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About FreeForm and EAPH Hosting History    Features Way back in 1999 when eBay was just beginning to become a household word there wasn't a whole lot of support available for sellers to show more than one photo with their item descriptions. Coincidentally, at that time I was also just beginning to hit my stride with web programming and decided to see what I could do to help. The result was an on-line program I not so creatively called ''The Form'' that was, in fact, a form page into which text and photo URLs could be typed into pre-ordered slots and HTML was output for use on eBay. Within a year or so I added the ability to save work and to apply color to the text and background. Again not very creatively, I called it ''The Form With Color and Save''. That program, in turn, eventually developed into what ''FreeForm'' is today, finally a reasonably creative name reflecting the ability to re-arrange the form itself as well as providing many additional formatting capabilities. All the while I was working on and improving FreeForm and its predecessors I wanted to also include hosting of the photos sellers used in their item descriptions to eliminate copy and pasting of URLs and many problems common to using hosting methods that aren't specifically intended for use with eBay.  The problem was that I couldn't add the hosting for free (my costs would be prohibitive) and it was out of the question to begin charging for use of FreeForm. FreeForm is and I plan for it always to be a virtually free to use service. The compromise was to create a separate paid hosting service Easy Auction Picture Hosting (EAPH) and include features in FreeForm very close to my original hope of the hosting being built in.  Along with a point and click interface for displaying photos stored at EAPH, I was able to add unlimited saving and web page publishing directly from within FreeForm.  All accomplished without getting in the way of those can not afford to use paid hosting. Perfect. For those who can afford it, the tools I have built into the separate EAPH service make it probably the most helpful and feature packed hosting service you will find for eBay sellers. I tend to use variations of ''I hope this helps'' and ''I wish you success'' as the closing for my emails.  That is how I view the services I provide and my desire for those who use them.  I am happy to help any way I can - please feel free to write! Rob Bell rob@robshelp.com Need help adjusting to eBay's decision to retire Picture Manager? Write to me at rob@robshelp.com for a free consultation. If we together determine EAPH is the right solution for you, I'll transload all the Picture Manager pictures from your item descriptions straight into your hosting with EAPH.com (no downloading / uploading required by you) and provide tools and instructions to help you revise them individually or in bulk using Turbo Lister. FreeForm and EAPH.com have and will continue to evolve with the changing needs of eBay sellers and the capabilities of modern web browsers. EAPH.com Hosting's many remarkable features include Java applet for uploading images with choices to: - No Resize No Compress - Compress Only - Resize to maximum 560 wide/high - Resize to maximum 640 wide/high - Resize to maximum 750 wide/high Resizing, when selected, occurs on the computer before files are transferred making for very speedy uploading. The applet automatically ignores anything but image files so, for example, an entire folder can be selected on the computer and only the image files within it will be uploaded. Files/folders may be selected for uploading via either copy and paste, drag and drop, or browse. Template Helper tool: The heart of EAPH's unique Template Helper is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor that adds the power to squeeze more flexibility from a pre-made template, such as you might acquire on the web or purchase from a designer on eBay, without having to learn or edit HTML source code directly. Not as powerful as using FreeForm but very handy for quick edits. Enhanced Photo Albums: Many sellers like to display smaller versions or thumbnails of photos that when clicked show larger versions.  Such links can be created using HTML (with FreeForm or otherwise).  For the convenience of shoppers, however, it is sometimes better to provide links that lead to a page in which all the item photos can be seen.  That allows the shopper to avoid having to click separately on each small version in the item listing. EAPH includes the ability to create such a page quickly and efficiently by use of its Photo Album feature.  Just put all the item photos into the same folder and use the URL provided in the ''Show and Tell'' section.  If you want something fancy then the Enhanced Photo Album enables adding a title, description, email address, web address, background wallpaper and colors to the page.  You may see an example of the Enhanced Photo Album in use with Sample Starter Template 47 created using FreeForm (opens in new window). See an overview of most EAPH features in the EAPH Features Showcase page. FreeForm at RobsHelp.com many powerful features include Two levels of design capability: 1. FreeForm's unique Builder serves both as an assembly tool and an editing tool. Assemble a layout including use of any backgrounds and graphics desired along with text and photo content. When finished save permanently within FreeForm itself (multiple saves are provided). Load any particular save back into the Builder on future occasions to use again either exactly the same or with changes.  Unlike using stand-alone templates, you have the tools to make any changes required because you are in the Builder. 2. As a part of the changes performed when creating individual item descriptions or web pages, the Builder provides for the textual portions to be formatted using a WYSIWYG editor.  The WYSIWYG is conceptually similar to eBay's description editing tool but immensely more powerful. Of course, all the basics are provided underlining, italics, bold, changing text color, etc. But along with that, fonts can be changed, bullet or numbered lists can be created, images inserted, and links created from either text or images. In fact, it would be possible to create an entire item description in one Text Input Area of FreeForm including all the photos! Tremendously open ended flexibility: Unlike services with cookie cutter templates to choose among, layouts can be arranged however desired including any mix of your own graphics, backgrounds, logos, dividers, etc.  Put photos where you want them, as many as you want, in whatever size desired.  Show text in between photos or to left or right of them.  You are not locked into prearranged space for content when using FreeForm. Whatever type of content FreeForm doesn't provide for directly, Code Input Areas can be used to display it.  Flash content, videos, HTML snippets, whatever is desired can be used with FreeForm.  Furthermore, my programming and HTML experience including a complete understanding of eBay compatibility issues are at your disposal, only an email away if/when you need assistance. Please view the Sample Starter Templates which can be used as starting points and inspiration for your layouts created using FreeForm. EasyLinks is the newest of many helpful tools There are no advertising banners, Google search inserts, etc. at either the RobsHelp.com or EAPH.com web sites.  Nothing to get in the way of your productivity.  Refreshing isn't it! Yes, you can create attractive, effective, and professional appearing eBay item descriptions, About Me pages, and eBay Store pages.

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