Fotki is a sharing, storing and product site with many added features for photo enthusiasts. Members create personal profiles for socializing and blogs are always active. Fotki is available in multiple languages, making it popular around the world. Searchable members and public galleries make this a great meeting place for organizations, venues and social cliques.
The new homepage released in May 2006 has fewer random photos displayed at once and is now displaying contest winners’ photos as features. While long-time members seem to be complaining about the lack of random selections, the site is focused and easier to navigate.
Fotki can link to video URLs from a handful of sites, like Youtube, Google Video and MySpace Video, but does not offer actual video storage at this time.
Co-branding and price setting helps out the pros.
If you are a digital imaging rookie, you may want to check out the glossary for descriptions of general features found on photo and video sites, and for some insight into basic industry terms.
[#Unique#]
Fotki is widely used for its social potential. Members can create personal profiles for others to reference, so finding friends and people with the same interests is fairly simple.
Easy “jump to” menu is always displayed.
Photo contests are big on this site, although the prizes are usually just upgraded memberships to Fotki.
Blogs and journals can be kept on your personal URL.
Homepage displays interesting elements, like 10 randomly selected photos that change with each refresh, “Most Visited Members,” “Most Active Members” and a member search for a unique approach to social networking. Fotki blog located right on the homepage is a fun forum for photo enthusiasts. It can also be a useful reference tool for pro market research. Pros have other benefits as well, like co-branding and custom pricing, with a only a 15% commission to Fotki. “My Statistics” allows you to monitor hits, visitors and activity.
Video can be added to your account from third-party hosts.
[#Membership#]
With free membership, you get to create a personal profile and homepage where you can store and share albums and have friends leave comments. The “My Journal” feature is used to write blogs, which can be set for public or private access. You also have access to all public galleries, blogs and your album statistics.
Premium Membership allows ad-free browsing, a larger email capacity, image hosting and unlimited storage space. With upgrade, you also have the ability to use Pro features like co-branding and photo selling. Only Premium membership allows you to download your original files should you lose them.
[#Drawbacks#]
Although Fotki offers printing services, it does not have a photo gift center.
Only Premium members can use the FTP to download files they have lost!
Fotki seems to encourage uploading the smaller version of photos to your albums, but is not practical for storage. If you save your photos on their server and need to reload them onto your hard drive at a later date, they will only be in low resolution if this option was initially selected.
[#Uploading#]
Uploading to Fotki is fast and easy. Batch or individual uploading is done to organized albums to which you can choose to upload small or large size photos, depending on what you will use them for.
Fotki offers multiple uploading options. The Java application is excellent with fast uploading at over 250 kb/sec, great organization and previews.
Upload Speed*
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*upload speed is analyzed using a T1 modem.
[#Storage#]
Everything is stored on the personal URL. Albums are organized into public or private albums and marked with tags and as much information as you like. Alongside albums, store blogs, journals, videos and the guestbook for visitor comments.
[#Products#]
Fotki does not offer photo gifts at this time.
[#Prints#]
Prints are available with or without cropping. The can be ordered in glossy or matte finishes in multiple sizes.
[#Privacy#]
Photos are uploaded into public or private albums. Public albums can be password and right-click disabled.
[#SiteNavigation#]
Fokti is easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. Full menus on every page, breadcrumbs and a useful “Go To” drop down list of functions allow you to jump to tasks quickly.
