digital cameras old and new
AP

Digital cameras have come a long way since the 1975 Kodak prototype in this photo. In front is a current Kodak model.

Not long ago, sharing photos with distant family and friends didn't get much better than sending the occasional snapshot through the mail. Those days are no more. Once relegated to old shoeboxes, today's family albums are hip, fun, and accessible to just about anyone with a computer. On photo-sharing Web sites, you can upload pictures via your computer or cell phone; some even accept undeveloped film.

Many digital cameras today make this process easy. A cable connects your camera to a USB port on your computer, and many cameras come with photo processing software. Once you have the photos on your computer, you can go to your chosen photo-sharing site and "upload" (publish) them to the Internet.

Photo sharing sites will let you label photos and give caption information. Many will also automatically store information like the date the photo was taken and the kind of camera used. The differences between photo sharing sites comes in the ability to organize photos into albums, play them as slide shows, and order related products.

All sites are not created equal

As with most things in life, some of these sites are better than others. A few that offer free user accounts will delete your account if you don't purchase prints after a specified amount of time. Some don't restrict access to your photos, so anyone on the Web can "steal" them from your page. Others have technical issues that can make uploading photos difficult. The brief descriptions of popular sites below should help you decide which of these sites might be best for you.

  • SmugMug: Arguably the cream of the crop among photo sharing Web sites, SmugMug is fee-based. Unlike most sites, it has no banner ads or pop-ups. SmugMug allows unlimited photo storage and offers its customers backup DVDs of their photos, password-protected galleries, and their own URLs, so that family and friends can simply log on to a user's page. Best of all, SmugMug does not require those who simply want to view photos to register and create an account; viewing on the site is free. The quality of the site's prints also makes it a favorite of many professional photographers. Starting at $39.99 a year for a membership, SmugMug is worth the price for people who take their photography seriously.

  • Shutterfly: Another top choice among users, this site offers free photo storage and guarantees never to delete members' photos. Members can restrict access to their albums by specifying a user list and use Shutterfly's free editing and organizing software. The site also offers members helpful tips on how to take better pictures and get the most from their digital cameras. Prints ordered via the site are typically shipped in one business day. And, like SmugMug, Shutterfly does not require those who simply wish to view photos to create an account.

  • Snapfish: This Hewlett Packard site is likely the best known of the photo sharing sites; unlike most others, it allows you to post photos taken with traditional film. Although it is free, all users must create an account, and they can view albums by invitation only. You can pick up photo orders from Snapfish at any Walgreens store or receive them by mail. The site offers unlimited photo storage for members who make a purchase at least once every 365 days. For those who do not, Snapfish sends a warning email and then eliminates their account.

  • Flickr: This site offers members their own Web pages and options to restrict access to photos. You can also create specialized group pages that allow everyone who attends a given event -- such as a wedding or holiday party -- to view and share photos. Viewing is by email invitation only; Flickr automatically creates an account for those on your list. Flickr has a more substantial social-networking technology, allowing you to designate other users as "contacts" and easily keep up on the photos your contacts are posting. Flickr users can post comments and notes on one another's photos, and can order prints (U.S. only).

  • Kodak Easy Share Gallery: Formerly known as Ofoto, the Kodak Easy Share Gallery provides customers with free, secure accounts and allows members to upload photos from cell phones. Visitors must create an account to view photos; members get free use of photo editing and organizing software. Kodak's premium photo-sharing service ($24.99/year) includes a personal Web page. You can order prints to receive by mail or to pick up at any store that offers Kodak photo processing. Members who join the free portion of the site must make one purchase a year to receive unlimited photo storage. Those who do not make a yearly purchase will have their accounts deleted.

Post and view photos on Eons!

If you become an Eons member, you can also post and view photos in a number of locations on this site:

Posting your photos on Eons is a good way to meet other members with interests similar to yours. It is also a great way to show off your kids, grandkids, favorite hobbies -- and even yourself.