Announcement: Forum image upload changes

We are changing the forums to use Faithlife's standard image hosting feature, known as "Amber".

This system is already used by Faithlife.com, our wikis, and the Logos Media Tool (among others). It provides a central place to store and manage all the media you're using across Faithlife products.

Because Amber is a modern platform that's being actively developed (unlike the forum software itself), it offers some new features that we think will be useful for posting:

Upload by pasting an image from your clipboard into the Amber picker, instead of having to save it to a file on disk first.
Upload multiple files (e.g., log files) at once by using drag-and-drop from Explorer/Finder.
More file types supported.
Files are served from a global content delivery network, so they should load faster.

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Comments

Levi Durfey

Thanks for this upgrade. I really like how we will be able to save screenshots on Amber for use in other posts.

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

I should have mentioned that you can also access Amber through its own website (where you can manage your own media, and media for any groups you belong to) at https://amber.faithlife.com/.

Why is there still an "Insert/Edit Image" icon next to the "Insert Attachements/Media" icon?

It's also not clear how to insert an image from the clipboard. I pressed Ctrl-V to paste an image from the clipboard, it shows up in the edit window (it's still there, I can see it), but it doesn't show up in the published posting.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156185#Comment_1156185

It's also not clear how to insert an image from the clipboard. I pressed Ctrl-V to paste an image from the clipboard, it shows up in the edit window (it's still there, I can see it), but it doesn't show up in the published posting.

Hm. You mean you just used Ctrl-V in the forum editor? This won't work and hasn't worked ever, I think.

(next line is a pasted-into-the-forum-editor screenshot, probably invisible)

What is new with Amber is that you can use Ctrl-V in the Amber popup which uploads the screenshot to Amber without any further steps. Hitting Insert there will close Amber and put the screenshot here:

This works.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156186#Comment_1156186

I tried both. Neither showed up.

Trying again in Amber... it seems to work now. Thanks.

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156185#Comment_1156185

Why is there still an "Insert/Edit Image" icon next to the "Insert Attachements/Media" icon?

We are just replacing the attachment functionality initially. It probably makes sense to remove that other icon, now.

Dave Hooton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156241#Comment_1156241

Bradley,

The one thing it is missing is the Delete function. I just noticed an image I wasn't conscious of uploading + many associated tags.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156263#Comment_1156263

The one thing it is missing is the Delete function.

(this is asset details. In the other view, scroll down to the end, righthand side)

Dave Hooton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156269#Comment_1156269

Thanks for that. I can get rid of some wiki images now.

Graham Criddle

When uploading images using Chrome on my IPad, I am requested to sign in to Amber each time.

Is anyone else seeing this?

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156677#Comment_1156677

When uploading images using Chrome on my IPad, I am requested to sign in to Amber each time.

Is anyone else seeing this?

This is a me-to post!

Me to

(but on my iMac)

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156677#Comment_1156677

Chrome on my IPad

As you may know, this is really Safari.

We have some single sign-on problems with Amber in Safari due to it blocking some cookies we need. We have a team actively working on solving this problem. In the meantime, I wonder if you might be able to go to https://amber.faithlife.com and sign in there? Hopefully that would save the authentication for when the picker opens inside a forum post.

Floyd Johnson

Obviously, for some Amber is common knowledge, but I have never heard of it before. Is there some documation available?

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156796#Comment_1156796

As you may know, this is really Safari.

Please clarify - I have the Chrome app installed on my iPad and use it to access these forums.

I wonder if you might be able to go to https://amber.faithlife.com and sign in there?

When I followed that link on my iPad I had access to my area on Amber as I was already logged in - but there was still a requirement to sign in when trying to add an image to a forum post.

I signed out and back in again and the issue remains.

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156812#Comment_1156812

As you may know, this is really Safari.

Please clarify - I have the Chrome app installed on my iPad and use it to access these forums.

Apple doesn't allow third-party web browser engines in the App Store, so any other browser you install is really just a "theme" around Safari; hence the authentication problems with Safari present themselves.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156923#Comment_1156923

Apple doesn't allow third-party web browser engines in the App Store, so any other browser you install is really just a "theme" around Safari; hence the authentication problems with Safari present themselves.

Chrome, Firefox, and Opera web browsers can be downloaded from their own web sites (did not find them in Apple's App Store on macOS 10.15.7)

Keep Smiling [:)]

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156923#Comment_1156923

Apple doesn't allow third-party web browser engines in the App Store, so any other browser you install is really just a "theme" around Safari; hence the authentication problems with Safari present themselves.

Thanks Bradley, I did not know that.

