OverviewGoogle provides photo management tools. Initially Google offered Picasa Web Albums, however when Google introduced Google+ (Google Plus) in summer 2011, with its embedded Photos support, and then Google Drive in the spring of 2012, photo options became more flexible...and confusing. Here's an attempt to clarify things.
First, Picasa Web Albums and Google Plus Photos are interconnected. Each Google Account has a single photo library, and Picasa Web Albums and Google Plus Photos are essentially providing two separate user interfaces into that common library. For example when you upload an album into Picasa Web, you will also see the album in Google+ Photos and vice versa. Navigating using the Google menu bar and selecting 'More' -> Photos will take you to Google+ Photos - if your account is signed up for Google+, otherwise it takes you to Picasa Web albums. I suspect in time Picasa Web Albums will be retired as Google Plus Photos replaces it, but hopefully not until all features have been ported. Key features:
Useful Links:
In addition to the cloud-based photo management service, Google also supplies some free computer applications to assist with photo management (these are completely optional and are not required):
ORG-specificThe organization (ORG) has deployed this service in the following specific manner to address our requirements. When you are creating albums that you would like to remain a part of the Activity, please create the album using one of the ORG's Google Apps Accounts (…@orgname.com). If an Activity is going to require a large amount of photo storage space (i.e. theater photos of cast and show), it may be necessary to create a new Google Apps account specifically to meet the photo needs of a show. Getting StartedPrerequisitesIf permissions for this service are restricted such that only specified individuals or groups can access the content, then you must have a Google Account and must be logged into the account to access the content. Refer to User Help -> Accounts for help with account options. Initial SetupNothing is required. However if you want to use one of Google's optional computer applications, follow these installation instructions. The author uses the iPhoto Plugiin. Google currently recommends that you install and use the program, Picasa, which is a photo management application available for Mac and Windows. Here are the steps to obtain and install this program:
Mac iPhoto Plug-in for Picasa Web AlbumsGoogle provided a Picasa Web Albums plug-in for iPhoto so you can export photo albums directly from iPhoto into PicasaWeb. Here are the steps to obtain and install this plug-in:
UsingViewing PhotosVisit either the Picasa Web Albums or Google Plus Photos sites to view your photos. View an Album shared with meWhen an album is shared with you, you may receive an email containing a URL link. Simply click on the link to go to Picasa Web Albums and view the album. (Confirm interactions with Google+) View all the Albums shared with mePicasa Web Albums has a page, http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/favorites, that displays all the albums which have been shared with you. Unfortunately as Google revised Picasa Web Albums interface concurrent with the introduction of Google+, this page no longer appears in the ordinary Picasa menus (hey, Google please fix this), but you can still access the info with this link. Upload PhotosUpload via browserThis is how to upload photos using a browser.
Upload from iPhoto using Plug-inExporting photos from Mac iPhoto up to Picasa Web Albums is quite simple once you've installed the plug-in. Follow these steps:
Upload using Picasa AppTBD Learn more about Picasa 3.9 at Google Help: Welcome to Picasa 3.9 - Picasa and Picasa Web Albums Help Sharing PhotosUploading photos doesn't automatically share them unless you add them to a folder that is already being shared with others. Before sharing them, you may want to adjust information such as the Album Name and Description and other annotations. Then, to share in Picasa Web Albums, there is an area to the right of the images that shows the current 'Share with' list and a 'Share' button to add more. Click on the share button and you'll see a dialog box. Fill in the list of email addresses (or Google Group address), or Google Plus Circles. Add your comment and check the 'Also send email to ...' checkbox. Note: Sharing photos or albums does NOT add them into a 'Shared with You' menu on the other person's Picasa Web Albums site. How to Share an Album to GroupRather than listing an individual user, enter the email address for the group. TBD - confirm, works and describe any side effects (there were a lot of product forum posts complaining about problems). How to Share an Album to PublicTBD How to Gather Photos from GroupIt's typical for all the participants of an activity to want to pool together their photos from an event put on by the Activity. Here's how to do it using Picasa Web Albums:
Note: An alternate approach may be available in Google Plus by using 'Events'. How to Publish Photos on a Google Site Photos that are present in Picasa Web Albums/Google Plus Photos are available for embedding into Google Sites. They can be embedded as individual photos or as slide shows. Please refer to the Manager Help -> Sites TBD page for specific instructions. Learn MoreHere are some links to Google Help and Learning for this service:
Additional Google Apps help and learning resources are listed on our Google Apps Help page. |
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