Smugmug or PBase or...

[stubbsy]

I've done a search and read some old(ish) threads discussing online image hosting. Up to now I've been using Pixspot, but am pushing their storage limits so I guess it's time to pay. I know from this and from just general browsing that some of you use smugmug & some pbase (and maybe some others)

Here are my options as I see them at present

• Smugmug
• PBase
• Set up & maintain at my ISP using something like J_Album

While using J_Album is a tempt as I can use my own style sheets (HTML, CSS etc isn't a problem for me) plus it's free, I'm limited by the 10MB of free web space which isn't much more than Pixspot. Smugmug looks nicer than Pbase and has unlimited image uploads so I'm tempted by Smugmug.

Before taking the plunge I'd be interested to hear from those of you who are using these services, what you like & don't like about the one you're using and what level of access you've paid for.

TIA

[the foto fanatic]

Peter
I can't comment on J-Album, 'cos Ive never heard of it before.

i did check out PBase and smugmug prior to settling on smugmug. This was mainly based around ease of navigation and appearance. I found I did not like the PBase interface at all.

I think I pay around $65.00 annually. I have never had a problem with uploading files, and arranging them is an absolute breeze.

You're welcome to view my pages at:
http://www.newms.smugmug.com/

[leek]

I'm a recent convert to smugmug and am very happy so far... I'm not in a position to compare with pbase, but if the truth be known, the reason that I went with smugmug at the time was that pbase was shut-down completely for maintenance for 12 hours when I tried to sign up...

I only signed up for the basic smugmug service and that seems to provide me with all I need for now...

It is very easy to upload images - you can drag and drop up to 100Mb at once onto the smugmug page.
It's also very easy to structure and order the galleries as you like them. In addition you can restrict access to particular galleries (e.g. for family only).

You can also customise the features available to users (e.g. can they access your originals, can they order prints etc.) for each gallery or set up templates that indicate your normal preferences...

I've only had occasion to use their support once and they were VERY helpful... Apparently they have a reputation for responding quickly to new feature requests etc.

HTH... I'm sure others will add more...

[ozimax]

Does anyone know if I can use my own domain name with Smugmug? (eg http://www.surfshotz.com) ? Might be interested in giving them a try, although not interested in their print prices, they seem too cheap etc.

Max

[the foto fanatic]

Yes, you can. The level I pay for allows use of your nickname in the url, but you'll notice that smugmug is still there also.

You might want to check on the next level up.

[stubbsy]

Does anyone know if I can use my own domain name with Smugmug? (eg http://www.surfshotz.com) ? Might be interested in giving them a try, although not interested in their print prices, they seem too cheap etc.

max

This is from the smugmug site - Using your own host name (the second part of the example) is only available at the top level (US$99.95) p.a.:

If you choose a nickname like Ansel that no one has claimed, you could be ansel.smugmug.com. But if you own ansel.com, you can use it for your smugmug galleries.

Example: http://www.moonriverphotography.com

[MCWB]

Peter, you also have another option: instead of your ISP's webspace, register a domain, grab some hosting, and use Gallery/Coppermine/whatever. This looks the most attractive to me in terms of flexibility, even though I have no clue about PHP.

[ozimax]

Do you think I would be obligated to use their print service? (Have read thru their website FAQs etc) If so, does anyone know if they print/post for Australia?)

$99 (USD I presume) doesn't seem too bad for a professional site if it's as good as it's made out to be.

Max

[HappyFotographer]

My web album is currently hosted by these people http://www.tigertech.net/ which gives me a "free" domain name. I pay monthly (less than $10/month AuUS), and have have never had any problems with them, infact, they are quiet good at getting in contact with me when needed. From memory I have 200mb storage with them, but you can get bigger plans.

I use J_Album, and if I can do it, anyone can!

I use pixspot if I want to show something quickly here, but for showcasing my images (so to speak) I would prefer to use the http://www.starlaughter.com site.

Cheers
Deb

[sheepie]

smugmug smugmug, and then if you're not sure, smugmug

[Killakoala]

 ATM i am using both Smugmug and my own hosted domain. My plan is to use Smugmug for D70Users stuff and my domain for, well, my photography website. Eventually i will let the smugmug account die when my subscription is up for renewal and just use my domain.

The domain is registered and hosted by http://www.godaddy.com and is quite cheap.

[sheepie]

The domain is registered and hosted by http://www.godaddy.com and is quite cheap.

GoDaddy - the Fox Superbowl killers! hehe

http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/superbowl05/landing.asp?isc=bpshdr002

[leek]

Does anyone know if I can use my own domain name with Smugmug? (eg http://www.surfshotz.com) ? Might be interested in giving them a try, although not interested in their print prices, they seem too cheap etc.

you get the nickname.smugmug.com url with the very basic level of package (which by the way is only $29.95 per year)... btw: If you do decide to sign up with smugmug contact one of the existing members beforehand and you can get $5 discount off your first year...