Simon’s Brother

This is an absolute pain to use on phones. I’ve read and tried all your suggestions and they make no difference Bradley, you are still required to sign in to Amber every time , even when you are signed in to the Amber website and using SafarI. And once you get to the amber site, the screen size is hard to navigate and work out what you are supposed to br clicking on to get it to work and insert a screen shot in your message.

Something that used to be simple and quick is now painful and convoluted for phone users the device in which I use the forums the most. Why does FL insist on implementing something they no is buggy and going to cheese off their customers ? These speaks volumes about how poorly you consider segments of your customers needs and the impacts on them when you push this sort rubbish onto us.

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1157575#Comment_1157575

Maybe we can disable it for mobile devices.

(Honestly, the forums are so horrible to browse from a phone that it didn't cross my mind that this would be a common user scenario. I apologise for overlooking this.)

Simon’s Brother

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1157578#Comment_1157578

It you could disable it, then it would be good Bradley. Mostly I browse from phone because that is when my free time is while travelling on public transport to or from work or maybe sitting out in the backyard etc. I spend most of my day sitting at a desk at work and so browsing on my phone whete i feel relaxed is preferred to sitting at my desk. I only sit at desktop when I want to actually use Logos for in depth study otherwise general reading of books, forums etc is always on the phone. I don’t own a tablet device or laptop only the phone and Desktop PC.

Maybe we can disable it for mobile devices.

(Honestly, the forums are so horrible to browse from a phone that it didn't cross my mind that this would be a common user scenario. I apologise for overlooking this.)

Floyd Johnson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156804#Comment_1156804

Obviously, for some Amber is common knowledge, but I have never heard of it before. Is there some documation available?

Bump

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1157588#Comment_1157588

Not quite what you want but it is Amber documentation Amber documentation (amber-lang.net)

In the Logos context, it is what allows us to put images in notes.

Floyd Johnson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1157594#Comment_1157594

Not quite what you want but it is Amber documentation Amber documentation (amber-lang.net)

In the Logos context, it is what allows us to put images in notes.

How do you use it with LOGOS forums - I have never heard of it.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1157595#Comment_1157595

How do you use it with LOGOS forums - I have never heard of it.

Single image:

position where you want an image
click on paper clip icon
drag and drop image into panel (sometimes one must hit upload first - depending on size of window and what one's been doing)
select insert

Multiple images:

click on paper clip icon
select multiple images
position where you want an image
click paper clip icon
select image you want
select insert
repeat steps 3-6 for all the images you are using.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1157597#Comment_1157597

How do you use it with LOGOS forums - I have never heard of it.

Single image:

position where you want an image

click on paper clip icon

drag and drop image into panel (sometimes one must hit upload first - depending on size of window and what one's been doing)

select insert

just two small additions:

as a third alternative to drag & drop and upload, copy / paste will work, too
along with images (such as screenshots), the same works for other file types you'd upload in the forums - like the old file uploader did, too - e.g. for logfiles (=text files), PBB-source documents (MS Word or compatible docx-files) and zipped containers of multiple files.

Rosie Perera

How come every time I upload a screenshot that contains some text in it (which nearly every screenshot does), the Tags field is preloaded with "font"? This seems like a useless tag for all generic text. It will make searching for images that really do have something specific to do with fonts find EVERYTHING.

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1158220#Comment_1158220

This is a HORRIBLE "improvement". Wretched through and through...spawned in the tenth circle of hell.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160787#Comment_1160787

This is a HORRIBLE "improvement". Wretched through and through...spawned in the tenth circle of hell.

Which is, of course, the reason it greatly speeds my posting of tips because of the ability to upload all the images at once and insert them quickly in their appropriate position. All of which simply proves that users use features differently and therefore find different aspects helpful/not helpful.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160794#Comment_1160794

What happens when a user "deletes an asset" from Amber if it is in a forum post?
Why is there not a way to select multiple "assets" and delete them at once?

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160811#Comment_1160811

I will try and answer my first question:

If you can still see the screenshot of my previous post, then deleting the asset has no bearing in the forums.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1156796#Comment_1156796

In the meantime, I wonder if you might be able to go to https://amber.faithlife.com and sign in there? Hopefully that would save the authentication for when the picker opens inside a forum post.

Unfortunately, that tip does not work. I am signed in on amber, but have to re-authenticate each time. [:s]

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160813#Comment_1160813

Any idea what these are Bradley?

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160823#Comment_1160823

Are deleted items ever really deleted?

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160825#Comment_1160825

Is there any way to determine and sort for items uploaded in the forums vs. desktop software?

Rosie Perera

I still find it weird to upload quick screenshots that are essentially throw-away images just to illustrate some problem I'm reporting with the software. Amber is a repository for images that might be reused, complete with excellent tagging features and all. I feel strange about uploading something that has very limited and temporary value there. But I do it, because it's now the only way to post images on the forum. It still seems like overkill for most of the images I would ever post here.

