I hope that topic title makes sense.

I have done some quick searching around and have not found much on this topic.
Basically, my Webserver is running off my personal machine.
It therefor has direct access to the directories that I keep my photos in.

I want to know if there is an easy way to allow ZenPhoto to use those directories so I do not have to upload a second copy of all my 1000's of pictures I already have.

I really don;t want to have to place a picture in my photo dir & update ZenPhoto with a second copy of the file.
I could get by with having to add the new photo to ZP but NOT ulpoad it. That would be awesome.

Is this easily possible?

I tried to place a picture I didn't upload into the directory and it actually worked.
So, I think what I can do is just make a blank dir and alias it to the dir I want on the website.

Let's see what happens when I do that. =)

SO far, everything I have done to setup an alias for a ZP dir has failed. It works for my other dirs. I will continue to try.

Zenphoto will not work on album folders which are not accessable from the webserver. If your local hard drive can be accessed from the server, just set the albums folder to point to it--see the zp-config.php file.

I have verified the ZP ignores Apache's Alias setup.

I have a directory inside ZP called Me
It is aliased to another spot on my HD using the Apache Alias
If I use the index.php I do not see the files in the dir, it simply shows me a questions mark.
If I point my browser to the directory, I see the listing of the pix so I know the alias is working.

Anyone have a suggestion?
I guess I could just make an alias for the WHOLE ZP dir to move to the same spot on the HS as my pictures, but there has to be a work around?

I will look through the zp-config.php file.
Thank you

Apache aliases or linex/unix aliases? At any rate, zenphoto cannot "ignore" anything. It just does file system function calls. If the alias is being ignored, then it is by the file system.

Apache.
It's okay, I have found work arounds.
Mainly just moving the instance or directory I am using ZP in.

I do have another quick question.
How easy is it to set ZP to open the Full Photo in a New Window/Tab ie target="_blank" or new. etc.. rather than the same window then having to click back.

Modify you theme's image.php code. Look for fullimageurl() or the like. And also please read our theming tutorial.

I will read the tutorial, but as a warning, you may hear a LOT from me. I've only ever kinda written a bit of HTML before. And that was years ago. So I'm even rusty at that. Hope you guys have a lot of patience!

I'll look over the tutorial and HOPE it makes sence.

If not, I'll be bugging you guys about the that issue and another I see everywhere.
Making the thumbs crop properly for Landscape & Portrait.
I have the nightly build, it does do the thumbs like I want, but it places them ALL over the screen, not in a nice lined pattern, but like, everywhere.
See: http://ryan.fickfamily.ca/test/index.php?album=Me%2FThe+Collection

Okay, I found the section in image.php that you referred to, but I don't have the slightest clue as to what to do with it.

I'll read through the tutorial, hopefully it's noob friendly.

If you don't have a decent (x)html/css and a bit php knowledge I really recommend to learn about that before trying to modify or make your own theme.

At least we developers don't have the resources to help with general html/css/php issues. See also http://www.zenphoto.org/support/topic.php?id=3760

btw your site is not accessible at all.

I fixed the site problem.
Apparently during last nights power outage, my IP changed, thanx for the heads up.

Okay, if the Developers don't have time to teach the noobs, which is totally fair, they are busy and all, is there a forum or site that you are aware of that users of the program congregate and I can post my silly questions?

If not, you should create a new forum for user questions/support etc.

I'd hate to have installed PHP, MYSql to just move to another program for their support structure. I'd like to continue to use and support this program.
I really like this one so far, and it's just little things I'd like to learn how to change with the help of other users.

Again, thank you all for your help so far.

You can of course post your questions here so that other users can answer, too. I am sorry, I was apparently not clear. I refered just to us devs (well, and often we help nevertheless, depends on the question..:-)).

Then, I'll give it a bit of time and post a new topic tomorrow after I check out some themes.