- MySpace has an easy-to-use system for uploading and displaying pictures. After the user loads their pics onto MySpace's servers, each picture is given two different codes that link directly to the file. These codes are versatile and can be used all over the Internet on blogs, bulletin boards and other MySpace pages. With the 2008 expansion of its picture software, MySpace photos are just as portable and functional as ones hosted on any one of the popular picture-hosting websites.
- There are two different types of codes furnished by MySpace. Both link directly to the picture on the server, making it possible to access the image from other sites. The first code is a general URL that links directly to the picture itself. This code starts with "http://viewmorepics.myspace.com" and is followed by other information that includes the user ID number and picture identifying information. Often, the direct URL is useful for site avatars, blog postings and text links from other sites. The second code is what is known as an embed. The embed will actually load the entire picture, complete with ALT tag information. This is code that can be used when the whole image is desired rather than just a link back. With an embedded pic, the image will also become a link back to the profile.
- While MySpace has enhanced its picture capabilities, the site still hasn't created many of the more popular creative features that other sites now offer. For instance, there's still no way to group pics and create slideshows, necessitating uploads and membership elsewhere. MySpace is working to add new features all the time, but whether it will go the whole hog and offer different coding varieties is anyone's guess. Photobucket, created with photo sharing in mind, now offers about nine varieties of code, with various HTML markups and image sizes. MySpace may not venture quite that far, but they are attempting to grab some of the photo networking market.
- MySpace photo codes are included with every picture in every account unless the user specifies otherwise. Understandably, parent may not wish their children's images to be shared by others. There are also complaints of people stealing other people's snapshots for unauthorized use in their own profiles. To that end, MySpace does allow people to turn off photo sharing. Click on "My Account" on the upper left-hand corner of the screen. There will be a series of links at the top. Click on the fourth, "Privacy". The fourth option has a radio button that says "Allow users to share/email my photos." If the box is unchecked, the photo codes will be hidden from view, and users will not be able to share your pics. However, remember that people can right-click on images, load them onto their hard drives and share them that way. Hiding the pic codes is a good start, but it isn't foolproof.
- MySpace picture codes make it simple for people to share their memories with others. Because of these new codes, the user doesn't have to jump from MySpace to Photobucket (or another picture-sharing site) to send snapshots to friends. It's also a useful way to get people into your photo albums so that those special moments can be shared.
