Hmm,
I think there are pros and cons for different services, depending on the special needs of the customer.
a) someone who just wants to share a few shots on the web would be happy with a sort of combination between Flickr's online storage and an online photo editor that can be used from an internet cafe to just get rid of the occasional red eye.
I somehow think that working with layers on high-res files on a truly web based system might be quite resource intensive. So the respective service would need lots of computer power if many users are accessing it.
Still this looks temptingly useful, especially for travellers. No need for a notebook. Upload, modify and share the pics directly from your camera. Of course than you are at the mercy of the service unless you regularly backup your pictures on your own system.
I somehow think that working with layers on high-res files on a truly web based system might be quite resource intensive. So the respective service would need lots of computer power if many users are accessing it.
Still this looks temptingly useful, especially for travellers. No need for a notebook. Upload, modify and share the pics directly from your camera. Of course than you are at the mercy of the service unless you regularly backup your pictures on your own system.
b) someone who might like to work more professionally from his/her own computer may still appreciate not having to pay the full price for a product used only occasionally. So "renting" it (or getting it for free looking at the ads paying for the service) on the web may be a viable alternative.
With the programme on the remote host and the data on the personal computer, I'd predict huge performance issues unless large parts of the programme are actually downloaded to the local system.
Just imagine- a complete PS as (for example) Java applet... Guess you have to seriously strip down the features if you want this to work.
Just imagine- a complete PS as (for example) Java applet... Guess you have to seriously strip down the features if you want this to work.
c) the traditional way: buy the software, install it on your system. You avoid all problems with sending data to a host and your data are as secure as your computer is (when did you last backup your files on a different medium or a HD not connected to the net?). I guess for really professional use this still is the best option.
PS speaking of security: If anybody in this group is using Wordpress 2.1.1 on their site, I'd recommend to stop reading this and install the critical update. This version was cracked...
2007/3/3, Emily L. Ferguson <elf@xxxxxxxx>:
I'm with you Bob. I don't want any more of that material out there
and hackable than I can possibly have. The absolute minimum.
At some point people have to weigh the value of convenience against
the value of their privacy. I wonder whether the majority will ever
figure that out.
--
Emily L. Ferguson
mailto: elf@xxxxxxxx
508-563-6822
New England landscapes, wooden boats and races
http://www.vsu.cape.com/~elf/
http://e-and-s.instaproofs.com/
