Please, please change this language:

"Q: Are the images I upload, anonymous?

A: Yeah. Totally. Kinda. We keep your IP address. We wish we didn't have to, but there are some folks in this world that like child pr0nz and stuff. We really don't like that kind of thing, and if the cops come busting down our door, we gotta have something to tell them. But your IP address and the picture are literally the only things we track, and only the picture is made available to the public, so yes, you're more or less anonymous here."

"We keep your IP" and "More or less anonymous" are absolutely not compatible phrases. You either need to stop logging IP addresses or drop any pretenses of anonymity. You don't "gotta tell the cops something." There's no law requiring this. You don't even mention how long your data retention policy is.

As far as anonymity is concerned, the images are anonymous to other user and visitors. It is our responsibility to keep track of unlawful activity for both our protection and the user's. The Terms of user explains this in detail. Also, the front page clearly states that Images expire in 30 days if not used.

Thanks

I'm not an expert but I don't think 4chan stores anything.. why do you need to ?

I don't think this is true. This was is Christopher Poole's testimony:

  Q. Now, you said that 4chan does not keep the
  contents of these posts. Does 4chan maintain business
  records of web logs, also audit logs and sometimes banned
  entries as well, if a particular user has been banned?
  A. Yes.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/41691202/35688046-Christopher-Moot...

We do this for the safety and security of the site.We can't just allow any sicko to start posting inappropriate pictures on our site.

This is our way of keeping track and providing a safe and pleasant environment for everyone.

Thanks for asking.

Why do people create sites like these (from a financial perspective)? Do they have anything to gain? I assume they have to pay a lot in terms of space. Is there something I'm missing?

Some of them have made a good amount of money through advertising (e.g. Imageshack). It seems like the market is probably a little saturated by now, so unless you've got some killer feature or a base of users to market to (Imageshack started off on the Something Awful forums) it's probably not worth it.

Any reason from "just for shits and giggles" to "getting credibility in a community" (like HN).

I run a url shortener - it costs me time and money that I will never get back directly. Hopefully it gives me some credibility in the community but other than that it is just a fun side project.

What is the differentiator from other image sharing sites like imgur?

Well, actually, I would have to say simplicity and convenience. imgip.com was intended for quicker image sharing,

It only takes two steps for you to complete your upload process and be on your way to share you image.

There are actually a lot more advantages currently and a lot more to come.

Thanks for asking.

So.. like IMGUR.COM before the owner had to cover hosting expenses with a few ads. Am I missing something?

I'm not sure I understand your question. Please rephrase.

min.us may have won the game with their snazzy interface.