente, the Battlestar Wiki:Requested Images and Requested Character Pics are pretty sparsely populated at present. --Steelviper 10:19, 11 May 2006 (CDT)

If an image isn't preexisting, you should have a pretty clear notion of where it's going to be used. Please don't upload an image without linking it somewhere. --Peter Farago 11:08, 11 May 2006 (CDT)

Aaauuugh! I did it by accident people - uploaded an image that was pre-existing but i have an HD copy of it, however, mistakenly, i changed the destination name making it a file all of its own. Am i right in thinking that when i want to replace an image thats pre-existing i leave the destination filename as is? I'm still a little confused about that... --Fordsierra4x4 19:00, 23 May 2006 (CDT)

No biggie. If there's an existing version of an image, just click on the image to get to the image's "home page" and click the "Upload a new version of this file" link. I saved off your upload and did it that with the firewallbreech. That way we've got both versions available, and we don't have to mess with the links. It throws a warning about having the same image name when you go to save it, but that's the idea. Thanks for all your work with upgrading the images! --Steelviper 20:06, 23 May 2006 (CDT)

Aaaah - all becomes clear. Cheers. I now have every single ep of BSG including the Mini in 1920x1080i :) --Fordsierra4x4 22:38, 23 May 2006 (CDT)

Cool i think you've got the hang of it now hehe but it would be nice if you also added timestamps of your screenshots too ^_^ HH:MM:SS --Mercifull 03:30, 24 May 2006 (CDT)

Timestamps too? *sigh* :P --Fordsierra4x4 15:44, 24 May 2006 (CDT)

Thats the policy ^_^ --Mercifull 03:10, 26 May 2006 (CDT)

Images requiring upgrade...

You mentioned somewhere what kind of images people wanted. Well heres something for you to start on...

• Battlestar Wiki:Requested Images - First of all theres the Requested Images page.
• Category:Screen captures requiring upgrade - Then theres the list of images which are not HD or DVD quality. Most of those in that list are DVD captures of the original series so only worry about higher quality versions of the ones who truely need upgrading or are small in size dimensions eg Image:Adamas.jpg
• Category:Images with no tag - All these images have no tags at all, which usually means they are low quality. A lof of them are form Season 2 so will be hard to get high quality ones but theres also some season 1's there too

Hope that helps you if you are bored ^_^ --Mercifull 17:24, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

Just finally got set up in my new flat - cable internet sucks. Will do more screencapping as well - and if someone could please tell me what ep that shot of colonial heavy 798/colonial one was in (the one where it was docking), i'd appreciate it because that REALLY needs upgrading. Check the history of the Colonial One article to see what i mean --Fordsierra4x4 19:54, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

I'm pretty sure its the miniseries. --Mercifull 03:23, 15 June 2006 (CDT)

I'll check again, but if you could get a timestamp for it - that would help. I looked at the miniseries and Water and couldnt find a match... --Fordsierra4x4 14:02, 16 June 2006 (CDT)

Okay - finally got my main PC online again after a disaster - so I can continue with my capping work. It's taken much longer than anticipated to get everything working once more! Sorry about the delay :) --Fordsierra4x4 10:19, 23 June 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar GalactiSimpsons!

Not sure if you've seen [1] already, but they're absolutely brilliant. Bring on the Matt Groening version of BSG :D

Yeah i saw this a few weeks ago. Loving the Boomer pics :D --Mercifull 10:25, 23 June 2006 (CDT)

LOL!!!!!!!!!! --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 10:26, 23 June 2006 (CDT)

Begging Shoes!

Hey - if anyone has a working, but otherwise unused 5-port Ethernet Hub/Switch - please consider donating it to a worthy cause! I need to extend the DSL modem i have (SpeedTouch 510 - ICK!). Not sure if i can give much in return, but we'll see :) --Fordsierra4x4 17:46, 27 June 2006 (CDT)

I might have something, but won't know until tomorrow (need to locate and test it). --FrankieG 18:01, 27 June 2006 (CDT)

Oooh - that would be almightily cool - cause currently, i have to use the internet sat in/by the bathroom - the phone point is just outside it and the desk where my PC is on is a clear 20 feet away! :( --Fordsierra4x4 18:49, 27 June 2006 (CDT)

Need any cables? --FrankieG 20:34, 27 June 2006 (CDT)

I have a 300 meter roll of Cat5 and a crimp tool, but i've just moved, and i cant afford anything else. Cables i'm alright for, and i should have had a 5 port hub somewhere, but i think i left that in a box, in a basement, in the 2nd floor basement, in Brentford - i didnt think i'd need it at the time.... --Fordsierra4x4 20:49, 27 June 2006 (CDT)

You can probably pick one up for about a tenner online, it would cost almost that much to ship one to you. Unfortunatly the two that I have are being used at mates houses already :( --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 03:19, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

That's why i'm asking for donations - i'm skint :p --Fordsierra4x4 14:51, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

email me at gouge at newriver dot org --FrankieG 07:13, 29 June 2006 (CDT)

Just did - and got a bounceback. Email me at Kai (underscore) Robinson (at) Hotmail (dot) com --Fordsierra4x4 07:31, 29 June 2006 (CDT)

BTW - Just want to add props to frankie, thanks man, you got me a router - Awww! :D --Fordsierra4x4 17:04, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Hybrid!

