Yes, this was quite a topic over the summer!
People have started to use various other free hosting sites, but I am of the opinion that with any free hosting (that isn't related to the forum) is out there to make money, and if you bypass their add-engine (which is what happens when you direct like, like we do here) they don't make money. And eventually, they'll find a way to kick you off or get you to pay, just like Photobucket.
My recommendation would be to look at using the free service that Ade setup for us to use. It's free, but for members only. You can see the details here:
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,7249.0.htmlAnd here's a thread where people are exploring some options to Photobucket, but after about post 7 or 8 it starts to center around Ade's hosting service and how to use that.
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,7247.0.htmlYou'll find several other threads in July/Aug where people discussed this. Here's another one with some useful pointers:
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,7269.0.htmlGood luck Pete,
Kim