Difference between revisions of "Imgur"
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| − | '''Imgur''' is a free [[Emerging Media|emerging media]] photo-sharing website used to share pictures with friends and also for posting images on message boards and blogs. It was founded and launched by Alan Schaaf | + | '''Imgur''' is a free [[Emerging Media|emerging media]] photo-sharing website used to share pictures with friends and also for posting images on message boards and blogs. It was founded and launched by Alan Schaaf in February of 2009. Imgur provides an anonymous uploading feature similar to [[Reddit]] and Digg. The only information that is stored from these anonymous uploads is the user's IP address, for legal reasons. Users are also provided with the opportunity to request the removal of copyrighted material, harassment, spam, gore, [[pornography]], or anything that resembles pornography.<ref>Imgur Site: Removal Request www.imgur.com/removalrequest </ref> The unofficial mascot for Imgur is the imguraffe, which combines the words Imgur and giraffe.<ref>Imguraffe http://imgur.com/blog/2012/03/31/introducing-the-imguraffe/ </ref> |
[[File:imgur.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Imgur, a simple image sharer.]] | [[File:imgur.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Imgur, a simple image sharer.]] | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
| − | Imgur was launched | + | Imgur was launched on February 23, 2009 by Alan Schaaf, an undergraduate student from Ohio University. Because he was unimpressed by [[Reddit]]Schaaf created Imgur, giving it a simple interface with unique image uploading and editing characteristics to counter "bloated, confusing and annoying" interface designs elsewhere on the web.<ref> reddit.com: My Gift to Reddit: I created an image hosting service that doesn't suck. What do you think?</ref> |
| − | Imgur is used to | + | Imgur is used to share jokes, ideas, and images. Many websites, such as [[Reddit]], use Imgur as their primary image hosting website; it is widely known among Reddit users as the standard for image sharing. Imgur has also overtaken other hosting sites, such as Tinypic, on a variety of social networking sites<ref> Interview with Alan Schaaf by DomainShane.com</ref> |
== Usage and Statistics == | == Usage and Statistics == | ||
| − | + | Imgur currently has an average of 15,000 views per hour, with an average of over 360,000 images uploaded per day.<ref>www.imgur.com/stats</ref> | |
[[File:imguraffe.jpg|100px|thumb|right]] | [[File:imguraffe.jpg|100px|thumb|right]] | ||
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== News == | == News == | ||
| + | It has been reported that Irish arm of telecom has begun to censor Imgur along with other social networking sites like [[Reddit]] because of a lack of accountability and [[Information Transparency|transparency]]. A three strikes policy, requiring only accusations, has been implemented. <ref>[http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/o2-ireland-begins-web-censoring/07731 MCVUK: O2 Ireland begins web censoring] </ref> | ||
| − | + | Many websites and message boards prohibit the use of Imgur links due to their allegiance to other image hosting/sharing websites. These prohibitions are not usually due to the content that is displayed on Imgur, as most offensive images are removed. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | Many websites and message boards prohibit the use of Imgur links due to their allegiance to other image hosting/sharing websites. | + | |
==Ethical Implications== | ==Ethical Implications== | ||
| − | + | ===Strike Policy=== | |
| + | The strike policy on Imgur also contains ethical implications. Users are issued strikes for any accusations against them, whether the image posted is inappropriate or not. This allows users to accuse others simply for the sake of [[Griefing|griefing]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Copyright=== | ||
| + | Copyright issues are another ethical concern, as there is the potential for copyrighted material to be uploaded by unauthorized parties. Although the website has policies and technology to help remove copyrighted material, with over 360,000 images uploaded daily, it is easy for some copyrighted material to slip through the cracks. Contributing to this problem is the fact that many images found on Imgur can also be found elsewhere on the web without proper credit. Imgur requests that users not upload pictures that they know are copyrighted, however this policy is widely abused as people often share images and pictures on the internet that are not their own. Imgur does explicitly state what violations of Intellectual Property are and guidelines on claimed copyright infringement.<ref>http://imgur.com/tos</ref> | ||
| − | + | ===Anonymity=== | |
| + | Because Imgur allows users to contribute images anonymously, users feel a heightened sense of freedom and comfort, which can lead to the uploading inappropriate images. | ||
| − | == | + | ===Privacy=== |
