Anyone else HATE 'Smile', the new version of 'webshots'?

Question

Webshots is forcing the user to update to something called 'Smile' which doesn't have many of the options for which I downloaded webshots. Can anyone recommend an alternative?

Answer 1

I really hate 'Smile' too. At first, I tried to reload my Webshots desktop back on my computer, but it wouldn't let me reinstall it. So, I searched and found a program that converts Webshots pictures to regular .jpeg pictures. It works with all the pictures you have downloaded from Webshots.



Step 1. Download FREE program Ultimate Webshots Converter

http://sourceforge.net/projects/uwc/files/



Step 2. Locate the file Webshots Data (usually under Documents and Settings or in the Program Files)



Step 3. Open the program



Step 4. To convert just one file, go to File Open and select the .wb1 file you want to convert. Click Open. It will open the one file with save options at the bottom of the picture.



Step 5. To convert an entire Webshots album, go to Conversion and click Batch Conversion. Click on the + Folder button on the top right of the screen. Find the file path of the Webshots folder you want to batch convert. Highlight it and click okay. Repeat and choose as many folders as you want. When you are finished, choose your save settings on the lower left part of the screen, then click the Let's Convert! button and it will convert all the files from the folders you chose.



The .jpeg files can then still be used as desktop wallpapers via the conventional Windows or Mac method. I hope this helps everyone in our time of loss.



~J

Answer 2

Smile has a ton of bugs - I still haven't been able to change one picture on it - or download any. Where did all the pro shots go? Well, I've been looking for the last two days for an alternative to Smile and came up with Automatic Wallpaper Changer. It's a windows program that seems to work pretty well. Anything at this point is worth a try. I hate that they did this.

Answer 3

It needs a LOT of work, and some answers. For instance, it didn't mention that the Smile desktop was going up upload all my photos to the site from my desktop. Which photos? I can't determine, but I stopped it along the way. I have some photos that I don't want on a public site, some because they are personal, and others because they don't belong to me, and might cause copyright problems. Smile won't tell me just what they are getting, so I have unloaded the Smile Desktop. And, short of scrolling through the whole 15,000 images, I don't know what it picked off my computer. This is completely unacceptable.

Answer 4

It's awful. Uses a TON of memory that my computer has a hard time handling. Even the personal pictures I've downloaded come up with a Webshots copyright logo on them when I put them on the screen. They say you can pick up all your old pictures until December 1 -- supposedly will send them in a zip file. I requested my pics and received a link via email that is "invalid or does not exist."



Go here for some additional information from Webshots: http://help.getsmileapp.com/

Answer 5

I have a premium membership with webshots ( the original webshots) I have been using them since 2000, I am just sick at what they have done. I can not download anything not even their Smile Desktop. Now I'm trying to find a way to move all the pics I do have off the old Webshots Desktop to my computer so I do not loose them. Any suggestions anyone? Needless to say I will be cancelling my membership and looking for a new site for screensavers

.

Answer 6

Yes, I hate it! When they transferred to the new app, I lost a lot of photos! However, I was able to save the few community photos I was using. I hear there is a way to convert your webshots photos into jpeg if you hadn't deleted them already. But, using them outside of Webshots creates copyright issues (if you are found out).



There are many alternatives. For one, I have found John's background switcher and not only will it use your own photos, but photos from Google, Flickr, RSS feeds, Picasa, etc. you just pick the group, person, subject or file you want it to pick photos from. It also has a calendar feature similar to Webshots. One thing I like is that it tells you where the photo comes from and will link it to the site where you can find more information on it. You can also do a lot of effects and montages on more than one monitor. I have managed to find many free great wallpapers online and saved them in a folder for the background switcher to use.



I've also found out that Flickr and Google also have background switchers, too. And, if you are running Windows, you can create a screensaver using your own photos.

Answer 7

I will NOT be renewing my membership if they don't go back to the old website. You can't download pictures anymore instead they decide what is going to be on your screensaver. You can not remove these pictures until they come off in 60 days so if you hate the picture it sits there for 2 months. The only effect left is a fade out and the titles of your old screensaver no longer show up on the new version. They should have named it FROWN.

Answer 8

I like both flats and modest heels. I never go higher than 2 and half inches and I prefer block heels. They're way more comfortable than regular spike heels or stillettos. It's interesting to hear a guy express his dislike for women wearing high heels. Most of the time when I see a question from a man about heels, they usually complain about not seeing as many women as they would like in high heels or that the heels aren't high enough. Even though I do incorporate heels in my wardrobe, it's nice to see a man give a dissenting view about an item which is considered feminine. Your opinion differs from what most people regard as feminine and attractive, plus you speak about the health issues of wearing heels too much and or too high.

Answer 9

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Anyone else HATE 'Smile', the new version of 'webshots'?

Webshots is forcing the user to update to something called 'Smile' which doesn't have many of the options for which I downloaded webshots. Can anyone recommend an alternative?

Answer 10

You bet! I HATE SMILE!!!! Suddenly my beloved older Webshots program won't work. I've had my copy since 2003, and I've had an ACTIVE SUBSCRIPTION that I renewed in March of this year - one year for $39,95. NOTHING BY THESE CREEPS says how I get my money refunded, OR how I protect my Credit Card number!

Answer 11

I hate the new smile I've had it since the 1990's. anyone wanting to cancel their subscription should go to the following.



http://smile.webshots.com/refund.html



I've actually complained to them and canceled myself. if enough of us cancel mybe they will realize the big screw up they've made. They should learn the hard way it's not nice to piss off your loyal customers.

Answer 12

Yes, I definitely do. I have lost 10 years worth of photos. All my memories gone of the past 10 years of trips done and family visits.



What was wrong with Webshots of old? It needed a bit of modernizing but not as drastically as it was done now.



Besides how can one trust a company which changes hands every few years . The original owners sell it then buy it back again and so forth.



JN

Answer 13

I just canceled my subscription which was due to renew in November. I lost my desktop pictures and calendar and just don't understand this "smile" thing. It's made me do anything but "smile"

Answer 14

They ruined over 50 catagories I had set up with over 4000+ photos. They mixed them all up and transferred them all over to smile. I was a premium member for 10 yrs. They will eventually go bankrupt. Their site is a piece of CRAP now. Change is not always good, loyalty to your customers on the other hand.

Answer 15

Webshots Community

Answer 16

I have been a loyal paying client of Webshots since they first were part of Excite@Home because it does exactly what I want. I have resisted flickr and shutterfly and paid every year.



Now I am forced to make a move! Where is everyone going?

Keith

Answer 17

Smiles is a piece of crap. I had to delete it, and webshots. Lost all my pictures, and I have been with webshots since 2005.Hope they enjoy no customers. Hope it makes them smile, cause I sure am not smiling.

Answer 18

Loved the Old Webshots... Loved searching for all the member photos and all the amateur hotties I used to find... this Smile is a sugary piece of crap.

Answer 19

yes, they have lost some of my photos, too. i have been with them at the beginning. now i found out my webshots is corrupt.

Answer 20

I "LOVED" Webshots!!! I "HATE" Smile!!! I will never use this website, it sucks!!!

Answer 21

yes!!!!!!