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Topic: Book Covers Are There ... But Then They Aren't!

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grinchygirl avatar
Subject: Book Covers Are There ... But Then They Aren't!
Date Posted: 4/14/2008 12:05 AM ET
Member Since: 1/7/2007
Posts: 71
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Hi All,

I'm hoping perhaps some knowledgeable book image person can answer this for me. I've been working really hard on having each and every book on my bookshelf to have a picture when it has been missing on the PBS site.

I scan them, crop, and make sure they fit the size guidelines, then submit using the "Upload Book Covers" link located at the bottom of the page. Lately, I have noticed on a few that on the screen where I can view a listing, all the little mini book covers are showing, but if I go into an individual book, it will have the "No Image Available" blue screen.

Now, I KNOW I did that one and submitted it myself. Where did it go? If it is showing up in tiny form in the multiple listing on my bookshelf, why is it not showing up when I click on the book itself. (For example: Bakers Easy Cut Up Party Cakes on my bookshelf).  Is this just a glitch on my end? I have noticed this on other books as well, not just my own.

Thanks in advance!
Melissa

Patouie avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Coordinator medalBook Data Approver medalTour Guide Asst. Coord. medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Cruise Attendee medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 4/14/2008 1:30 AM ET
Member Since: 8/26/2006
Posts: 9,656
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Hey Melissa,

Even when you post a perfectly good image (JPEG format, cropped, nice and clear) there's some gremlin somewhere that is munching a small percentage of them.

Also, the image loads into the system in three different sizes: the thumbnail size, the regular size, and the "view larger image" jumbo deluxe.  These load in different digital places.

It's a good idea to keep track of the books you're working with, and hang on to the image.  So, post the image.  Then a week or two later, go back and check it.  As you've discovered, sometimes one of the image sizes will have "taken" while the other size isn't there. 

Just upload the image again, and usually the second time through, it'll be part of the larger percentage of images that go through okay.

It's happening to all of us, if that's any comfort.

royaltech avatar
Member of the Month medalBook Cover Image Approver medalBook Data Coordinator medalFriend of PBS-Gold medal
Date Posted: 4/14/2008 2:22 AM ET
Member Since: 11/14/2005
Posts: 6,421
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Also, you must make sure that the image you upload is large enough to be a "larger view" image or converted to larger. If you upload an image that is only the dimensions of the small image, then you will only get that view.

Images need to be a minimum of 400, I believe to be enlarged to the largest image. I always try my best to upload an image as close as possible to 320 x 500 px. If that doesn't help, please feel free to contact any member that has a BI or BIC icon by their name.

grinchygirl avatar
Date Posted: 4/14/2008 11:34 AM ET
Member Since: 1/7/2007
Posts: 71
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Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. I was pretty sure that my images were large enough to accommodate the three different views PBS offers, especially that Bakers party cakes, it is a large hardback and I scanned it at full size with no reductions.  I will keep an eye on their finished sizes in the future, thanks Sherry for the tips.

I do save all of the book covers I have uploaded (and boy are they taking up room), so it will be easy for me to re-submit. I found another on my bookshelf last night that the photos aren't showing up in the individual view as well, so will do that one too.

Off to the PO for shipments this morning, have a great day all!
Melissa