Does downloading pictures uses computer's memory?

Question

If it does, would downloading picture's on Yahoo Photo storage prevent this?

Answer 1

Any application that runs on your computer will use memory, regardless of what it's doing. Simply having pics on your computer will not use memory...just disk space. When you access those pictures, memory is used. If those same pics are on Yahoo Photos, you aren't using disk space. When you access those with your browser, you are using memory.

Answer 2

Everything you do on your computer uses memory...but (unless the program has a memory leak) the memory will be available to use again after the process is finished. However, pictures downloaded and stored on your computer will reduce disk space. Often computers are set up to use empty disk space to increase the memory in a computer. If your computer's hard drive is close to full and/or the pictures are large and/or many, Yahoo's Photo Storage could be the way to go.

Answer 3

Downloading pictures to your computer uses disk space (strictly speaking this is not referred to as "memory", which refers to a different part of your computer).* If you store photos on Yahoo Photo instead of on your local computer, then yes, you will save yourself lots disk space. But be careful; if you store your photos online, they can be lost at any time for various reasons beyond your control. For example, if you don't use your account for a long time, they might get deleted (check the Yahoo Photo policies though). They may decide to charge you to access them. Their computer might fail and they lose them. They might decide to discontinue the service. Be sure you have a local backup somewhere (CD or whatever) if the photos are precious and irreplaceable.

(* Yes my fellow techie friends, downloading photos uses memory too, as does viewing them on Yahoo Storage, but this is not what the questioner is referring to.)

Answer 4

If you are doing something on your computer, it will use memory.

Windows will sequester a gob of memory when it loads up just to run Windows and other stuff. So if your computer is on, it's using memory either for stuff you initiate or for housekeeping.