DivShare, which launches today, is a super-simple file hosting solution ala ImageShack or Photobucket. Created by a two-man team, it allows you to upload any safe file type, create galleries and thumbnails and view all your uploads at the member dashboard. I hope they have some decent servers, since users receive free, unlimited hosting - the only catch (and it isn't even a catch) is that files expire if they aren't downloaded or viewed within 30 days. If you're posting to MySpace, hi5, Piczo or your blog, that probably won't be an issue.
Once you've uploaded your files, DivShare creates 3 things: a direct link, a thumbnail and a forum link. They also provide a Facebook Share button for your image link and the ability to insert that link into an AIM message. It's a simple, no frills service, and it's really impossible to tell at launch whether these things will succeed or not - what we do know is that these sites experience viral growth, since people host files on whichever service their friends use.
They've also added tagging for the first time, as well as a calendar and a way to discover related users. Only public images appear on profile pages, they say. What's more, profiles have RSS feeds and a neat voice messaging feature. It's worth noting that MySpace accounts for a fairly small proportion of the photos hosted with ImageShack - they're more popular on forums and they have massive global reach. ImageShack and Photobucket are probably the leaders because they've had years to establish themselves: DivShare is unlikely to get that kind of traction.
Disclosure: Photobucket is sponsoring the Social Networking Awards 2006.
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