Flickr has a new owner!

[PFMcFarland]

For those of you who use Flickr, you've probably seen the news that SmugMug has taken it off Verizon's hands for an undisclosed amount (they're so proud, they don't want you to know how much they got took for). But that will come out eventually, not that it really matters. PetaPixel seems to think it's a good deal for Flickr users, as SmugMug does not use sold advertising space to prop up the business. But what it could mean is no more free rides. Not that that bothers me, because I already pay for my account, though I can see the yearly amount going up on the next renewal. It depends on how SmugMug integrates the two systems, as I read that SM has fees from $4 to $40 depending on how many features you choose to have. With Flickr it was all in or not, and I was grandfathered in at $25 for my Pro account. It's a little late in the day, so I'll have to check out SM more some other time.

Here is the SmugMug home site if you want to find out for yourself (maybe switch from whatever service you are using now). https://www.smugmug.com/

PF

[Philip]

I too was grandfathered in with the Flickr Pro fee, and I wonder what changes this will bring. The new FAQ talks mostly in generalities and back-slaps but I guess it is early yet.

I never heard of SmugMug until its candied-doughnuts icon turned up on my Flickr page. I went looking for information and was struck by a lot of big photos that seemed to tell me little. I am a *little* worried by their interest in what they call "stories." I think that means "video" to a lot of people these days.

Time will tell.

[titrisol]

Eeeek
SmugMug is not bad, but it will probably be a loss

[PFMcFarland]

So far, if you read the SmugMug FAQ page, they are going to maintain Flickr as a separate entity for the immediate future, while slowly integrating the two systems together. Some folks with a Pro account have gotten an e-mail saying they will have to agree to the SM T.O.S., and move their photos over there by May 25th, or lose their photos. Alternatively, they can download all their photos, and close their Flickr account if they don't wish to join SmugMug. I have not gotten one of those e-mails yet, but I figure they are putting them out in batches so there isn't a big run on the servers. But then that means some folks are getting a head start on the process, while the rest of us will have less time to make up our minds.

PF

[Brazile]

I just got mine. Doesn't sound like things are changing much, if at all, for a while. Going to sit tight and see where it goes...

Robert

[alexvaras]

Now its time for new start'ups to show up after flickr starts changing things people dont like...

[jamesmck]

Some folks with a Pro account have gotten an e-mail saying they will have to agree to the SM T.O.S., and move their photos over there by May 25th, or lose their photos.PF

Are Pro subscribers being treated differently than lesser users?

[alexvaras]

They should since they paid for one kind of service that now it's going to be changed, free users have no choice, at some point we will asked for agree the new agreement, etc. PRO users need to do it before that deadline probably it's the date of the acquisition.
New way to say the old fashined "my way or highway".
These are my guessings, no need to be right.

[jamesmck]

Here is a quote from Smugmug's FAQ (I have made one sentence bold):
"As part of the acquisition, all Flickr accounts will eventually move to SmugMug’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Starting from the date when the service email was sent, you will have 30 days to either accept their Terms or opt out. If you do nothing in that time, your account will simply transition from the current Yahoo Terms of Service to SmugMug’s Terms. If you don’t want to make this change, you can delete your Flickr account from your Account Settings page. If you want to preserve a copy of your photos, be sure to download them from the Camera Roll first."

[PFMcFarland]

I finally got my e-mail too, and after reading it realized the person who posted his on the other forum left parts of it out, especially how everything would move if you do nothing, and opting out is what triggers the removal of your Flickr account after 30 days.

Now that I've seen the full text, the picture is much clearer. I haven't read the SM T.O.S. yet, but have heard they are somewhat conservative when it comes to nudity and such (basically they don't allow it), and that may drive some photographers off the service.

PF