Why does the system download local copies of images?

Product Support

AI-generated summary

The system downloads local copies of images to preserve content in case the remote images are removed and to avoid using the remote site’s bandwidth. This setting is enabled in Discourse settings under “download remote images to local.” EricGT and pfaffman explain that this feature ensures content reliability and avoids rude behavior by not using the remote site’s bandwidth. Images are then processed and saved as .png files, which can be referenced in markdown using the upload:// prefix. VSCPlays initially asked about the purpose of this feature in Discourse, but pfaffman and VSCPlays later clarified that the question was about the intended use of this feature in the platform.

1

I made a topic in the DevForums, but I’ve encountered this:

image

and I have questions:

  1. Why they automatically download local copies of images?
  2. Why it always start with upload:// and ends with .png?
  3. What is it meant to be used in Discourse?
2

I am sure there are many but in checking the Discourse settings for a site found

download remote images to local

Convert remote (hotlinked) images to local images by downloading them; This preserves content even if the images are removed from the remote site in future.

3

Because downloading images from other web sites is unreliable (they might get deleted) and rude (you’re using their bandwidth).

Unless images are really small (there is a site setting defining small) they get processed into a .png to save space. They start with upload:// because that’s the way to refer to those uploads in markdown.

I don’t understand this question.

4

I mean “why is it meant to be used in discourse”