Smugmug?

[TexasShadow]

I've had it. :argh:
Using two free photo hosts (photobucket and webshots) has been frustrating on many levels. The ads are irritating as all heck, but I understand that's why the hosting is free. BUT it also takes a hoooooooooooooge long time to download and upload on my home satellite system.

I'm considering buying a smugmug account. I notice there are three purchase/service levels. I'm not a professional so I don't need the upper level, but ability to host vids would be nice. Maybe.

Any feedback/suggestions on merits of levels? or other?

[Squeaky]

I've got the basic, cheapest level of service and although I can't host videos, it does everything I need it to. I enjoy being able to organize my photo libraries easily (compared to Imageshack that is horrendous when it comes to finding something later) and not having a limit on file sizes.

I usually resize pictures before uploading them to make it faster, but I like having the option of putting the originals up there and knowing they're safely stored in cyberspace in case something happens to my files at home.

I assumed that I'd be forced to upgrade by now because of all the bandwidth used, but so far so good.

[Teeds]

I have the basic account as well.

I tried a couple of free services as well and it took that to appreciate the cost of SmugMug.

Baldy has a great product without a doubt.

[Desert Skies]

$25/year for a 10Gb PhotoBucket account here with no adds or issues. Am I missing something?:scratch:

[buck000]

I only have a couple of thousand images on my smugmug account, using their standard plan, but I'm quite happy with 'em. I love the minimalistic-looking, but quite powerful interface. :thumb:

[WoodButcher]

And if you use a Ipod touch or iPhone there is an app for accessing smugmug without needing to use the browser.

I'm debating about switching off photobucket myself. It's been okay and definitely better than some of the others I've had to deal with, but there are still things I don't like.

Only problem is what to do with all those old image links. I guess leaving photobucket active and just not to add anything new.

[TexasShadow]

Smugmug still using the $5 discount promotional codes?
Anyone got one? :trust:

[TexasShadow]

I'm debating about switching off photobucket myself. It's been okay and definitely better than some of the others I've had to deal with, but there are still things I don't like.

Only problem is what to do with all those old image links. I guess leaving photobucket active and just not to add anything new.I'll leave some of mine on the two free hosts, but may do some culling. That is, when I have free time, which is as rare these days as liquid gold.

[Tracker]

Is your satellite configured where you use satellite for download and dial-up for upload? I know in times past, that was they way they worked. If so, uploaded will always be painfully slow. File transfers are much more sensitive to latency and dropped packets versus normal web browsing.

[Tracker]

Ok, I went and dug around a little. HughesNet doesn't use dialup for uploads any more, but it is limited to 128Kbps. If you're uploading hi-res 3000x2000 pics, that are 2-3 Mbs a piece, it will take a while. Add congestion and latency on the hosting provider, and it'll be even slower.

from their website:
Upload speeds, which are capable of reaching 128Kbps, are typically 70Kbps to 80Kbps during peak hours.

[TexasShadow]

Is your satellite configured where you use satellite for download and dial-up for upload? I know in times past, that was they way they worked. If so, uploaded will always be painfully slow. File transfers are much more sensitive to latency and dropped packets versus normal web browsing.Satellite all the way. I have no land-line.
I know I need to upgrade the modem. The older one is no longer supported and the satellite coordinates are different. I might do that for a B-day present to myself.
Of course, when the owls sit on the dish, access gets reeeeally slow.

[TexasShadow]

Ok, I went and dug around a little. HughesNet doesn't use dialup for uploads any more, but it is limited to 128Kbps. If you're uploading hi-res 3000x2000 pics, that are 2-3 Mbs a piece, it will take a while. Add congestion and latency on the hosting provider, and it'll be even slower.I avoid uploading large files from home on my system. I cheat and transfer them to work computer via flash drive and upload at lightening speed ;) Still, downloading is extremely slow, too.

[buck000]

Smugmug still using the $5 discount promotional codes?
Anyone got one? :trust:

Sure, use Mcudyryar3iqa. ;)

[TexasShadow]

Sure, use Mcudyryar3iqa. ;)Awesome! Thanks.

[Squeaky]

Sure, use Mcudyryar3iqa. ;)

Ah, beat me to it. :doh:

[lobo10s]

I love smug mug, great features and I have had NO ISSUES EVER!

https://lonestarlobos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles

[klrno2]

Ah, beat me to it. :doh:

:lol2: Beat me too. I'm both a fan and a customer of Smugmug. Luv it!

