Flickr users mobilise against Microsoft

Posted on 5 Feb 2008 at 09:00

Flickr users are mobilising to protect the photo sharing site, should Microsoft succeed in acquiring Flickr's owner, Yahoo.

Opposition is focussed in the "MICROSOFT: KEEP YOUR EVlL GRUBBY HANDS OFF OF OUR FLICKR" group, which has spawned petition calling for Microsoft to "just leave Flickr alone" as well a rapidly growing collection of "protest images" and is typical of hardcore Flickr users' fierce objection to any kind of meddling.

There are a few voices raised in Microsoft's defence, but the overwhelming feeling is that if captures Yahoo, then that will mean the end of Flickr as the "last uncorrupted social networking internet site that was really fun & functional to use", in chrstphre's words.

Some are hoping that Apple will step in, a rumour based purely on one speculative article in on The Scotsman website.

Others are looking at alternatives, though the obvious one, Google's Picasa, is roundly dismissed. Other options include Zoto, SmugMug and Ipernity. But most users are hoping that they won't be needed.

"I only use Microsuck products when I absolutely have to," writes ashleysmith33. "Flickr is the only Yahoo service I really use, but I use it enough to not want it in Gate's hands to ruin. Picasa sucks, Zoto has a long way to go, and don't even get me started about Kodak Gallery. There is only one Flickr."

[image courtesy of Andrew the Photoshop Artist]

Author: Simon Aughton

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