Pbase is comparable to Photobucket, but with a membership fee and less file support. Pbase offers a pricing structure that allows storage to be added to an account in increments, but why pay when Photobucket is free? Two reasons: first, Pbase is an actual photo community with public galleries, active forums and unique features like Photo-A-Day and linked galleries. Second, personal albums, called galleries on this site, can be customized with color and other layout specifications, even style sheets. Other features that differentiate this site are listed below.
Comprehensive information can be added to each photo, such as time, date, equipment, descriptions, etc. This can be an advantage to a photo enthusiast, but overkill for the average user.
The help section is searchable and user-friendly with all vital elements, such as account explanations, technical information, tutorials and more.
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#]
Favorite artists can be saved.
Galleries can link to one another.
Guestbook & Guest Comments
Album statistics page and click counter
User groups
Style sheets can be applied to personal galleries.
Pbase Magazine available free in pdf format.
[#Membership#]
Basic membership allows 400MB of storage. More space can be added in increments. Free trial membership includes only 10MB of storage and no posting. Once accounts are paid and activated, all features become available. Photos are arranged in customized albums, shared in public galleries or private emails, posted to other sites. Bandwidth only depends on storage space in the account. Personal URL is provided to display albums.
[#Drawbacks#]
No batch or drag-and-drop uploading
Can only create a new album/gallery from the homepage
Arranging photos can be cumbersome
Video and audio files are not supported
[#Uploading#]
Uploading can only be accomplished by browsing for individual files. Upload progress is not shown until completed.
Upload Speed*
Very
Fast
Fast
Average
Slow
*upload speed is analyzed using a T1 modem.
[#Storage#]
When albums are created, all settings can be defined at initial album setup. Albums are arranged according to user specifications
[#Products#]
Not available.
[#Prints#]
Not available.
[#Sharing#]
Photos are automatically entered into galleries unless the checkbox is cleared in the album settings.
[#Privacy#]
Add passwords to albums or allow them to be shard with the public. Copyright statements can be added to any photo or album.
[#SiteNavigation#]
Menus are not on every page. You have to return to the homepage often to navigate around the site. Basic functions like uploading new photos or finding public galleries take multiple clicks from the album view. Arranging and editing albums is a heavy task as well.