[TexasShadow]

The fun (http://texasshadow.smugmug.com/) has begun. :trust:

I tested it by uploading a 7 mb pan to a new gallery. Took a few minutes but MUCH smoother and faster than the two free mess-laden host sites.

I think this will work well.

Thanks guys and gals.

[buck000]

The fun (http://texasshadow.smugmug.com/) has begun. :trust:



Very nice. I like your theme choice.

Enjoy. It's really one of the best sites I've experienced.

[poser]

after my trip to St. Martin for my sister's wedding I think I may get one of these accounts this week. I've got to put the 600 pics somewhere :lol2:
(though at least 20% of those will just end up getting deleated, I love digital photography)

[SparkyBlue]

I have a smugmug account, been trouble free and they seem to steadily improve. Their upload process is much improved, with lots of tools for the pictures and the gallery. I can recommend them.

[poser]

can you hot link/post the pics like a photobucket account?

[SparkyBlue]

can you hot link/post the pics like a photobucket account?

yes, you can even select the picture size for the the link depending on the need.

[X1Glider]

Advrider was the reason for me using Smugmug. Never had a single problem.

EVeryone should ditch Photobucket. I can't see your pics at work!;-)

[xtnomad]

I am a pro user with SmugMug and have made a few $$$$$ with them. The improvements they have made for the pro user have trickeleddown to the others using the service. Unless you want to go pro just get the other user accounts and you will enjoy lots of up time with little down time. I have had my complants but they are few and would only concern the pro user. One other thing would be check out the fourm they offer for comments from pros and others. Feed back from others can be useful on it's own.

Did I really say trickeleddown?:doh:

[STScott]

I also have the pro smugmug account and give it two thumbs up.

http://scottbromley.smugmug.com/

[Shaggy]

I have the standard account which is 39.95/yr. Had it for yyyyyeeaaaaars and not one problem... EVER.... of course now that I say that it will probably implode.

I also seem to remember that with the increase in price from 24.95 to 39.95 a year or so ago that they gave me the ability to host videos, but I dont use it for anything other than just pics. I have 6673 pics taking up 5.36GB of space.

http://jeffh.smugmug.com

Oh and almost forgot.... here is another coupon if someone wants to use it http://www.smugmug.com/?referrer=B6aHJQywSCFKc

[Larry_77084]

I have a smugmug account, the basic level unlimited storage, easy to use and there is an application the you can download, Link that you can download giving the ability to select the photos right click on the selections and hit "Send To Smugmug" and the photos are sent directly to them.
(http://www.shahine.com/garage/files/folders/sendtosmugmug/default.aspx)

[Mer]

LOVE SmugMug....we've been using them for several years and upgraded to the Pro level so we could upload our longer videos. It's SO much easier to use than some of the other photosharing places and it looks SO much nicer too. Easy to organize and find things...I can't say enough good things about them. If anyone needs a discount code let me know..

[poser]

I about to pull the trigger on a smug mug, photobucket is so bogged down with advertisements that its gets really slow

[Mer]

I about to pull the trigger on a smug mug, photobucket is so bogged down with advertisements that its gets really slow

Here's the coupon code for $5 off if you do join SmugMug.
A19YIvS1MsOPQ (enter it in the referred by field)

You'll love it!

[STScott]

I about to pull the trigger on a smug mug, photobucket is so bogged down with advertisements that its gets really slow

Ditch Photobucket as quick as you can and get your photos off of there...their "service agreement" is unreal!!!

http://www.photoattorney.com/


Scroll down to the January 24th entry

[dixonduke]

EVeryone should ditch Photobucket. I can't see your pics at work!;-)

+ A Bunch.

[poser]

Ditch Photobucket as quick as you can and get your photos off of there...their "service agreement" is unreal!!!

http://www.photoattorney.com/


Scroll down to the January 24th entry

well I don't put anything on photobucket that I'm that worried about others using, but still good to know

[ysr612]

I also have the pro smugmug account and give it two thumbs up.

http://scottbromley.smugmug.com/

I have a pro account got in early so it is 99 a year for me I have 121gigs on their disk. I don't try to sell pictures but have sold a few not near enough to pay for my account.

