What You Should Know About Online Photo Storage

SEATTLE - So you have a new digital camera and you're taking all sorts of pictures. Have you signed up with one of those free digital storage sites yet? They're a great way to backup your photos and share them with family and friends.

If so, you'd better make sure you know what you're required to do to keep your memories from being erased. According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, some photo sites are changing their rules to get rid of members who don't make them any money. Remember, digital storage isn't cheap.

Some sites will zap your shots if you don't buy something at least once a year; others will delete your pictures if you don't look at them for a couple of months. They want you coming back to the site to see all the ads.

AOL pictures can "deactivate" your account if you don't log on for 90 days. With Kodak's EasyShare Gallery and HP's Snapfish you need to buy something every year.

Remember, the membership rules on these sites can change at any time, so if you haven't read the terms and conditions in a while, better check.

In its March issue, PC World Magazine looks at five prominent online photo services to see which ones offered the best combination of high-quality prints, price and handy on-line tools. Read the Reviews at www.pcworld.com

For more information:

The downside of online photo storage