Following along in my theme that you need to own “Homebase” I came across this story today. Major, major stumble from Flickr today—a Zurich-based photoblogger says Flickr deleted his account by mistake and lost his 4,000 photos. Not a total loss as he has copies on his hard drive but he did lose all his friend connections, his comments and all of his social capital in the network. His account wasn’t free either. Like me, he was a PRO member. What did the company have to say about the error? Unfortunately, I have mixed up the accounts and accidentally deleted yours. I am terribly sorry for this grave error and hope that this mistake can be reconciled. Here is what I can do from here: I can restore your account, although we will not be able to retrieve your photos. I know that there is a lot of history on your account-again, please accept my apology for my negligence. Once I restore your account, I will add four years of free Pro to make up for my error. Yeah thanks! I love the Flickr network and hope they have a better response coming than this. Coincidentally I have just over 4,000 pictures on the network myself. Me? I’d be more than a little upset if my pics were gone. I have backups, and things do happen, but what a pain. How safe do you feel about your stuff online?Flickr Accidentally Deletes a User’s 4,000 Photos and Can’t Get Them Back
Gateway Realty Corp of N.Y. - Mamaroneck, NY
Chirag Shah
Yeah, I'd really be upset too if I lose them. It's really important to have back-up.
Feb 08, 2011 06:41 PM
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years
That's an awful thing to happen. I'm not familiar with HomeBase, I'll check it out.
Feb 08, 2011 07:51 PM
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Leander, TX
Realtor, for Austin, TX and surrounding areas
You did do a back up automatically after learning this correct? I would be livid, but can't imagine Flickr doesn't have a backup system in place.
Feb 08, 2011 07:56 PM
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
That is just plain awful. I would be so upset. I'm glad they gave him some free membership, but somehow that doesn't quite make up for it.
Feb 08, 2011 08:42 PM
Bean Group | Brin Realty Associates - Amherst, NH
Amherst NH homes and Southern NH real estate
I have been thinking about this as it relates to the Green paper-less challenge...I will need to have info in more than one place for my comfort level!
Feb 08, 2011 09:15 PM
Help-U-Sell Realty Pro - Mililani, HI
Maureen
I backup everything onto a portable hard drive. I don't truly trust "the Cloud".
Feb 08, 2011 09:51 PM
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate
Maureen, #6, touched on my question.
Is this Flickr stumble a failure of "The Cloud?" It seems that Flickr should have ability to restore for at least a brief period of time.
I have 9000 photos on Flickr. It would hurt. I am looking at other alternatives for backing up photos, because one click could make all 9000 go away.
Feb 08, 2011 10:26 PM
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate
If he's not a candidate for lifetime free Pro service, I don't know who is.
Feb 08, 2011 10:33 PM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer
I archive photos of properties I no longer manage on jump/travel drives and keep the last 3 years of photos on my hard drive. I DELETE NOTHING I may reuse.
I found a floor plan of a condo that is 7 years old for a new unit I will take for management at the end of the month....UPLOADING is fine - saving locally is BETTER
Feb 08, 2011 10:38 PM
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
Keller Williams Real Estate - Montgomeryville - Lansdale, PA
Hi Mike,
We keep everything on an external hard drive, but I would be so upset to lose those pictures. Glad you have backups, but that is a pain like you said.
Lisa
Feb 08, 2011 11:48 PM
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes
I learned a long time ago to back things up and write my content elsewhere before publishing it but what a pain in the butt. It will be interesting to see if flicker has anything more to say about it.
Feb 09, 2011 12:10 AM
ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA
'Helping You Make the Best Move"
OMG Mike!
I wouldn't be too happy!
I'm sure there are many others that feel the same way.
Feb 09, 2011 12:10 AM
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Yikes, it would seem Flickr would have a backup they could go and pull from. How upsetting, I know I would be.
Feb 09, 2011 02:41 AM
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate
That is terrible, I had a bit on there too, although not quite as much. I also can't believe they don't have a back up.
Feb 09, 2011 04:29 PM
www.GoSimplyTexas.com - McKinney, TX
Simply Texas Real Estate - Broker/Owner
EEK! For such a large company I can't believe there's no back up either! As a new user of Dropbox I'm going to be putting more of my stuff out there to insure it's not lost. Thanks for the reminder that these kind of BIG mistakes can and DO happen.
Feb 10, 2011 07:43 AM
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