[tsanglabs]

Why don't you try http://www.Deviantart.com, it has a large number of visitors and it is also a great community.

[stubbsy]

ATM i am using both Smugmug and my own hosted domain. My plan is to use Smugmug for D70Users stuff and my domain for, well, my photography website. Eventually i will let the smugmug account die when my subscription is up for renewal and just use my domain.

Any particular reason why you are setting up your own website & ditching smugmug?

[Killakoala]

Any particular reason why you are setting up your own website & ditching smugmug?

Yep, once my website is up and running (i have a few tweaks to perform before uploading it all) i will be able to host everything from there, and i will ditch smugmug as there will be no need to give them money when i already have something more suitable to my needs, that i'm already paying for.

[stubbsy]

Any particular reason why you are setting up your own website & ditching smugmug?

Yep, once my website is up and running (i have a few tweaks to perform before uploading it all) i will be able to host everything from there, and i will ditch smugmug as there will be no need to give them money when i already have something more suitable to my needs, that i'm already paying for.

Steve

For the basic service from smugmug it's US$29.95 or $49.95 for the power user account. To register a .com domain at godaddy is $8.95 pa & their web hosting starts at $3.95 pm = $47.40 pa totalling to $56.35 so that's more than the first 2 levels at smugmug.

This leads me to think either there's something I'm missing (which is entirely possible) or there's some extra functionality you'll get from your own site that smugmug doesn't offer. I'd hate to make the wrong decision so can you elaborate on the benefits of your own site.

TIA

[goodrich62]

Just my .02 I use Smugmug and love it. I tried pBase and found it more difficult to administer and reorganize so after the demo period I let it drop.
Smumugs print service is also good and relitivly cheap. I live 2000 miles from the rest of my family. They can look through family pics of vacations get togethers and print what they want.
I resize my originals to 2M X 1.5M if not croped and they have gotten some realy good larger size prints.
I work on these bloddy things 40 to 60 hours a week the though of hosting my own site for fun makes me shudder.

[Killakoala]

Any particular reason why you are setting up your own website & ditching smugmug?

Yep, once my website is up and running (i have a few tweaks to perform before uploading it all) i will be able to host everything from there, and i will ditch smugmug as there will be no need to give them money when i already have something more suitable to my needs, that i'm already paying for.

Steve

For the basic service from smugmug it's US$29.95 or $49.95 for the power user account. To register a .com domain at godaddy is $8.95 pa & their web hosting starts at $3.95 pm = $47.40 pa totalling to $56.35 so that's more than the first 2 levels at smugmug.

This leads me to think either there's something I'm missing (which is entirely possible) or there's some extra functionality you'll get from your own site that smugmug doesn't offer. I'd hate to make the wrong decision so can you elaborate on the benefits of your own site.

TIA

This is why
http://www.stevekilburn.com/stevekilburnphotography/

[cyanide]

Steve - site looks good! This is very similar to what I hope to do... although so far have only registered the domain name, as a "place-holder".

When you mention tweaking the website.... how does the whole "making changes to your website" thing work? At a guess, I suppose you log in through the ISPs website interface, and this gives you control over your content/layout, allows you to upload etc? How have you found JAlbum to be to work with, and have you used other, similar software? What made you pick JAlbum?

I have been planning to use Gallery, as I have seen several lovely sites based on that software (darb.net comes to mind as one) - I really like the layout/interface. The functionality of being able to have passworded galleries is a "must" for me - just a personal preference. I do not know JAlbum very well - certainly not well enough to judge differences with Gallery.

I would love to hear other members' feedback on what ISPs are good for hosting such photo websites? (ie those who have such a thing, as opposed to the smugmug/pBase option). I am not looking to set up a commercial site, just a view-for-interest type one. I had heard that there were certain settings that the ISP had to have disabled, in order for Gallery to be able to run... not sure if it's the same for JAlbum.

I have to admit, since registering the domain a while ago, I am now at a bit of a loss on what to do next!! I guess just pick an ISP???

I am currently living overseas but will be moving back to Oz at the end of the year/Jan 2006... not sure if that makes any difference to what ISP I should choose. I'm quite happy to just use my worldisround.com account for the short term...

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[BBJ]

Bumping thread here, but i have now joined smugmug. Thanks stubbsy for that code and so on so now all i have to do when it is up and running when i work it all out will join up wif sheepie's. I just spent few hours uploading 1 folder and now realise i have to make my files smaller.
Also have to work it all out as just wanted to get some pics up but will work it out as i go, i got the Pro user as it suits my needs as them riders would be ripping there pics of. LOL But will at least they will be able to see all the pictures instead of a select few. I think the addy is bbj.smugmug.com for now.
Cheers
John

[stubbsy]

John

I think you'll find smugmug pretty easy to use and the online help is damn good. I had a look at some of your pics at http://www.bbj.smugmug.com and they're of your usual high standard.

