Aqua-Soft ForumsI usually compress and export my images to 640x480 so they are mebe a couple K so the free plan is VERY good 
New Photo Management Website
OK, that's great. In theory, I could fit around 1200 free accounts on the allocated server before I ran out of space, however, if I downed the free space to, say, 30mb, that would rise to almost 2000 free accounts... Obviously, this requires some people to pay for an account (I can't just provide a free service, as I need to cover costs).
I really agree with what you said there DoubleD. Maybe not even 6 months to be honest - I think if someone has not logged in for 3 or 4 months, then they could be considered to be no longer using the service.
Any I've updated the sample prices to reflect your comments re the structure not making sense
Bearing Terms and Conditions in mind, is there anything else which needs to be considered? - I know from other sites that people mentioned it's illegal to show a person's face on a photograph publically on the net if you don't have their consent - Maybe there should be a box to tick when uploading an image of someone's face to note that they gave consent for it to be uploaded?
This is only a tiny thought - but maybe add a feature to email people a month before their account is due to expire, which is something I think people would appreciate.
I like the new pricing structure, balancing the 2 medium accounts is a good idea.
I don't know what to suggest with regards to peoples faces, I'll do a bit of research and see what options there are. I'm getting the feeling most people will just click any tick box necessary (I know I do sometimes).
The only concern i would have is... if i am paying for my account (even if i havent logged in) i really would not like my photos being deleted...
I think DD's idea is a pretty good one, mail them a month beforehand and then give them 2 -3 more warning emails, just like when a domain you own is about to expire...
@Dappleyard, yes, in some countries you could get prosecuted for posting images of a person without consent (like some arab countries). My suggestion is get them to agree on the terms that you are providing this service assuming that the people in the photos have in fact agreed upon them being there... Not a law expert, but some over here are, please chime in 
Looking promising, Dappleyard
Seph, I was only referring to the free accounts. If people are paying for the service then there is no issue with necessary webspace going to waste, and it would stay live until they cancel or stop paying for the service.
Hehe, well, it does make a truckload more of sense now 
I'd ban hotlinking actually. If you want people to view the images then make 'em link to the webpage, not the image.
I'd ban hotlinking actually. If you want people to view the images then make 'em link to the webpage, not the image.
Excellent point Ludge!
@Seph - I suppose my inital point did sound a bit ruthless - lol
In fact, just to further that point. I'd ban hotlinking for the free accounts only. Basically, if they're paying for it, then they can. Otherwise, no way!
OK - Some interesting points there...
I agree that a warning email should be sent out - probably only once though, if they are really using the service then they will take note and log in. Of course, for paid accounts the account would only be deleted if they failed to renew their photo hosting package. I don't think there is realistically any way to downgrade a package once a person has upgraded (how to choose which images to delete?)...
Banning hotlinking on free accounts sounds like an all round good idea - any ideas what the best way to go about this is? - Thanks
No ideas on the hotlinking, but as for downgrading the accounts, you might consider implementing a hit counter, and removing the images that have the least hits.
A wise idea - That sounds like a good plan (there was always going to be a hit counter showing the most popular images etc), but using it to downgrade is a good plan.
Well, I'm going to start implementing this soon - I'll keep you posted, and if anyone has any more requests/ideas, feel free to fire away - Now's the time to speak up!
Right - Had a change of thought on design ideas - Could I get people's opinion on this:
All done in CSS, and it's cross browser compatible - Still working on it though, adding content etc
Cheers Ludge - Any more opinions/comments?
Wow that is gorgeous, very very nice. Extremely professional.
The only suggestions I have:
Make the theme switcher a drop down box in the navigation area or something like that.
Make the Featured Gallery extend to where the theme Switcher box would be and only be as tall as the theme switcher area (so have the image on the left, text on right), then put the web stats under it or something like that. Or put the website stats in one of the areas on the right with all the other areas.
It looks great no doubt but too many content areas on one page gets a little busy and slightly confusing.
Cheers Flyakite - Will make those changes in the morning - I can see your point
Agree with flyakite.
Everything else is very nice!
However, I would change the default text in the username box to something else, or eliminate it entirely (You don't need to tell people to enter the details of their username )
Beatiful design, though. Do you do this design, or just the code?
-NC
actually I don't think the theme changer should be a drop down box. it should be little colored squares on the top right corner so you can click it w/o scrolling down.
Yeah, I agree with pwnz. Just PLEASE don't keep green as the default color...
Hmm, I like the green. It's quite a hard colour to design for and it's been done well. Also, I'd not rely on people pressing "enter" to login. Give 'em a login button too.
OK - I've tried to take into account some of your suggestions
a) I've simplified the boxes on the left, and moved some content to the right
The colour changer is now a selection of small boxes
c) I'm afraid the default is staying as green - I like it - However, that's what the colour changer is there for!
d) Will add a login button now
e) TO DO:
Make the rollover navigation correct in IE
Implement a real CSS switcher
Get to work on other pages, and making it all validate
I feel that you should drop the sign up from the front page. Just put some text next to the login, along with the usual "forgot your password - you muppet! I thought I told you to write it down - sigh" button.
Another idea is that if people can bookmark/tag their favorite images - then you could set that as the image that appears on the front page (currently people on grass), with some sort of random switcher every time they refresh......
Another thing that is concerning me is that the site is only 700px wide. I'm assuming you are going to be using a resize script to show the images and if they click the image it will pop up in a new window full size?
Apart from that - this is looking very good.
Another idea I just had - you could offer a referral scheme, so when you sign up you can say who recommended you, then if that person signs up for the full package - the referer gets another 5 meg? Just an incentive to get people signing up and spreading the word.