[Forum] In which directory are User Profile Pictures located?

[Rik Brown]

1) In which directory are individual profile pictures located?
2) And in which table is the image name specified for a user's profile picture?

Thanks. -- Rik

[Andy]

By default profile pictures and avatars are stored in the database.

To check how avatars and profile pictures are currently stored on your forum:

Admin CP -> Avatars -> User Picture Storage Type

[Rik Brown]

Andy:

I see that the User Picture Storage Type is shown as being "served from the database". But there isn't an option there to change that.

Also, in Admin CP -> Settings -> Image Settings, there is no option to change the storage method there.

Is one required to use the database storage method? Or are you aware of the place to change it?

Sorry for so many questions. Thanks again. -- Rik

[cloferba]

Andy:

I see that the User Picture Storage Type is shown as being "served from the database". But there isn't an option there to change that.

Also, in Admin CP -> Settings -> Image Settings, there is no option to change the storage method there.

Is one required to use the database storage method? Or are you aware of the place to change it?

Sorry for so many questions. Thanks again. -- Rik

If you read carefully, you will see that the title of the User Picture Storage Type is "Move Items from Database into File System", you just need to be sure that the defined paths are readable and writeable by your web server (chmod 777). After that you have to press the Go button.

Regards

[Rik Brown]

cloferba:

Ah-ha! I don't know how many times I looked at that page without noticing the title. I just thought I was looking at directory definitions and not actual movement into those directories.

I understand now.

Thanks to both of you. -- Rik

[Andy]

I suggest leaving the profile pictures and avatars storage type in the database, one less thing to worry about.

[Rik Brown]

Andy: I agree, except that I need to share them with another program not directly associated with vBulletin, but part of our website. Thanks, again. -- Rik

[Andy]

Andy: I agree, except that I need to share them with another program not directly associated with vBulletin, but part of our website. Thanks, again. -- Rik

Hi Rik,

If you wanted to read the database table directly your other program that should be no problem either.

[Rik Brown]

Andy: I'll check into that. But wouldn't reading images out of the database be slower than serving images from disk? Thanks. -- Rik

[Wayne Luke]

Andy: I'll check into that. But wouldn't reading images out of the database be slower than serving images from disk? Thanks. -- Rik

Depends on your disks... MySQL actually stores binary uploads as individual files on the drive as it is. They are simply indexed so retrieval is faster. If you have a modern 10,000 RPM Drive with journaled file access, then you're basically running a fast database on your drive anyway. If you're using 5400 RPM drives with an older file system than it will be slower. If your storage is accessed via NFS or SAMBA, than it will be slower. Etc...

[Andy]

Andy: I'll check into that. But wouldn't reading images out of the database be slower than serving images from disk? Thanks. -- Rik

Doesn't make much difference when considering profile and avatars images are very small and they will be quickly cached by the browser.