| − | + | Privacy can also be an ethical concern, since images uploaded to Imgur can be shared. It is stated under the site's Terms of Service that "you can upload images anonymously and share them online with only the people you choose to share them with. If you make them publicly available, they may be featured in the gallery. This means that if you upload an image to share with your friend, only your friend will be able to access it online. However, if you share an image with [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], Digg, Reddit, etc, then it may end up in the gallery." <ref>Imgur Terms of Service| http://imgur.com/tos</ref> | |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 05:00, 7 December 2012
Imgur is a free emerging media photo-sharing website used to share pictures with friends and also for posting images on message boards and blogs. It was founded and launched by Alan Schaaf in February of 2009. Imgur provides an anonymous uploading feature similar to Reddit and Digg. The only information that is stored from these anonymous uploads is the user's IP address, for legal reasons. Users are also provided with the opportunity to request the removal of copyrighted material, harassment, spam, gore, pornography, or anything that resembles pornography.[1] The unofficial mascot for Imgur is the imguraffe, which combines the words Imgur and giraffe.[2]
Contents
History
Imgur was launched on February 23, 2009 by Alan Schaaf, an undergraduate student from Ohio University. Because he was unimpressed by RedditSchaaf created Imgur, giving it a simple interface with unique image uploading and editing characteristics to counter "bloated, confusing and annoying" interface designs elsewhere on the web.[3]
Imgur is used to share jokes, ideas, and images. Many websites, such as Reddit, use Imgur as their primary image hosting website; it is widely known among Reddit users as the standard for image sharing. Imgur has also overtaken other hosting sites, such as Tinypic, on a variety of social networking sites[4]
Usage and Statistics
Imgur currently has an average of 15,000 views per hour, with an average of over 360,000 images uploaded per day.[5]
| # | Per day | Per week | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Images uploaded | 773,244 | 4,965,114 | 23,343,059 |
| Image views | 978,466,914 | 6,469,541,225 | 36,221,749,871 |
| Average image size | 208.18 KB | 199.15 KB | 204.99 KB |
| Bandwidth used | 119.63 TB | 879.25 TB | 4.39 PB |
News
It has been reported that Irish arm of telecom has begun to censor Imgur along with other social networking sites like Reddit because of a lack of accountability and transparency. A three strikes policy, requiring only accusations, has been implemented. [7]
Many websites and message boards prohibit the use of Imgur links due to their allegiance to other image hosting/sharing websites. These prohibitions are not usually due to the content that is displayed on Imgur, as most offensive images are removed.
Ethical Implications
Strike Policy
The strike policy on Imgur also contains ethical implications. Users are issued strikes for any accusations against them, whether the image posted is inappropriate or not. This allows users to accuse others simply for the sake of griefing.
Copyright
Copyright issues are another ethical concern, as there is the potential for copyrighted material to be uploaded by unauthorized parties. Although the website has policies and technology to help remove copyrighted material, with over 360,000 images uploaded daily, it is easy for some copyrighted material to slip through the cracks. Contributing to this problem is the fact that many images found on Imgur can also be found elsewhere on the web without proper credit. Imgur requests that users not upload pictures that they know are copyrighted, however this policy is widely abused as people often share images and pictures on the internet that are not their own. Imgur does explicitly state what violations of Intellectual Property are and guidelines on claimed copyright infringement.[8]
Anonymity
Because Imgur allows users to contribute images anonymously, users feel a heightened sense of freedom and comfort, which can lead to the uploading inappropriate images.
Privacy
Privacy can also be an ethical concern, since images uploaded to Imgur can be shared. It is stated under the site's Terms of Service that "you can upload images anonymously and share them online with only the people you choose to share them with. If you make them publicly available, they may be featured in the gallery. This means that if you upload an image to share with your friend, only your friend will be able to access it online. However, if you share an image with Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Reddit, etc, then it may end up in the gallery." [9]
References
- ↑ Imgur Site: Removal Request www.imgur.com/removalrequest
- ↑ Imguraffe http://imgur.com/blog/2012/03/31/introducing-the-imguraffe/
- ↑ reddit.com: My Gift to Reddit: I created an image hosting service that doesn't suck. What do you think?
- ↑ Interview with Alan Schaaf by DomainShane.com
- ↑ www.imgur.com/stats
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imgur Imgur Wiki Page
- ↑ MCVUK: O2 Ireland begins web censoring
- ↑ http://imgur.com/tos
- ↑ Imgur Terms of Service| http://imgur.com/tos
