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How to get your free Flickr pro account with Rogers

Posted: February 19th, 2009 | Author: Satish | Filed under: Technology | Comments

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Today was the third time I tried to do this. The first 2 times were #epicfail, and I think I even called Rogers at some point to figure it out.

Each time I was told “nope, sorry, can’t do it”. Can’t do it? No way. I refused to give up my current photos, contacts, and (most importantly) username.  I use ‘skanwar’ everywhere, except on Xbox Live (but that’s a story for another day).

I tried desperately again today because I was at the checkout page for a Flickr pro account. I have 300 photos from Twestival TO that deserve to be uploaded in their full quality. And it’s been way too hard to find a way to batch resize them.

What doesn’t work:

  • The ‘link to your existing Flickr account’ option at the bottom of the Rogers login screen
  • Adding your Rogers email to your list of addresses in your existing account’s settings
  • Calling customer service of either companies to link the 2 accounts

What does work:

  • Go to the Flickr account transfer option, which allows you to switch Yahoo! IDs on your existing Flickr username, at http://www.flickr.com/account/transfer/
  • Make sure you are signed in with your existing Flickr account, and then click the option to sign-in with the one you want to transfer it to
  • Use your @rogers.com credentials here, you don’t need to do anything on this account otherwise

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Bingo! You’re pro.

Warning: This is an irreversible process from the looks of it. So if you plan to cancel or hop telcos, then don’t do it. Post in comments if you know a workaround.

Update: If you ever cancel your Rogers Internet services, then you will just be downgraded to a free account. It will be the same impact as if you just stopped paying for pro on a normal account. Not to worry.

S

  • bharat
    Thanks for sharing this. I have account with btinternet.com which rummers had it that it gave free pro account on flickr. Tried your instruction and now I have it!!
  • Thanks for sharing that @Jetta, I hadn't realized it.

    That's a really bad value-add for them to dump, and worse that Flickr won't be giving out any free 1-year pro memberships or anything of sorts to those affected.
  • Jetta
    Rogers is cancelling their Flickr Pro program.

    Rogers is slowly getting rid of all the add-ons that made their Internet services of any use. Soon the only thing you'll get for your $ is connectivity and everything else will be a cost-added option.

    I don't think we can expect to see our Rogers Internet bills dropping as they cut service though.
  • A needed rant in any case. It's true, these things should not be that difficult to do. I mean, if something says "click here to tie this login to a current Flickr ID", it should do that!

    What you said is right now because it's happened to me so many times. I always have to take a second to find the upload link - it's not in my face where it needs to be.

    At least we're all Pros now.
  • Flickr/Yahoo have a history of being somewhat unfriendly with their ui and workflow. They sort of lead you in circles searching for things you'd think would be dead simple and in your face.

    Case in point: Why is it that I can only find the link to upload new photos to my Flickr account (the PRIMARY action for any Flickr user) on the homepage? And on the homepage, why is it that the link to upload has the same emphasis/styling/formatting as the rest of the headings on the page? ARG.

    Sorry, I had to take advantage of your Flickr rant to let out some steam of my own.

    verneho, Pro.
  • Thanks guys! Looking into it more, I don't think you would lose your account, but would just be downgraded back to normal. So the effect would be the same as if you didn't renew your pro account at some point.

    All your pictures and stuff would still be there, but the caps for future posting would go back on. There's a message in the setting snow that says: "You have a Pro account, at no cost as long as you keep your Rogers Yahoo! service."
  • Great post!
    A little concerning that you would be locked into Rogers though...
    have you tried to see if that message is just a paper soldier, and maybe it is possible to transfer away...
    I''m on bell, but if I wouldn't be locked in with rogers, I could be convinced to switch!
  • I didn't even realize that I had a pro account until I saw your entry linking to this on #twitter. Cool.

    Thanks,

    Puleen
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