Kevin A

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160871#Comment_1160871

I think the biggest issue with amber, is that it is only a matter of time before someone is going to paste an image of something private, sat inadvertently in their clipboard, into a note in Logos where it will be automatically uploaded to amber, and they will have no way of permanently deleting it.

SineNomine

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160900#Comment_1160900

I think the biggest issue with amber, is that it is only a matter of time before someone is going to paste an image of something private, sat inadvertently in their clipboard, into a note in Logos where it will be automatically uploaded to amber, and they will have no way of permanently deleting it.

I have successfully deleted everything I've ever uploaded to Amber (other than my display pic, which I don't want to delete).

Lew Worthington

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160871#Comment_1160871

I still find it weird to upload quick screenshots that are essentially throw-away images just to illustrate some problem I'm reporting with the software....

Yeah, I expressed that same view to a FL rep a while back. Even with web images for FL Sites, I typically don't want to keep stuff if I'm only posting an image for a short time.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160920#Comment_1160920

I have successfully deleted everything I've ever uploaded to Amber

Have you checked that this had no effect on your forum posts?

SineNomine

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160928#Comment_1160928

I have successfully deleted everything I've ever uploaded to Amber

Have you checked that this had no effect on your forum posts?

I don't know exactly what you mean, but I do know that my answer is "No".

Kevin A

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160932#Comment_1160932

I have successfully deleted everything I've ever uploaded to Amber

Are your items showing here?

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160928#Comment_1160928

I have successfully deleted everything I've ever uploaded to Amber

Have you checked that this had no effect on your forum posts?

If you mean, “Can I delete images in Amber and have it not impact the forums,?” see my posts on page 2.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160940#Comment_1160940

[Y]

SineNomine

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1160936#Comment_1160936

I have successfully deleted everything I've ever uploaded to Amber
Are your items showing here?

The assets that I have both uploaded to Amber and deleted do not show there. There is one asset that was uploaded by LogosWebOperations (before I deleted it) that is showing there.

Kevin A

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1161137#Comment_1161137

The assets that I have both uploaded to Amber and deleted do not show there.

That is really useful info thanks.

It will be interesting to find out how many other people are able to permanently delete uploaded assets. All media I delete ends up in the deleted assets folder, with only the option to undelete. Are you deleting from within amber.faithlife.com or some other way? Any clues would be good thanks

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1161140#Comment_1161140

Plain and simple, beside being unpleasant to engage, this software is incredibly intrusive. Once again, FL trades easy for obscene.

Beloved Amodeo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1161240#Comment_1161240

Plain and simple, beside being unpleasant to engage, this software is incredibly intrusive. Once again, FL trades easy for obscene.

I too fail to see the advantages of this novelty.

Floyd Johnson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1161242#Comment_1161242

Plain and simple, beside being unpleasant to engage, this software is incredibly intrusive. Once again, FL trades easy for obscene.

I too fail to see the advantages of this novelty.

[Y]

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1161242#Comment_1161242

I too fail to see the advantages of this novelty.

Being able to upload multiple images cuts the time I spend on images by 3/4; being able to reuse without reloading saves time; drag-and-drop capability saves time; zip files being named correctly is nice, ... Amber is a standard product that has been used behind the scene for several years ... and we had access to it if you poked around.

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1161261#Comment_1161261

I too fail to see the advantages of this novelty.

Being able to upload multiple images cuts the time I spend on images by 3/4; being able to reuse without reloading saves time; drag-and-drop capability saves time; zip files being named correctly is nice, ... Amber is a standard product that has been used behind the scene for several years ... and we had access to it if you poked around.

I don't reject anything you say here (well, some--I don't consider drag-n-drop quicker than a simple double-click)...but none of these gains accounts for the losses. I don't personally find gains in my experience because I almost never engage in the practices you describe. I do, however, find the opposite in my experience, namely that the process is now more cumbersome and more time-consuming, with the nasty side-effects of apparent permanence of anything uploaded into this monstrous cloud thing.

To summarize, I don't deny your experience, but I also don't share it. It seems that this change correlates somewhat with the previous brouhaha over the presentation of the NASB95. Some people, mostly those for whom the NASB was their 3rd or 5th or 8th preferred Bible, wanted its presentation to conform to all of their other preferred Bibles (paragraph format), and FL made the change. Only for those who used the NASB as their top priority Bible, the verse-by-verse format of the NASB was not only highly desired but integral to their Logos experience. In the end, FL made it a matter of user choice. I certainly think something like that should be implemented here. I simply don't want to use the upload feature that now exists, but I am occasionally forced to in order to illustrate some issue or other. I would much prefer the previous method, clean and simple and transient. If you can continue using the monster, bully for you.