I happen to really like flickr, as anyone who reads this blog knows. But apparently there are some who are starting to hate flickr because of their policy on screenshots, specifically as it relates to screenshots from Second Life, according to an article in wired. In the article, Flickr co-founder Stewart Butterfield stated that uploading screenshots and illustrations is fine, but when more then half of a users photostream contains this kind of NIPSA content, the images will not show up in global search results. I think it would do flickr good to re-evaluate what its users are using the site for. If history is any indication, social and media sharing sites that have not done so run the risk of losing out to those who do (any one remember friendster). But letting your users go buck wild can also change the functionailty, relevance and integrity of the site's original mission, which many users may fully support.

I rarely search flickr as I am mostly interested in posting my own pictures and seeing what my friends have uploaded. But when I have searched flickr I have definitely been searching for photographs. But then again, what do I know.....