Technically Speaking03/31/2005

One of the most frustrating things about computer is misplacing files. A past edition discussed how to find content in files with Google Desktop Search. While it is a fantastic program it is of little use unless the files have some identifying text in them or at least a good filename. Probably the hardest type of file to find are photos and graphics. If you are like me you probably stay with the naming scheme that your digital camera uses so your pictures are called something cryptic like 033105abc.jpg.

One solution is to give every picture a specific and unique name like markandpatsummerinfrontofBigBen05a.jpg but that is very long, and it takes a lot of work. Plus, you know that after the first couple of times you will stop naming them just like I do, the same goes for labeling CDs and Floppy Disks. Even when you find the pictures it takes many steps to open them and edit them, to remove red eye and touching them up.

The software that comes with most digital cameras is normally as stripped down version of a commercial program, and of limited usefulness. It is normally a teaser to buy the full version since some of the best features are not available. In fact many of the programs gray out the 'advanced' option just to tease you more.

Windows is no help either, since the built in photo editor is virtually useless. There are many very good image processing programs on the market, perhaps the best consumer level is Adobe Image Ready, but it carries a hefty $99+ price tag. ImageReady CS is a full featured package that is a great value when compared to the industry standard Adobe Photoshop CS, a $699 professional program that is used by graphic artists and photographers. Both programs have a somewhat steep learning curve and have far too many options for the average user.

To the rescue comes yet another program from the folks at Google, and it is free. Picasa2, http://www.picasa.com/, is a very nice basic graphic cataloging and manipulation tool. Picasa is very easy to use with a well thought out and intuitive interface, you will be using it in no time.

The program runs in the background and when you load new photos onto your computer or create new graphic files it creates a nice visual catalog of all the folders and pictures. It does this automatically and is very fast. When it is first run it will scan your computer and create a catalog of graphic files it finds, even the ones you have lost or never knew you had.

Clicking on the programs Icon brings up a well organized screen with your catalog on the right and folder list on the left. The top and bottom of the widow offers a multitude of helpful options such as Import, Slideshow, Make a gift Cd, Backup, Print, Email, Blogger, Collage and more. Two of the most interesting are the Blogger option and the SlideShow option. If you have a blog set up on Blogger this option allows you to upload your pictures to your blog. Slideshow is very nice with many great functions including the ability to have the slideshow run while a MP3 file is playing.

Once you click on a picture in your Gallery/Catalog you are given a lot of image manipulation tools: Basic Fixes, Tuning, and Effects. These include everything from Basic cropping, red eye reduction to an effect I like called Focal Black and White. There are many other options to play with that allow to to tweak your photos and graphics.

For advanced image manipulation you need a more fully featured program, but as a gallery/catalog program to fix pictures for display or printing Picasa2 can't be beat.

Remember, before you start working on a picture, use Save As and save it as another name just in case you mess up your picture. That way you will still have the original to start over with.

This edition's question is: The record companies are continuing their hunt for illegal music downloaders levying hefty fines and using heavy handed scare tactics. They say it is outright theft and blame it for declining record sales and lost profits. Downloaders say it is not theft and that they buy more music now and that file sharing promotes sales. What do you agree with? Would/Has downloading songs change(d) your buying habits?

As always send your tech questions or comments to mat@muw.edu. They will be answered in a future column or with a personal reply.
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Mark Taylor, a senior in communication, was previously an information systems trainer for the US Air Force and a technical support technician for an internet service provider. A game and consumer electronics reporter during the Dot Com boom, he now owns Fanfare Media Services in Columbus.