One thing to think about is adding keywords to the pics eg you could put the meet or the club or the location or whatever then people interested in say shots for a particular club could search and find just those. Keywords are covered at this link http://www.smugmug.com/help/keywords-tags

I also notice you currently have printing disabled. As a pro user you could turn this on & set the print price. People who want prints can then do it online and smugmug will print & post the image and you'll receive the difference. Details at http://www.smugmug.com/help/print-pricing

[BBJ]

Thanks Peter, yes mate i havent had much of a look at it yet as still uploading and well wasn't sure about them printing as not sure if to add something later as in for prints to contact me direct via email as to cut out the middle man or what, but i will look into it. I wont be proofing all my other pics just the bike stuff and sports stuff mainly, and was going to make it like johnbonneyphotography.com but thought better not as i am not a bussines as such yet but they tell me i can change it later if i want to.

Will play a bit with it as soon as i get some pics up there, uploaded 200 meg already so yeh have learnt better make them smaller in quality.
what size ot quality do you save you pics at Peter?

[stubbsy]

what size ot quality do you save you pics at Peter?

John, I resize mine to fit 1024 x 768 using Nikon View (Tools/Copy & resize as jpg -> fit to new fixed frame size, move slider to 1024 x 768) When doing so I set to Excellent Quality. HTH

[BBJ]

Nikon View, dont think i have that, have capture and capture control which i dont use. Is Nikon view availabe?
Thanks

[stubbsy]

John

Nikon view 6.2.5 full install is here. Download is 35Mb You'll need to enter your camera serial number. It's an excellent program. Much better than Picture Project which comes with the D70

[BBJ]

Thanks mate will give that a go.
Cheers

[Killakoala]

Steve - site looks good! This is very similar to what I hope to do... although so far have only registered the domain name, as a "place-holder".

When you mention tweaking the website.... how does the whole "making changes to your website" thing work? At a guess, I suppose you log in through the ISPs website interface, and this gives you control over your content/layout, allows you to upload etc? How have you found JAlbum to be to work with, and have you used other, similar software? What made you pick JAlbum?

I have been planning to use Gallery, as I have seen several lovely sites based on that software (darb.net comes to mind as one) - I really like the layout/interface. The functionality of being able to have passworded galleries is a "must" for me - just a personal preference. I do not know JAlbum very well - certainly not well enough to judge differences with Gallery.

I would love to hear other members' feedback on what ISPs are good for hosting such photo websites? (ie those who have such a thing, as opposed to the smugmug/pBase option). I am not looking to set up a commercial site, just a view-for-interest type one. I had heard that there were certain settings that the ISP had to have disabled, in order for Gallery to be able to run... not sure if it's the same for JAlbum.

I have to admit, since registering the domain a while ago, I am now at a bit of a loss on what to do next!! I guess just pick an ISP???

I am currently living overseas but will be moving back to Oz at the end of the year/Jan 2006... not sure if that makes any difference to what ISP I should choose. I'm quite happy to just use my worldisround.com account for the short term...

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Strueth Cyanide, there's a few questions there.

'Tweaking the website' - Jalbum allows plenty of configuration options to play with. Once you are happy with the outcome and have tested it on your PC you upload to your domain. The smart upload option allows you to only upload files that have changed. I find the software quite easy to use and i am happy i found it.

[BBJ]

Well this is going to take some working out, trying to work out just how to change the main page to add some stuff other than the normal stuff, like a write up like you got Peter, is that done with the Bio setup??

[Hybrid]

Hi Steve,

Just noticed you have your e-mail address on your site and thought you might like to check this out: http://automaticlabs.com/products/enkoderform/ - it is a tool that lets you encode your e-mail address so that spam harvesters (the evil things that collect addresses for spam lists) can't get your address as easily... That should help reduce the amount of junk mail you get to that address. I learnt the hard way with my first site!

Also, someone asked the difference between JAlbum and Gallery... I haven't really used JAlbum but from what I understand it generates everything on your PC and then you upload a heap of files... Gallery is more dynamic - you install it and then you just upload your photos via the gallery admin and it handles the resizing needed to create thumbnails etc (much the same way that other sites like PBase work).

HTH,

Stephen

[stubbsy]

Well this is going to take some working out, trying to work out just how to change the main page to add some stuff other than the normal stuff, like a write up like you got Peter, is that done with the Bio setup??

John you're correct it's done in the Bio area. Took me a while to figure it out too.