SS Cn) pet POINTERS ON PICTURES Making Photo And Video Sharing A Breeze (NAPSA)—Chanees are, you or a relative received a digital or video camera this holiday season. Yet for all but the seasoned shutterbug, there remains a problem: After capturing all those great memories, how do you share them? Rather than letting them languish, you can take advantage of free online services that let you store and present your digital adventures. It’s certainly a better option than e-mailing huge video files or “fat” photos that can clog recipients’ in-boxes. But with so many services to choose from, there are manyfactors to consider: Save your money—Manyof today’s photo- and video-sharing Web sites are free. Look for a free site that is easy to join and use. Find out storage and retrieval restrictions. Show and tell—Discussing photos and videos often brings families closer and keeps people in touch. Find a site that can notify everyone in your “social network” when new photos or videos are being shared and also when people comment on them. Being notified of those comments is what facilitates discussions. Your social network includes your friends, family, and friends of friends— everyone you know and love. When the people you care about are regularly notified of each other’s new photos, videos and comments, fun, meaningful discussions are sureto follow. * Focus on convenience— Rather than use onesite to share photos and another to share videos, consider sites that support both, plus other kinds of content as well. The site should facilitate communication around your content and provide privacy. Addi- vw There are many free photo- and video-sharing sites, so it’s important to find the one that has the best features for you. tionally, look for services that let people order prints of their favorite photos. Know your audience—Posting digital content on public sites isn’t the best option if privacy is important. Consider sites that offer a place to share digital memories (weddings, baby’s first steps, family picnics) with a “virtual velvet rope” that restricts entry. For example, Multiply.com is a site that lets users share content with specific individuals, larger audiences such as your family or coworkers or even yourentire social network. You'll have peace of mind specifying who gets to see your digital collections, while barring strangers from gaining entry. By taking these factors into consideration, you’ll have a better understanding of exactly what online service best suits your needs. Soon, you'll be on your way to sharing your favorite digital collections and communicating with friends and family in a few easyclicks.
