Uploads: Document Files vs. Images

[Lupp]

Someone about to upload images should be reminded that images are useless in most cases, unless there is a specific problem concerning the View. (Exceptions perhaps with the "Draw" component.) Wherever possible, a file with a sample document should be uploaded instead.
A confimation of "I am well aware of that." should be required before the upload of an image is accepted.

The reasons are many, and may differ depending on the mainly addressed component. Nevertheless some of them are relevant in most cases. A short list of the "very general reasons":
- Threads with images may grow extremely in area.
- Images are sent automatically to the visitor. Unneeded traffic.
- Better understanding of unclear questions mostly isn't well supported.
- Experimental steps needed when looking for an answer are extremely aggravated.

[MrProgrammer]

It will probably be much easier to upload the document instead of a screen image of it, due to the restriction on upload size (128K). A simple spreadsheet to demonstrate the difficulty might be 20K. A screen image from a desktop computer might be a megabyte. The image size can be reduced by cropping, by reducing the number of colors, or by converting it to GIF format but these are often, it seems, techniques not familiar to those posting here. Discussion about how reduce the size distracts from and delays resolution of the problem.

First, I need to guess what might be causing the problem, since the image doesn't show many important details. Then I will want to test my solution, and to do that I would have to re-type what the image shows. Both of these create unnecessary work for someone providing free help. Thus, I usually ignore posts with screen images until a document is attached. Here is text I paste in, which those familar with my posts will recognize:

If you need any additional assistance attach a spreadsheet demonstrating the difficulty (remove confidential information then use Post Reply, not Quick Reply, and don't attach a picture instead of the spreadsheet itself). I will not help further unless you attach.

[Hagar Delest]

It is quite explained in the tutorial but it can be reworded if needed: viewtopic.php?t=8289

[floris v]

Respectfully: That tutorial is too long, many people will not read it to the end. And it suggests that it's okay to upload a screenshot when needed, without stating when it is needed.

[Hagar Delest]

I have indeed reworded that part for screenshots, feel free to propose a better wording if needed.
The first post is the main one, the others are for further details.

A confimation of "I am well aware of that." should be required before the upload of an image is accepted.

But I admit that I don't fully grasp the request here. If it is to add something in the attach form, then it has to be dealt with the dev mailing list because we don't have enough karma to change such configuration.