HFF - A fence for Panoramio (3 PiPs and four links)

Today is the day that Panoramio will be switched into read-only mode before completely being shut down in November 2017.

This picture here is an improved version of my most popular pic on Panoramio ( www.panoramio.com/photo/45201657 ) , which received almost a quarter million views. It is a panorama stitched from 7 HDR images and shows the view over the upper Rhine valley in the Swiss Alps. The difference in altitude from this viewpoint down to the valley is about 1500 m. I clearly understood the necessity of the fence ... ;-)
For its Panoramio statistics, see PiP 1. See also the four links in the notes on the bottom of the pic for external usages of my pic in articles about the end of Panoramio.

I joined panoramio in 2008. Most of the first contacts ("favourites") from there are now my friends over here. Even though the future of panoramio was obvious, I continued uploading until spring 2016. It was fun, I learned a lot and received some recognition and over 10 mio views, so in total, I'm fine with it. (PiP 2)

Panoramio started out fine, and Google bought the site in 2007. Until 2012, the upload rate increased continuously - success story! But Google wanted more: a new "awesome" design, a deeper integration into the Google product world - and exciting became "exiting". By the end of 2014, the upload rate was half of what it used to be in peak days. Google decided to close down the site, ignoring the effort the numerous users have put into it. Many have left since then and joined Ipernity (or other alternatives). Now, during the last active days, upload rates are nearly the same as when Google took over - a roller coaster ride for nothing! (PiP3)

I want to take the opportunity to thank all my fellow Panoramiacs for all the fun and friendship and also the Ipernity community, which is the main reason why I won't miss Panoramio so much.