Andys Gaming Blog

In the unlikely (hopefully) event  you see any SPAM here on Tradestands please be sure to email me: andy@tradestands.co.uk.

Since we have the secure login pages that seems to have eradicated that sort of SPAM, other types include SPAM comments - plaese enable the plugin Bad Behavior to help stop this SPAM if it occurs.

To enable a full range of stats on your Blog dont forget to enable FireStats in the Plugins section

When writing a post you can upload images. There is a size limit of 500kb on each uploaded image - do not try to upload any larger images as it simply will not work. If you need to show images larger than 500kb you will need to Link to them elsewhere on the web (e.g., Flickr) - but as you will see from below it is unlikely that will be required with a little bit of work with Photoshop or some other image program.

Usually, images from todays digital cameras are much bigger than 500kb, typically they are several MB! I recommend you use one of the many photo manipulation packages available to reduce the dimensions (ie pixel size) which will of course reduce the size of the image, but more importantly pictures are best saved in JPG format and this format allows a number of quality settings (%) - typically for example using Photoshop you can save with medium-high (30%-60%) and get a much reduced file size without compromising the on screen viewing pleasure (note do not use these on screen optimized pictures for you photographic printing - always use the originals for best quality)

Below is the same picture in various modes for you to directly compare:

The Original Image was 1536×2048 pixel and approx 1.6Mb in size! Far to big for this Blog!

I then scaled this image down to a more manageable 600pixels wide (800 tall as it happens) result in a file size of 384k!

The next image was saved for web in photoshop using Maximum (100%) setting resulting in a file size of 348kb:

Next image is at Photoshop Very High (80%) setting and has a file size of 124kb!

The next has a photoshop setting of high (60%) only 62kb in size now!

Now we are down to a medium (30%) setting on Photoshop - file size of 28kb! (check the sword and helmet areas for corrupted pixels)

Finally the Low (10%) setting in photoshop for a tiny file size of 18kb!

As you can see there is very little difference between some of the images, typically the lower quality setting you use then expect some pixels deformation around edges of objects… I would recommend you stick between 30 %and 60% if using photoshop (or PS elements etc) - but you have to judge what best suits your images as some may require a higher setting than others.

For non photographic images the GIF is generally best - i.e., for images of flat colours like diagrams.

Hope this has been useful.

If you want comments to your posts to be automatically shown (ie without your approval) you need to do the following:

1. Login
2. Click on Options
3. Click on Discussion

On this page you will see a section labeled “Before a comment appears” - set them as shown below, if you want to approve all posts then of course ensure the “An administrator must always approve the comment” box.

Just added the ability to create a libray of HTML Tables for use in your posts, simply login in go to the back end and select Manage –>Tables (Make sure you have enabled the Tables under the Plugins menu first!). Design your table and when finished just remember the table ID and you can simply add it to any posts your write by using the following tab: [TABLE=ID number] So for example my first table ID 1 =

WAB Unit

Just added a Random Blog link to the top menu bar - it is available to vistors and logged in users alike!

Go on - see where it takes you on Tradestands

Just added a very nice widget called “Now Reading” - this allows you to create a list of books/reviews you have or are reading - along with image of book (if available on amazon) - very nice library function - try it out and let me know what you think.

Well, although the site is not officially live yet it is entirely possible people will stumble across it hence my posts - well they are as much for me to check out the site functionality as would be visitors!

Well as can be seen the look and fell of the main site is sorted - for the time being at least. The Pharaoh in chariot is from my 25mm Foundry Egyptian WAB Army painted by Alan Parsloe. Once I get a better picture I will replace but the Pharaoh thing is growing on me so will no doubt keep this as the main logo image.

As well as getting the look and feel sorted I have downloaded and modified where I am allowed a number of themes for use on the site - most feature some form of link to gaming - one or two are just nice themes - I am sure I will add many more for gamers to use - hopefully some created by gamers themselves

The first step of the launch will be to promote Tradestands blogs to the WAB forum community and go from there!

Now the task of upgrading from MU Wordpress 1.2.5a to 1.3RC! - I hope I remember to capture all the css edits I made in this release!

Anyhow thats enough about Tradestands - it kinda speak for itself really