Picture Services Beta FAQ

What is Picture Services?
Picture Services is a new feature that will help sellers include pictures in their listings and will also enable sellers to display their pictures in a slide show format. Picture Services will be integrated in the Sell Your Item form and sellers may include up to 2 pictures per listing for FREE, up to an additional 4 pictures for AU$0.75 cents, and a slide show for AU$1.50.

How much will it cost to use Picture Services?
The basic service, which allows users to include up to 2 pictures per listing, is free.

Other services will also be available to users to help enhance their listings, such as including additional pictures for AU$0.75 cents and displaying pictures in a slide show format for AU$1.50.

Other than the fees specified above, there are no other fees to use the Picture Services (e.g., no sign-up fees or monthly fees).

How does it work?
How do I use Picture Services?
During the beta, Pictures Services will be available in two categories: Antiques & Art and Pottery & Glass. If you click on the beta link, you will be taken to the Add Pictures page where you will be able to easily include pictures in your listing and even display them in a slide show.

Will I need to download anything if I choose to use Picture Services?
For IE 4.0 and above, you will be prompted with a download box with instructions on downloading the IPIX program. This is a one-time download and should take about a minute.

Why am I seeing a download box on eBay?
If you are on IE 4.0 and above, you will see a download box. This box allows you to download the program to use Picture Services.

How long does the download take?
The download is a one-step, one-time only process, and should take about a minute.

What if I don't download the necessary software?
In order to use the Picture Services, you must download the software.

How many times will I see the download box?
Once you download the program, you will not be prompted to download the program again. If you do not want to download the program, please be sure to decline any invites to download the program and set your preference to not see this page again.

How long will it take to upload a picture for hosting?
Average upload time for a 50KB picture on a 28.8 modem is typically about 30 seconds per picture. However, the actual upload time will vary depending on picture size, modem speed, and browser.

Why will my picture be resized?
If your picture is larger than 400h x 300 w pixels, your picture will automatically be resized to these dimensions. We have resized these pictures to provide the optimal browsing experience. Optimizing the file size of pictures help pages load more quickly.

How long will I be able to access my pictures?
Your pictures will be available for the duration of the listing and will also be available for at least 30 days after the listing has ended.

Do I need to sign another User Agreement to use Picture Services?
No. Picture Services will be integrated into the eBay Sell Your Item form and will be covered by eBay's User Agreement.

Do I have to use Picture Services?
No, you are not required to use Picture Services nor use pictures in your listing. If you do have a picture stored on your computer, we believe that you will find Picture Services helpful. However, this is an optional service and you can use other third party services to host your pictures if you wish.

Can I use my existing photo hosting service?
Yes, you can still continue to use your existing photo service. Continue to use Antiques & Art and Pottery & Glass links when you choose a category on the first page of the Sell Your Item process. Picture Services is just a new option we're offering to our users - something that we think will make the listing process better and easier. If you are interested in trying our Picture Services, please click on the beta link below Antiques & Art and Pottery & Glass.

Can I use my existing photo hosting solution and eBay's at the same time?
You can do so by including the url (website address) of your photo in the description field, as instructed in the description area of the Sell Your Item form.

What are some potential problems?
I am on IE 3.02 and am having problems with my Picture Services screen. How do I access Picture Services?
If you are on IE 3.02 and are having problems, you will need to install a MSIE patch.

Where can I find a list of issues that users have identified during the beta?

Who can use Picture Services?
For the beta, all sellers in Antiques & Art and Pottery & Glass will have the opportunity to try out our Picture Services. In order to use Picture Services, you'll need to have a picture already saved in your computer. If you do not have this, check out eBay's general photo tutorial at https://pages.ebay.com.au/help/basics/n-phototut-index.html

Your computer must be on one of these platforms in order to upload pictures:
• Windows 95, 98, 2000 or NT
• Macintosh

And at least one of these Web browsers:

For the PC
• Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher on Windows 95 and Windows NT
• Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher on Windows 95, 98, Windows NT and Windows 2000
• Netscape 3.0 or higher on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000
• AOL 4.0 or AOL 5.0

For the Macintosh
• Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher
• Netscape 4.0 or higher
• AOL 4.0 or higher

Your picture should also be saved in one of the following graphic file formats:
• GIF
• JPEG (recommended)
• BMP
• Animated GIF
• TIF, PNG and PCX

How will Picture Services impact the loading of the View Item pages?
We have worked on solutions with iPIX which we believe will yield little or no negative effect on the time it takes to load the View Item page. For example, the file size will often be optimized at the time the file is uploaded, which helps with download time. Listings that contain pictures inserted using Picture Services should load in about the same amount of time as eBay's other listings.

What is iPIX?
iPIX ("Internet Pictures Corporation") is the company we are working with to provide Picture Services to our sellers. To learn more about iPIX, please go to www.ipix.com