Flickr by Adnan Abu Diab

Flickr is a photo sharing service, discussing and commenting on pictures which has tens of millions of users; it was developed by a couple from Vancouver; Caterina Fake a very popular American business woman and an entrepreneur and her co-founder spouse Stewart Butterfield, and then this brilliant idea was later acquired by Yahoo in 2005 for almost Thirty million dollars. Also, Ms. Fake ran the Yahoo Technology Department and resigned from yahoo in 2008. Flickr started virtually as an online game in 2002 when the couple formed their Ludicorp Company, an online gaming company in Vancouver. Caterina and her husband Mr. Butterfield created the Game Never-ending; an online game based on social interaction. But when they realized that the social interaction is very important then they changed their direction and this is how Flickr was born. The sense of community their game was supposed to produce was the reason for the successful of their new service; Flickr made Ms. Caterina one of the most influential One hundred lists in the world. According to Ms. Caterina the use of blogging online and surveys were the core tools of spreading flickr very quickly all over the web; this is a true example of E-business and how to be successful on marketing your business online and make money out of it. She says through blogging Eighty percent of people heard about Flickr. Also, through the Web 2.0 and collaborative elements Flickr has become a more productive and a fulfilling experience. Flickr was a success because Eighty percent of the pictures are public! Up to date, other websites don’t share this much of pictures publicly, and that is why some sites didn’t have the success Flickr has. The idea something public changed the whole idea of Flickr. People can see stuff that is going on all over the world, up to date, and share pictures about anything; you can also see how many people looked at the picture, or a movie or a particular document. It is all about sharing and communicating, and social freedom. There are people interested in fashion, or photographers where they can share ideas, information, comments on their work, or find clients online, the same applies on people interested in fashion. Flicker is financially very profitable. Like any other social website, you need to open up an account and build a basic profile. You can also upload pictures and share pictures with the people you like, or family members that you would like to share with them your graduation pictures. If you need for example to print a picture on a canvas you have to upgrade your account and pay $24.95 you can print your pictures, and make a very creative calendar where you can put your family pictures on it, and also through advertising Flicker makes millions of dollars. Finally, I’ve noticed that Ms. Caterina has a BA in English language! Not a software engineer. You don’t need to be computer scientist to come up with an idea like Flickr. A creative idea, the right timing and usage of Web 2.0 and collaborative efforts can be rewarding.

Echoing the optimism of early Nineties web culture. Available from:
. [16 November 2006]


Caterina Fake is an American businesswoman and entrepreneur. Available from
. [15 February 2010]