Couldn't really think of where else to stash this - and I dont know if any/many of you have ever heard of Hybrid, but they're the best musical talent i've ever heard. If you've ever watched Top Gear, you'll have heard at least two or three of their pieces, and they have a few albums out at the moment that are available on Amazon. They're releasing another album in September - and there's a free track available to download (requires registering for, but simple, and takes seconds), if you think you're even vaguely interested - GET IT. Seriously - it's spectacular! Bear McCreary and these guys would make one hell of an album ;) --Fordsierra4x4 15:22, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

Reminder for anyone who cares - the Album is out on the 4th September! --Fordsierra4x4 07:47, 25 August 2006 (CDT)

Supra for Sale

Again, dont know if this allowed or not, but recent circumstances have caused me to put my beloved Toyota Supra up for sale. It's a black 1988 non-turbo. Comes with Road Tax and MOT until November 31st, 167500 miles on the clock. Grey cloth interior, CD Player, electric windows, climate control, cruise control, electric seats. Recently had a new set of rear tyres, new front brakes, front wheel bearing, clutch and radiator. Pictures and more details available upon request. Looking for offers over £400. Cheers :( --Fordsierra4x4 17:30, 4 July 2006 (CDT)

Just fitted it with the digital climate control that finally arrived two months late, so now you'll have all the cool stuff if you get it... --Fordsierra4x4 19:33, 10 July 2006 (CDT)

Just replaced the Alternator as well... --Fordsierra4x4 16:27, 17 July 2006 (CDT)

But... the steering wheel is on the wrong side. ;) --Steelviper 06:53, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

No, its on the Right side ;) --Fordsierra4x4 20:31, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

Just wanna mention, its still for sale.... :( --Fordsierra4x4 17:03, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Shrink image

Could you possibly minimuse the image in your profile a tad. 350 is a bit wide imo ^_^ --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 03:53, 17 July 2006 (CDT)

Any better? :) --Fordsierra4x4 16:26, 17 July 2006 (CDT)

Same to me... anyway.. you got any pic's of your monster machine? --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 16:43, 17 July 2006 (CDT)

There - should keep even the biggest geeks happy :P --Fordsierra4x4 10:20, 25 July 2006 (CDT)

You didnt need to make it that much smaller lol but yeah its great now hehe --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 17:00, 17 July 2006 (CDT)

Erm as a matter of fact, i do have pics, although how do i make them thumbnail?

[[Image:High.jpg|thumb|??px|Caption]] --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 19:15, 18 July 2006 (CDT)

HDBits Invite anyone?

I've got one, maybe two invites for hdbits.org (as i'm a member there), and I was wondering, since a lot of HD BSG content is shared there, does anyone want an account there? Mainly looking for people that do screencaps as well as myself, although if god himself (joe) wants one, then i'll wangle something with the admins. --Fordsierra4x4 10:30, 10 August 2006 (CDT)

Just checked - i have two available invites, and so far, no takers, which is odd.... --Fordsierra4x4 11:19, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Perhaps because the quality of the downloaded episodes is nowhere near watching it on a true big screen. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 12:17, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

That not valid at all. 1280x720 HD Content is far better than you'll get on any DVD's, which are 720x480. These arent 350mb encodes either - each episode is 1.8gb in size, so dont think you're getting inferior quality in any way. --Fordsierra4x4 15:28, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

If no one else takes one, I will. I'm always looking for better resolution S2.5 eps for screen caps until the DVDs come out. --Talos 16:45, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Okay, sure. email me your address to invite, mine should be up there somewhere under 'begging shoes'. On another note, do people not realise that HD caps are of higher resolution than DVD's are? HD is the highest you're going to get! Also, HDBits has all of Season 1, Season 2 upto Ep 17 so far and adding them on a weekly basis. Oh, and the miniseries should be up there too. --Fordsierra4x4 17:02, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Thanks, I'll email you in a little bit. I know DVDs aren't as high quality, but they are convienent and don't take up 2 gigs a pop. --Talos 17:13, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

What, doesnt everyone have 600gb of storage? Seriously though, although i keep my BSG on the hard disk, i do back them up to DVD - with the 720p's, usually 2eps per DVD, although the 1080i's just barely squeeze onto a single layer DVD+R. The ones i had before were 1920x1080i's that I downscaled to 700mb 960x540 HR-HDTV XviD's, these new ones are full res 1280x720p MPEG-4 AVC MKV's. I hate the container format, but AVI cant have AVC inside :/ --Fordsierra4x4 17:16, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Okay, I sent you the e-mail. I don't have much HD space, need to clean out some anyway now to fit an episode or two on it. Plus, I don't have a DVD-R drive, just a CD-RW. --Talos 17:25, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Invite sent, I still have one left though for anyone that wants it. --Fordsierra4x4 17:29, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Got it, thanks. --Talos 17:41, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Okay - for anyone that wants to join HDBits, you dont need an invite for the next 24 hours or so - they've opened up their signups for the next day or so TOPS, after that, it's invite only. Should anyone miss the open signup, i still have one more invite left. --Fordsierra4x4 09:03, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

