I understand why it is necessary to reduce the space required for the site - to save server costs - but I do miss all the images in the pattern section
Sometimes I would like to take my copy of a pattern that catches my eye, but it I have to go off-site to see even a thumbnail, I'm less likely to take a follow the link. That's me, and I'm sure others follow every off-site link.
Perhaps a compromise could be made, something like reducing the maximum size of any posted image (perhaps even to thumbnail size) with the option to link to a larger off-site image. Then if you are interested, you cold follow the link off-site. Even that requires each poster to have set up an off-site location and some might be able to do that, for one reason or another.
As has been mentioned, I hope a solution can be found.
Jim