Tinypic

[Manfred M]

I assume that if you delete the image from Dropbox, it will also disappear from the forum??

All the forum software does is pull in the data that the link is directed to. The moment the data (image) disappears, there is nothing to link to, so no image to show.

[John 2]

Thanks Dan, Thanks Manfred. I had guessed that might be the case. So does that also mean that Tinypic has thousands of CiC images lodged on its hard drives that presumably we have no control over? If so, Dropbox begins to looks a bit more attractive.

[Mike Buckley]

So does that also mean that Tinypic has thousands of CiC images lodged on its hard drives that presumably we have no control over?

That depends on the kinds of control we want. TinyPic displays photos at its own website only to its registered members. (I am not a member of TinyPic and I concluded that they are not displayed there when after searching for my own images there none were returned.) TinyPic is still displaying images here at CiC that I posted in July 2012, which is just two months after I began participating at CiC, and they're still doing that for free. That's all of the control I'm looking for, so their control meets my needs.

I don't think we can ever know with 100% certainty that any particular method of displaying images here or storing images online anywhere will give us the control we want forever. That's because companies go out of business, discontinue their file-sharing capabilities, and change policies and prices.

[Manfred M]

Thanks Dan, Thanks Manfred. I had guessed that might be the case. So does that also mean that Tinypic has thousands of CiC images lodged on its hard drives that presumably we have no control over? If so, Dropbox begins to looks a bit more attractive.

Yes and no. Your control is limited to deleting the image. The other issue with TinyPix (other than the reliability issues) is that if a picture is not viewed for some period of time, it will be deleted by their system.

[Mike Buckley]

The other issue with TinyPix (other than the reliability issues) is that if a picture is not viewed for some period of time, it will be deleted by their system.

I've seen that mentioned here but there seems to be no evidence of it. I can seemingly display any images here that I've posted in the last five years. Perhaps its a myth that photos are being deleted from their system or that it's a policy of theirs that they aren't implementing. I've also never seen a copy of their policy stating that they will delete images, so I have to wonder if they actually have that policy.

[Merlin52]

Could this be fallout from PhotoBucket's attempt to charge exhorbitant rates where once it hosted for 'Free' ? - folks looking for alternative hosting and TinyPic servers struggling as a result ?

[John 2]

My concern was one of access by third parties using Tinypic. As for being able to delete images, if it works like Dropbox, it could be that images may still be mounted on their server after the source image has been deleted from CiC.

[Mike Buckley]

As far as I can tell, the only way to entirely alleviate concerns of third-party use of a server is to completely refrain from storing images on the Internet or the so-called Cloud. I agree that deleting a URL here at CiC provides no control whatsoever about deleting the image file from a server at TinyPic or anywhere.

[Dave Humphries]

As for being able to delete images, if it works like Dropbox, it could be that images may still be mounted on their server after the source image has been deleted from CiC.

Since the IMG tags at CiC (in posts) are only 'giving directions' to our browsers on where to go and look for the image file, if you remove the 'directions', the 'destination' (file) will still be there.

However, with DropBox, I believe you are administering files (and folders) they are hosting for us individually, so if we say 'delete it', they should comply. However, I also suspect they have some form of 'Undo', 'Roll back' or 'Recovery' option - and for that to be possible, it suggests they do not actually delete the file, albeit they remove any 'directions' they had in place to it, so that it looks like they deleted it. But then deleting files on your computer is very similar and at a deeper level, those servers at TinyPic, DropBox or wherever are all effectively just computers.

[John 2]

Precisely my point about the attraction of Dropbox Dave. I believe I have the option to clean out my files myself. There may well be a backup copy but I would think that albeit after a delay, the administrators will want to recover the capacity occupied by backups of deleted files.

[Mike Buckley]

You definitely have the option of deleting your files from Dropbox, though that's no different from all the other companies such as SmugMug, Zenfolio and the like that provide you as the administrator its file-sharing capabilities.

[Merlin52]

Just had a quick surf on over to TinyPic and here are a couple of items which may help the discussion.
[Didn't realise they are a subsidiary of Photobucket .. .]