While tecnically speaking HD video on a PC is of higher quality in reality its not. Viewing movies on a PC using a monitor is never as good visually than seeing it on a big screen especially when most avi's touted as HD are actually highly compressed with lots of artifacts. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 09:18, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

I have to disagree with you, because thats totally false. Where I get my screencaps from is exactly the same as its broadcast - ie, in x264/AVC at 6.0 Megs/sec Data Rate with the original AC3 5.1 Audio (Hence the large filesize of 1.8+ GB) - so there is *NO* difference in the quality. You may however be thinking about downscales or re-encodes of the original HD source, such as my original 960x540's. They had been transcoded from the original 1920x1080i MPEG2 source, and turned into 960x540 XviD's. That did cause compression and a reduction in size. However, the 720p copies i currently have, as i have stated before, are the original transport streams, simply added to a container (Matroska, not AVI), no transcoding done at all.

If you were to watch the 720p content on a 26" Widescreen, vs the 720p content on a standard 1280x1024 LCD Flat Panel, there would be zero difference between them, other than the 26" Widescreen would be larger, and you would be able to more easily pick out compression artefacts. --Fordsierra4x4 09:43, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

Perhaps because I generally sit less than arms length away from my monitor and several meters from my 32" TV i noctice artifacts more on a PC than on a TV? --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 10:03, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

I would guess thats why, yes. However, is your 32" TV 1366x768 resolution or less? If its less (standard def 16:9), then the picture gets downscaled to fit, and you'll see a quality *increase* as opposed to the PC, where its 1280x1024, scaled to fit a 1280x720 picture. You notice the same if you're trying to play back a 1920x1080i picture on a monitor like that. at 100%, it looks grainy and you can pick bits out. Downscaled, it looks great. --Fordsierra4x4 10:31, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

Of course not to mention that downloading the movies is illegal because it breaks the copyright law. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 09:20, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

Well there is that, although some might argue that as its being broadcast, its no different that letting someone borrow a recording of it, seeing as no money is exchanging hands. Then again, i'm not a copyright expert and i dont have time for the in's and out's of it. I made an offer to people for an invite to HDBits, not for any spedific content, although i *did* advertise that it was available. People can do whatever they want with the accounts they create. --Fordsierra4x4 09:43, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

You can argue whatever you like but the fact remains that downloading the copies is illegal we all know it is hehe. However, so long as you don't post the direct links to any torrents here I dont see a problem with you inviting people :) --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 10:00, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

Now you see why i worded the invite so carefully? Also, i wasn't arguing, just stating that some people *might* argue :P --Fordsierra4x4 10:31, 15 August 2006 (CDT)

Oddness with Uploads

Erm, i think this might just be due to the fact that the site is undergoing changes, but i'd like to make sure. Trying to upload pictures, so as usual, i click on the 'upload file' link and it says i'm not logged in. Okay, fine, so i try and log in and....i dont exist?? Problems behind the scenes still? --Fordsierra4x4 13:49, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

So....can we upload files yet? And also, could you change the background of the edit window from red back to black? --Fordsierra4x4 07:45, 25 August 2006 (CDT)

You need to register to upload images seperatly on the mediawiki. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 08:00, 25 August 2006 (CDT)

You have to register on the new wiki. Different databases. Just do the same name so at a later time.. I can re-link everyone to their image. Media Wiki There is also a cool programed named "Commonist" --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 08:02, 25 August 2006 (CDT)

--Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 08:14, 25 August 2006 (CDT)==Haus Party==

Time for a haus party! ;-)--FrankieG 13:59, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

She's a brick... haus. Dah duh duh. --Steelviper 14:01, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

I don't think I can attend. Going to the UK is a long trip. --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 14:02, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

Missing out on the Barbecue then Mr Froebel :p

We're all going to get piss ass drunk, do stupid things eat food etc. Oh and there *will* be drunk slutty ho's there for all to enjoy. Except me. --Fordsierra4x4 14:18, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

You would have to provide soda for me to attend. :) --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 14:29, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

I provide drunk slutty ho's and all you want is soda?! Pepsi & Schloer will be available. --Fordsierra4x4 14:30, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

Not too much of a drinking person. I have to occually specially drink in which I might have one or two. But that's my limit. :) I think the "married" men and if any "married" women of the wiki would have to stay away from the ho's. lol --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 14:36, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

Drink! The cause of and solution to all of life's problems ;) --Fordsierra4x4 17:22, 22 August 2006 (CDT)

Free drink, free food, free girls... where... when??????!!!!!!!! lol --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 08:14, 25 August 2006 (CDT)