Sharing Memories is Easier Than Ever

So why aren't more Americans doing it?

It has never been easier to share memories. Americans are past the day when attaching a file to an e-mail was a daunting technical challenge - a recent Imation survey showed that 89 percent of adults say that file sharing is easy. And 62 percent said that making digital photo albums, scrapbooks, movies and slideshows is easy as well. But, alas, only 30 percent have created home movies and only 24 percent have created digital photo albums.

Why "alas?" Because half the fun of making digital memories is sharing them. So dust off the digital shoeboxes and make digital files something everyone can enjoy.

Imation has some tips for turning memories into messages.


Digital Photos - Do Anything - "Yes, I can e-mail the photos to the gang, but that's so…boring…" Indeed, some amazing memories can be preserved with photo editing and graphic arts software. For example:

1. DVD "Stories" - Probably the most underrated use of the combination of digital photos and DVDs is the slideshow. If a DVD burner is accessible, the software is affordable and easy to use. The software typically lets the user add backgrounds and frames, resize photos and choose music from your own collection.
   
   DVD slideshows are becoming the standard for creative keepsakes for graduating classes, clubs and sports teams - from pre-school to high school - that can be watched on any home DVD player. And they're a great way to follow up on a family reunion, wedding or anniversary.
   
   
2. Real Photos, Real Scrapbooks - It's easy to make real photos from digital cameras…burn photos to a CD and bring it to a local developer or consumers can choose from a number of online services to upload photos using high-speed Internet service. Use a retail kiosk or editing software on a computer to lighten up dark photos, crop, resize or remove red-eye. Then keep scrapbooking the traditional way.
   
   
3. Digital scrapbooking - Make and print a scrapbook page without all of that cutting and pasting using popular photo editing and graphics software to create scrapbook pages with digital photos. The ability to create visual stories using virtually limitless type fonts, colors and backgrounds to highlight memories and tell a story (not to mention removing red-eye) unleashes unlimited creativity for the growing legions of scrapbookers.

From Home Movie to Video Clip - "Yes, my dear, we did once enjoy your half-hour videos of our granddaughter stacking blocks, but really, we just don't have that kind of time!" The goal is not only to preserve home movies…but for others to want to watch them, too. Here are some suggestions:

1. Make DVD home movie archives. Use the best quality DVDs, like Imation's discs with ForceField™ "memory protection" coating that defends them from damage like scratches, dust or smudges.
2. Use a simple video editing software package to create "shorts" of the best footage to share memories with family and friends. These programs make it very easy to collect snippets and save them onto a CD or DVD. Send these shorts to loved ones near and far.

Remember to use high-quality, scratch resistant discs to keep those memories safe for years to come.

Visit the following Imation online resources for more information:

• www.imation.com/forcefield for CDs and DVDs that protect against the rigors of everyday life
• www.imation.com/didyouknow for advice on digital photos, video and music applications