i did use photobucket occasionally rober for photos or gif images post image cannot display, whether it be on the forum or the chatbox. unfortunately no more. i will not pay the 'ransom' . i do not know of another photo hosting service that is/was probably as 'good' as photobucket; there are some out there. like perry and apis, all the photographs i do post here are uploaded through post image. videos are uploaded through you tube.
if you are looking to post on other forums, might also ask what others on those forums are using. i think many forum folks were using photobucket and have been scrambling for a 'replacement'. i do follow a couple of 'collecting' forums, very sad to see all the photo's unavailable and folks looking for an alternative. very sad to see all the photos blanked here as well with the photobucket 'ransom' notice.
good luck rober, if you find an alternative, let us all know.