As a fellow nerd illustrated this afternoon, there are many reasons why technology need not replace your old collection of photographs.  With that said, I happen to like digital frames.  I own one, and have gifted them to others.  Here are five thoughts on why you should abandon prints, and switch to digital immediately.

1.  Digital frames conserve valuable desk space.  I happen to have a job where I work in a cubicle, and desk space is at a premium.  Especially when you have four monitors on your desk.  I happen to like the fact that I can keep a couple dozen pictures of my children on my desk, and it takes as much space as one photograph.

2.  I can see it in relatively low light situations.  Unlike a photograph, I can enjoy glancing over and seeing a cute picture of my kids in near darkness, and be reminded of why I’m working so late in the first place.

3.  You’re killing the environment, photograph junkie.  Do you pour hazardous chemicals down your sink?  Developer and fixer solutions are not environmentally friendly at all, and digital photography requires none of that.

4.  You’d be saving money.  Let’s be honest, what is the life-cycle of a photograph on your desk?  Your kids will get older, and you will update those photos on a regular basis.  Even if you rely on Costco pricing, photos can get expensive.  Especially if you aren’t ordering standard tiny 4X6 photos. 

Math:  Most digital frames are Energy Star rated, and consume on average 5.5 watts.  Even if left on 24 X 7 X 365 (which most of you won’t), we are talking 48.18 kWh per year.  At the Department of Energy’s published average rate of 10.6 cents per kWh, we are talking an annual expenditure of $5.11.  Even at Costco’s competitive $0.39 for a 5 X 7 print, do you really think you will order fewer than 13 prints this year to realize a cost savings?  And that doesn’t even take postage into consideration.

5.  You are less likely to be a random target of violence.  A childhood friend had parents who owned a small hardware store that contained a one hour photo.  The photo technician maintained a drawer of copies of racy photos which he had developed for customers.  I’m not saying he ever stalked and harmed any of the customers, but he did bear a striking resemblance to Robin Williams’ character, in One Hour Photo.