TinyPic Terms of Service [Extract]
…….
6.1
TinyPic does not claim any ownership rights in the text, files, images, photos, video, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, applications, or any other materials (collectively, "Content") that you post on or through the TinyPic Services.
By displaying or publishing ("posting") any Content on or through the TinyPic Services, you hereby grant to TinyPic and other users a non-exclusive, fully paid and royalty-free, worldwide, limited license to use, modify, delete from, add to, publicly perform, publicly display, reproduce and translate such Content, including without limitation distributing part or all of the Site in any media formats through any media channels.
Content will be publicly available, and TinyPic and other Users may copy or display Content outside of the TinyPic Services through the quick link feature or through any other display mechanisms

TinyPic FAQ
Q: How long are images kept?
A: The images are kept until they have not been viewed for 90 days. After 90 days have elapsed, your image may be removed.
Q: How do I get an image removed?
A: If you have uploaded an image in error or need it removed, you can send us the link via the Contact Us page. Or you can simply mark it as offensive and it will be scheduled for deletion.
Q: What is the limit on image size?
A: Currently we limit based on file size. The images will be resized to a smaller size if they are too large. [sic]
Q: Can I make my images private?
A: Currently all images uploaded are public. If you would like better control over your images, we recommend using Photobucket. [Ha !! ]

Also, in terms of hosting our pics for display...
DB Plus £78.96 p.a for 1000Gb (~500,000 pics)
DB Free £0.00 " 2Gb (~1,000 pics)
Flickr £0.00 " 1000Gb

[John 2]

Thanks John. That's what I was afraid of. That sort of open ended (and free of charge) licence is a disgrace and effectively means that you have lost control of your images. Now I wonder what Dropbox terms say on the subject.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for that information, John.

Note that the FAQ says that after 90 days have elapsed, the image may be removed. They're still displaying my images that are five years old.

That sort of open ended (and free of charge) licence is a disgrace

I disagree. TinyPic is telling you that, as an example, you are giving it permission to display your images at CiC. Without that permission, there would be no basis for uploading to TinyPic and then providing a URL at CiC that points to TinyPic's server.

[Merlin52]

Yes, I think realistically any time you post an image on the web assume it is 'Public' and someone somewhere may use it - even lo-res images as on here. As for Dropbox, their Plus account gives you an option "..30 days to recover a deleted file.." , so I guess that is the time their "recycle bin" keeps any file for.
If you think about it, they couldnt realistically keep all the files and the deleted ones - just too expensive in storage volumes.

[John 2]

I disagree. TinyPic is telling you that, as an example, you are giving it permission to display your images at CiC. Without that permission, there would be no basis for uploading to TinyPic and then providing a URL to TinyPic's server.

That had occurred to me Mike but it is totally open ended. Quote:"....Royalty Free.........including without limitation distributing part or all of the Site in any media formats through any media channels." which includes newspapers, magazines, advertising....etc etc". The phrase "......modify, delete from, add to........." also may in addition undermine your copyright to prevent the use of your images for applications that are detrimental, or unsavoury etc.

[Mike Buckley]

Yes, I think realistically any time you post an image on the web assume it is 'Public' and someone somewhere may use it

Agreed. I tend to think the companies that own and operate the photo-sharing sites are the least likely of all companies and certainly individuals to use a photo without the photographer's explicit permission that is above and beyond the permission granted in the terms and conditions associated with using their services. That's because they risk all of their direct and indirect customers expressing their anger openly on the Internet, which has the potential for a huge public relations nightmare.

[John 2]

Yes, I think realistically any time you post an image on the web assume it is 'Public' and someone somewhere may use it - even lo-res images as on here. As for Dropbox, their Plus account gives you an option "..30 days to recover a deleted file.." , so I guess that is the time their "recycle bin" keeps any file for.
If you think about it, they couldnt realistically keep all the files and the deleted ones - just too expensive in storage volumes.

You're quite right John but that someone would be doing so illegally. The conditions included by Tinypic change that.

[John 2]

Agreed. I tend to think the companies that own and operate the photo-sharing sites are the least likely of all companies and certainly individuals to use a photo without the photographer's explicit permission that is above and beyond the permission granted in the terms and conditions associated with using their services. That's because they risk all of their direct and indirect customers expressing their anger openly on the Internet, which has the potential for a huge public relations nightmare.

I agree Mike but note the inclusion "............TinyPic and other users ...............". the other users may not have the same concerns. I don't believe for one minute that Tinypic has included that to enable a free for all. They are merely protecting their own backsides ..... but the effect could be the same.

[Mike Buckley]

I understand, John 2. It's a risk I'm willing to take as I consider it payment for otherwise free use of the service. All of my image files in the last few years include copyright information explaining that the files can be redistributed so long as they're not being used for commercial purposes. So, I'm not even trying to prevent people from using them for non-commercial purposes.