Tips for Using ImageShack

Digital photo sharing Web sites are a great way to provide backups for the photos stored on your hard drive, to share photos with others through the Web, and to organize your photos. One of the most popular Web sites for digital photos is ImageShack. Here are some tips for making the most of using ImageShack.

• One of the best things about ImageShack is the ease with which you can link to your images for embedding in Web pages or IMs. ImageShack automatically generates the code required to embed your images, you simply have to copy and paste the code.

• You can use ImageShack without registering with the Web site, but free registration provides you with some benefits, such as tracking all images you've uploaded, the ability to delete and undelete your images, and the ability to resize images as you upload them, among other benefits.

• When resizing images on ImageShack, keep in mind that you must retain the same image ratio as with the original image. You also cannot "upsize" an image; in other words, the image cannot be made bigger than the original during the resizing process.

• You can upload images to ImageShack through e-mail, if you cannot to upload through the Web site. Send an e-mail message to "image@imageshack.us" with your registration code in the Subject line of the message. Attach the image file and send the message. After several seconds, you should receive a return e-mail message from ImageShack, containing the link to your uploaded image.

• If you find yourself wanting to upload screen shots on a regular basis, try downloading the ImageShack QuickShot software, which allows you to capture a screen shot and upload it to your ImageShack account by pressing one button.

• ImageShack can accept almost any type of image file, including SWF files, as long as the files are less than 1.5MB in size. Larger files will be downsized automatically.

• If you want to upload video, you must have the ImageShack toolbar installed. Video files are limited to 50MB.

• Finally, ImageShack does offer a monthly subscription service that provides a few extra features over its free service. The extra features include faster upload and download speeds, automatic image backups, premium customer support, and fewer image size limitations. However, I would not recommend paying for the service without first trying the free ImageShack service and knowing that you need the extra features.