Flickr Assignment: lj 5

 Flickr Assignment

This week’s assignment introduces me to a brand-new element that can be used to transform my blog’s appearance – Flickr. So, what is Flickr exactly? Similar to Pinterest, Flickr is a popular image hosting and sharing website packed full of features that support the community with exploring and viewing other’s photos. It is a free service as the core, which means anyone can use this website and most of its features without paying a dime. That being said, users are also given an option to purchase additional services that will expand their storage with as little as $2 a month, making it one of the cheaper alternatives to most other hosting websites out there (CNET, 2008).

            The experience of using Flickr for a first-time user such as myself is fairly straightforward. The website is simple, the layout is easy to navigate, and it took me no time at all to learn about all the features and upgrade options that it has to offer. Through Flickr, users will be able to upload their photos, creating albums, applying tags, and sharing their collections with others. In addition to being an image hosting service, Flickr also allow users to embed their albums to a third-party blogging website, such as Google Blogger. The website has a built-in HTML generator that made the whole process a bit more streamlined and user-friendly.

            Just like any other image hosting website, any photo that is shared to Flickr can be accessed and viewed by other people. Which is why it is especially important for users to double check the contents before uploading in other to protect their privacy. Once a picture is on the internet, there is no guarantee that it will not end up in the hands of those with malicious intents. Fortunately, Flickr is actually a fairly well monitored website and will quickly delete or suspend accounts that violates its terms of service, which might also include images that can be deemed inappropriate or upsetting. That being said, it is always better to be on guarded and take precautions. Every photo posted online will come with a risk, some can be simply used for data collection purposes, but those that are taken with a smartphone may carry GPS tag that can reveal the user’s locations. Which is dangerous to say the least. 

 

Citation:

Lowensohn, J. (2008, June 23). Newbie's Guide to flickr. CNET. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/newbies-guide-to-flickr/