Google Wave

Some months ago I applied for a Google Wave account. I had read an article saying Google had created something which was intended to be what email ought to be if it were invented today (not some decades ago when I joined the computer industry). So that’s to be Google Wave - email for 2010.

Well, today my invite came through. I feel like the owner of the first phone must have felt. It’s great technology but I’ve got nobody to call. So instead I’ve been looking at the various tutorials Google have put on Youtube. I’m in part excited and confused. There’s been only one element I’ve completely understood - photo sharing.

For the vast majority of clients for whom we scan photos returning their images by post or courier is fine, but for some it’s urgent. For many our service is the first step on the way to doing something creative with their scans. In many cases that’s an online photo album.

For over a year we’ve been using drop.io - yes that’s actually a web address. There you can quickly create a website onto which you can upload a whole range of things, photos, text etc etc. We’ve used this with great success when people have wanted scans back quickly. What’s more, it is free.

Lately, and mainly in connection with our free photo scanning offering, I’ve looked into more powerful photo sharing functions. I looked at the sites offered by Kodak, Nikon, Flickr and others such as SmugMugs. For the mix of features 1Scan clients will need we decided to go with Zenfolio.

Back to Google Wave. One of the most impressive elements of their demos is the ability to share images in real time. As with any demo, it demonstrates well; how it goes in practice I don’t know. But I’m keen to try. So if you’re a Google Wave-r add me in - jeff.underwood@googlewave.com

Let’s Wave.

Zenfolio

For the last few weeks we've been working on a major enhancement of our services, and central to that is an online photo storage service called Zenfolio.

What we're planning is to deliver scanned images not just via CD or DVD as we do now but to put clients scans onto a secure website. This will deliver a longterm backup of your photo scans should the CD be lost or damaged, it will quickly and simply allow friends and relatives to view an online photo album containing those scanned photos.

Additionally this will facilitate easy access to a range of gifts customised with your photos - gifts such as mousemats, T-shirts, jigsaw puzzles. And there's also a wide range of standard prints, enlargements and canvas prints.

More soon.

Resolution for Photobooks

Earlier today we were asked what is the best resolution for a client wanting photos scanned for an online book printing service called Blurb.

Having checked their website they recommend a resolution up to 300 dpi. Our standard resolution is 600 dpi - what should we do?

Actually I think the service would be more than able to print from our 600 dpi scans, but the easier solution is to scan at 300 dpi. Problem solved. So, if you are using an external service and want 300 rather than 600 dpi, just let us know.