Flickr as global photo archive

Just came across this Flickr initiative, The Commons, on their site. I remember there was a bit of buzz when it launched last year, then I forgot all about it.

In partnership with institutions like the Brooklyn Museum, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian and the Imperial War Museum, Flickr hosts their photographic collections (where copyright has expired); any Flickr member can tag or comment them, adding their own level of metadata and context in the process.

There are some truly impressive shots - these penguins are sooo funny - and, even taking into account the predictably juvenile comments of some users, it's a vital resource for saving our historical photos for future generations.

Ooh, and happy fifth birthday Flickr! You rule.

Project 365

I've finally got round to starting my own Project 365 on Flickr. For the uninitiated, the idea is you upload a photo every day for a year; it's kind of a photo diary of your everyday life.

I meant to start in January, but I forgot until about the 13th and I had too many holes in my photos to make it worthwhile. Then I meant to start on 1st February, but I only remembered yesterday so it's going to run from Feb 2nd instead. A bit random but nobody says it has to be organised!

So far no photos of Logan, something of a miracle...