Flickr Stats

Daily we check the page impressions of our website in my office, the dashboard tells us which articles had most clicks, sometimes it seems quantity is more important than quality. At least, it is a lot easier to measure quantity. Does this also apply to private websites? Occasionally, I check the web stats of my Flickr pics, and I must admit I was quite pleased to note that I hat hit the 40.000 yesterday. More important than numbers is that sometimes people use my photos to illustrate their sites:

• Remembering Kids’ Medications (Without Losing Your Mind)
• 7 Ridiculous Laws Against Women
• Eon Ruhrgas: Zukünftig keine Gaspreis-Orientierung am Ölpreis
• Of Woods And Words: Cultural Identity, Northeastern Minnesota Style
• Die Bibliotheken von Chinguetti sind in Gefahr 
• Форзиция – Forsythia
• Covenant College – SAT Scores, Costs and Admissions Data
• Makosbeigli: Moon Cake
• Nach Bochum, zum Sterne gucken
• Fun Tourist Attractions: St. Patrick’s Cathedral 

Sometimes, people tell me they use my photo, others just download the photo and (using the CC license)  make the attribution.

Attaching a Creative Commons License to pictures makes them usable to many who would not buy pictures from commercial agencies but are happy to use photos for free from amateurs like me.Is this part of the everything-for-free web culture? Or does it make amateurs feel appreciated because someone likes and uses their work?