DropBox or Instagram ?? Which would be the easiest for an old geezer like me to grasp - DropBox or Instagram for sharing photos ?? Currently, I am using Google Photos but when I create...

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

Which would be the easiest for an old geezer like me to grasp - DropBox or Instagram for sharing photos ??
Currently, I am using Google Photos but when I create the link, only about half of the images are visible. The rest are just gray squares. Now, the problem here is that Dell tech service thinks I have a corrupted OS and they are scheduled to help me do a re-install of Windows10. So that may solve the problem with my Google Photos albums not working.
But I am still considering either DropBox or Instagram for just photo sharing.
Thanks for any opinions, ~FiddleMaker

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

Before you allow them to progress on a reinstall, be sure you have all your documents & photos backed up to some kind of an external device. Dell, and others, are notorious for wiping out your data and giving you a "fresh" install to work from.

bejamin Loc: South Texas

I use dropbox and have really had great results with it. It just becomes another folder to store files.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

FiddleMaker wrote:

Which would be the easiest for an old geezer like ... (show quote)

Instagram is popular, but it limits the image size and it's a pain to use from a computer. I use a PC and an Android Emulator (BlueStacks) to upload stuff. If you use Lightroom there is a publishing app that accomplishes the same thing.

Dropbox is just a folder on your computer that is shared to their cloudserver. if you want to share a set of images with one or more people, you just put them into a subfolder in the dropox "Photos" folder, and right click on the folder name to copy a link to the images, then you can email that link to whomever you want. If you find yourself sharing a lot of images with a single person or a group - then you can invite them to get dropbox (and you get an extra 500mm of storage for free every time some signs up as a result of your invite), and then you can invite them to join a folder that you set aside for sharing images with them.

I use dropbox. I also have an instagram account but I rarely use it.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

TBerwick wrote:

Before you allow them to progress on a reinstall, be sure you have all your documents & photos backed up to some kind of an external device. Dell, and others, are notorious for wiping out your data and giving you a "fresh" install to work from.

Yes, I am well aware that I need to backup all my data files and some programs. I have one external hard drive just for Lightroom and all my photos. The other external hard drive is for everything else. I have already done this. The Dell technician told me that if I did not do a backup, everything would be lost. Dell confirmed that I have a corrupted Windows10 OS and that I need new copy. I keep getting these blue screens (blue screen of death it is called). My other option is to have the techies at the Microsoft store do the re-install but my computer would be gone for 3 days. Dell told me that they would walk me through the process - after I shelled out $170 for a 1-year warranty.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

For purposes of sharing your images, consider Flickr as well, particularly for plural images.

Flickr has a lot of features if you'll pay. But for free, you can post 1000 images and create albums and links for organization, if desired. You can work from either your phone or your computer, with the computer being easier, to upload and manage your images in Flickr. Contrast that to Instagram that is phone-oriented.

Dropbox is fine as an image dump, as in a large group of images in a folder with an expectation the recipient knows what to do to access and view the images. Both Instagram and Flickr are oriented toward display of your images, Instagram 1-at-a-time in a square format and Flickr in one or any number of images in view-only.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I vote for Dropbox

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

FiddleMaker wrote:

Which would be the easiest for an old geezer like ... (show quote)

I use https://wetransfer.com/ and it works great!
Very easy to use/versatile
Does not "dumb down your files
It sends full sized files directly to each individual directly
No downloads
It is free.
Smile,
Jimmy T Sends

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

CHG_CANON wrote:

For purposes of sharing your images, consider Flic... (show quote)

Well, I don't have a cell phone so Instagram is out. Also, I read that Instagram is owned or under the control of Facebook and I will not deal with Facebook in any way.
I do have a Flickr account but could never figure out how to set it up. I would have to hire someone to come to the house and set it up if I opt to go with Flickr. But I am leaning toward DropBox.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

mborn wrote:

I vote for Dropbox

Yes, either DropBox or Flickr. I have both but never could figure out how to wet up Flickr. I see a number of "Hoggers" use Flickr.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

google: how to load images to flickr

There are both text and video demonstrations in the page-1 results.

My attitude on Dropbox is questioning the technical sophistication of your target audience. You know them better than any of us. The goal of "sharing image" should include the end-result the images are viewed in a full-screen / high-resolution / visually attractive / fast-loading format. Pick your tool in a way your images are best presented with a tool that balances time, effort and cost on your side with those same issues of your audience.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I use https://wetransfer.com/ all you need is the persons email address and bingo, they will receive them. Give it a try.....only for sending photos and not for storage. Good luck.......

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

CHG_CANON wrote:

google: how to load images to flickr br br There ... (show quote)

For the most part my audience is not technically sophisticated, myself included. What I like about Google Photos is that I can create a subject specific album, then create a link and email the link to recipients. All they need to do is click on the link and they can view entire album with the arrow keys. I can no longer do this but perhaps I will be ablto to do this again after I re-install Windows10 as I am now having all sorts of problems with blue screen crashes.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

I find WeTransfer.com is easier than Dropbox and only use the free version.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

TBerwick wrote:

Before you allow them to progress on a reinstall, be sure you have all your documents & photos backed up to some kind of an external device. Dell, and others, are notorious for wiping out your data and giving you a "fresh" install to work from.

Absolutely!
Mark