[OldTLSDoug]

If you want another option, I have Image Event, you can keep adding on storage in $20.00 chunks that you pay one time. Then it is always $25.00 a year. You can do video, pics, documents, and just about anything you want. Plus you can link all that and maintain privacy.

I currently have 3,706.54MB stored, Premium Package and Large 100MB File Support. So I can have around 6000 pics and have 4000 something now. It counts every 3 or so MB as a pic.

Here is a video (http://photos.imageevent.com/tlsdoug/bikeridesandtrackdays/lonestartrackday682007/Lone%20Star%20Track%20Day%20Doug%20and%20Tye%20Jun e%208%202007.wmv) and below are a couple of pics. I can upload at 2 MB/S and down at 15MB/S. So it is fast for me. The video is only 240 X 320, but if I could shoot higher quality I could upload it.

Click picture for a big 'un

http://photos.imageevent.com/tlsdoug/bikeridesandtrackdays/elitetrackday/websize/_MG_5577.JPG (http://photos.imageevent.com/tlsdoug/bikeridesandtrackdays/elitetrackday/huge/_MG_5577.JPG)

http://photos.imageevent.com/tlsdoug/bikeridesandtrackdays/elitetrackday/websize/_MG_4787.JPG (http://photos.imageevent.com/tlsdoug/bikeridesandtrackdays/elitetrackday/huge/_MG_4250.JPG)

[M38A1]

My turn for smugmug.... Bit the bullet today for the free 14 day trial. My questions have been I have a website I pay for so why not host them there? Then I decided the presentation of SmugMug was so much better as was the organizational capabilities, so I just had to do it. I'll be keeping photobucket for my 'trash pic' links that get posted for simple stuff I don't care about much, but smugmug will be getting all my 'good stuff'.

Oh, and I used SparkyPhotog's coupon!

[Tracker]

smugmug rocks :dude:
I should have done this years ago

a coupon if you're interested: Txn9KYvqaw1EY

[poser]

so far I love smugmug!

is there a way to organize the main page with menus?
for example I would like a motorcycle menu, and then inside have the different galleries, and then a youth group menu and inside othe menus for events with galleries inside those. am I explaining that right?

[TexasShadow]

Photos can be organized into galleries and/or categories and subcategories.

Try them and play around with them to see what fits your plans.

[Squeaky]

Yup, you pick main topics and it creates CATEGORIES and SUB CATEGORIES that filter down to the galleries themselves.

Take a look at mine for example http://squeaky.smugmug.com

Motorcycles
:tab Day Rides
:tab :tab [each ride]
:tab Weekend Rides
:tab :tab [each weekend event]
:tab Track Days
:tab :tab [each track day]

Family
:tab Sibling 1
:tab Sibling 2

etc.

[poser]

Yup, you pick main topics and it creates CATEGORIES and SUB CATEGORIES that filter down to the galleries themselves.

Take a look at mine for example http://squeaky.smugmug.com

Motorcycles
:tab Day Rides
:tab :tab [each ride]
:tab Weekend Rides
:tab :tab [each weekend event]
:tab Track Days
:tab :tab [each track day]

Family
:tab Sibling 1
:tab Sibling 2

etc.

that's exactly what I'm trying to get mine to look like

[poser]

I'm trying to get galleries that I already have in there to fall into that style, do I have to deleat them and start over?

[poser]

Grrr... my main page still has all the galleries on it, even though I've selected catagories and subcatagories for them.

any thoughts?
is there a box I have to check or a setting I'm not using?

[poser]

HA! figured it out, I wasn't selecting "display:catagories"

[Squeaky]

I can't help you with any of that while I'm here at work because they block the site but if you dig around you'll eventually find everything you need.

If you haven't already found it: You can select a photo in each album to "feature" and that makes it the default pic to show as the icon for that gallery. If you don't pick one, it'll just pick different ones at random each time it displays the icon for that gallery.

I also recently started using the "journal" display option for things I want to caption and explain as people look at the pictures instead of just having them sift through the pics themselves. Pretty neat.

[Tracker]

here's mine: photos.leavelles.net for another example.

[TexasShadow]

I recently tried their print service. Picked three photos for printing to 8x10 luster paper. They arrived yesterday and they turned out quite well. In retrospect, one of them may have been better printed on glossy for the shadow effect.

They are going down to Terlingua with me this weekend, destined for someone down there who has been generous with his hospitality. The views are from his little spot in the desert. I think he'll like them.

I'll probably use Smugmug's print service again.