ImageShack
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|---|---|
| URL | http://www.imageshack.us |
| Commercial? | Yes |
| Type of site | Image Hosting Service |
| Registration | Optional |
| Available language(s) | English |
| Owner | ImageShack Corp. |
| Created by | Alexander Levin |
| Launched | November 2003 |
| Current status | Active |
ImageShack is an image hosting website on the Internet. ImageShack has a subscription service, but the majority of their revenue is produced from advertising related to their free image hosting.[1] The imageshack.us Alexa ranking as of September 25, 2007 is one of the top 40's.[2] According to Nielsen//NetRatings, ImageShack was the fourth fastest growing web brand in July, 2006.[3]
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[edit] Image hosting
The site debuted in November 2003 and has since grown greatly in popularity. The main page has a file selection field, where the user may select the image file to upload. The image file format must be either JPEG (JPG), PNG, GIF, TIFF (TIF), BMP, or SWF, and the file must be smaller than or equal to 5 megabytes. Uploaded BMP and TIFF (TIF) images are automatically converted to PNG format.
After the file is uploaded, the user is redirected to a page containing different versions of URLs to the uploaded image. These URLs are preformatted in a variety of HTML and Bulletin Board code snippets, which can be used to hotlink them on websites and message boards. These URLs are not listed publicly, therefore only the user and the people the user gives the URL to can know the file location. In mid-2008, Imageshack began 'hiding' the direct link to images, in an attempt to reduce the number of directly-linked images, as they provide no advertising revenue. After receiving feedback from users Imageshack discontinued 'hiding' the direct links and placed them on the top of the page.
Images are stored on ImageShack indefinitely unless the image or the user who uploaded it abuses the Terms of Service. The image will be rendered inaccessible if the image uses over 300 megabytes of bandwidth in a one-hour period. If the image in question is not accessed a single time in one year, they will remove it.
There is also a free registration service that gives the user the ability to see and delete their previously uploaded images.
In May 2006 it was reported that ImageShack serves 100,000 concurrent user requests during peak operation.[4]
[edit] Torrent service
ImageShack's torrent service, also known as Torrent Drive or ImageShack Drive,[5] offers server side torrent downloads through a web-based interface. Torrents are downloaded and automatically seeded by ImageShack servers, and kept for 30 days. Once finished, an HTTP download link is provided. It is provided for non-paying registered users, but limited to a quota that all such users combined can download, measured by the amount of use of the servers by paying users.[6][7] As of 28 October 2009, ImageShack stopped the free service for Torrent Drive. [8]
[edit] Hack by Anti-Sec
On July 10, 2009 at 7:34pm EST, the Anti-Sec movement compromised ImageShack's services.[9] Its goal is to eradicate publication of security exploits. The group had gained control of how images were being displayed. The result of the attack has been to redirect all ImageShack hosted images to an image detailing the manifesto of the movement. The message adds that “no images were harmed in the making of this … image”, implying that ImageShack images were not lost.
By July 10 at 9 pm PST, normal functionality had been restored. ImageShack claims that no user data or content was damaged or lost.[10] However, some users have reported images not being restored.[11]
[edit] Blocked by Colombian Government
As of 24 August 2009[update] Imageshack was blocked by the Colombian Government under their Internet Sano program. Apparently it was a false positive generated by the anti child pornography filters.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "DivShare Launches ImageShack Wannabe, ImageShack Launches Profiles". Mashable.com. http://mashable.com/2006/12/18/divshare-launches-imageshack-wannae-imageshack-launches-profiles/. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ "Related info for: imageshack.us". Alexa. http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=imageshack.us. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ "MySpace Tops List of Hottest Sites". I Media Connection. http://www.imediaconnection.com/news/10801.asp. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ "ImageShack Simplifies Image Sharing". Bios Magazine. http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=3421. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ Imageshack main userpage, menu item
- ^ ImageShack - Torrent Index, Website notice received when quota is reached
- ^ "ImageShack FAQ". http://reg.imageshack.us.nyud.net/content.php?page=faq. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ "ImageShack Drive stopped the Free Service". http://forum.imageshack.us/forum/showthread.php?t=1508. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
- ^ "Slashdot IT Story | ImageShack Hacked, Security Groups Threatened". http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/07/11/1430249/ImageShack-Hacked-Security-Groups-Threatened. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- ^ "Your media is secure". http://news.imageshack.us/blog/?p=83. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ^ "slackercentral.com messageboard - ImageShack Hacked (I might have lost some images)". http://boards.slackercentral.com/showthread.php?t=115642#15. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
