Author Topic: Freeware Image Organizer (Especially Tags/Keywords)? (Read 65434 times)

siouxdax · « **on:** March 20, 2009, 10:53 PM »

Hello all:
Once again I have a question that will no doubt spark extensive convo (I seem to have that touch).

So I searched through the forum and found this thread. I'm looking for a freeware image organizer that features tags, keywords and a search function. Currently I use FastStone Image Viewer, which is fantastic, but doesn't have a search function, and its tagging/keyword feature is flimsy to say the least. I also use Picasa, but it doesn't seem to be 'slick' enough, if that makes any sense.

Really, I would like to find something akin to Adobe Lightroom, but a freeware version. That may be asking for too much. I have tried out IrfanView, and one or two other apps (I can't recall at this moment), but none seemed to hit the nail on the head.

So once again, I ask you, the all-knowing DC community, for your sage advice in this matter.

cmpm · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:25 PM »

haven't tried it
but it says it can

http://lifehacker.co...with-itag-272019.php

check out the comments for more also

rgdot · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:50 PM »

myphotoindex might be worth a look

siouxdax · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:50 AM »

haven't tried it
but it says it can

http://lifehacker.co...with-itag-272019.php

check out the comments for more also
-cmpm (March 20, 2009, 11:25 PM)

I noticed in one of the comments:
"Yes, I have managed to keep my machine free of the ".net-based" apps so far. And I intend to keep it that way."

Why would a .net-based app be undesirable?

Also, rgdot:
Thanks for that link. It looks quite promising. I intend to check it out fully, after getting myself some much needed sleep. Thanks!

Nod5 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2009, 08:30 AM »

I saw that http://www.digikam.org/ now works on Windows (via KDE on windows). Haven't tried it though. Might be worth checking out.

Then there's always the crude, manual but also completely lock-in-free solution that I use: datestamped folders and date+times+tags in the filename. It works on any playform. It's not practical if you want a lot of tags for each image but if you're mostly using a small number of tags then it is fine. (To make use of this you also need a good file search tool. Like FARR and/or Everything.)

I use a Bulk Rename Utility macro to autorename new photos with date+timestamp. I then add filename tags in BRU too. But I plan to adapt the code from Tourl http://nod5.dcmembers.com/tourl.html to allow quick adding/removing of tags in filenames in Windows explorer.

40hz · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:41 PM »

You might want to take a look at PhotoMesa.

Link: http://www.windsorin....com/photomesa.shtml

PhotoMesa is a zoomable image browser. It allows the user to view multiple directories of images at once, and uses simple navigation commands to smoothly zoom in and out.

PhotoMesa requires only images on disk, and does not require any annotation, importing to a database, or other organization.

* Easy to get started
* See multiple folders at once
* Browse thousands of photos
* Find all the photos on your hard drive
* Supports many image filetypes:
JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, EMF, ICON, TIF, WMF
* Easy name, category and caption annotation
* Fast search by any kind of annotation
* Preview in place on mouse over
* Drag and drop into email
* Easy enough for a child to use -
left click zooms in, right click zooms out

The interface lets you concentrate on the images, without having to manage scrollbars, menus, or pop-up windows.

siouxdax · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 12:20 AM »

Well MyPhotoIndex is just pure evil. Firstly it did not let me choose where to install (one of my pet peeves). Second, when importing my photos it stuck at 7859, screwing up the entire import. The features are quite sparse. Lastly it hijacked Firefox and produced a number or error pop-ups. All in all a total piece of junk

rgdot · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:01 AM »

My experience wasn't bad, of course except the install location. ~3000 photos in my case though. How did it have anything to do with firefox? do you mean their website downloads malware or something?

Speaking of, Photomesa worked for me for a while then started giving exception errors, I uninstalled it a few months ago.

kartal · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:12 AM »

http://bluemarine.tidalwave.it/

and I have liked this one

http://www.pictomio.com/Default.aspx

siouxdax · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2009, 02:19 AM »

How did it have anything to do with firefox? do you mean their website downloads malware or something?
-rgdot (March 23, 2009, 01:01 AM)

I don't think it had anything to do with Firefox, but it sure as hell took it over. Perhaps it's coincidence, but I seriously doubt it. It's just a gut feeling, ya know?

Kartal: Thanks for the links. I'll definitely be checking them out. I was pleased to see that one of them touts to be similar to Photoshop Lightroom.

siouxdax · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:58 AM »

Well, I tried out blueMarine. I knew that it was in beta testing, but I expected to at least be able to view pics. I 'imported' a folder... then nothing. Then I read through the support and FAQ. blueMarine actually copies your pics to build a contact sheet. In my opinion, not the best way to work with pics, especially when I've got over 12,000 pics (and yes, I did upload small folders in lieu of the whole 'My Pictures' folder).

So I'm still on the quest for a pic app. If only FastStone IV would support tags and search capabilities... I think I'm gonna email FastStone and suggest those features (but I'm sure I'm not the first to do so). Also, I think I've already tried Pictomio, but I may give it another shot.

cmpm · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:06 AM »

Have you tried iPhoto yet?
It is for windows.
And I have just started experimenting with it.
Seems fast and to the point with good options.

http://www.geektonic...hotos-with-itag.html

There is also TaggedFrog that has recently been updated,
it works as well with pics and docs and more.

http://lunarfrog.com/

tomos · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:25 AM »

There was a free version of IDimager up until a while back - they're not offering it any more
I had a look at Last Freeware Version site but they dont seem to have a search

It's been highly recommended here [dc I mean!]
http://www.idimager.com/

kartal · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:39 AM »

Have you tried http://www.rawtherapee.com/ ? It is not a browser per se, it is a non destructive photo editor like adobe lightroom(I use both). It does not offer conventional tagging(select-click) but it has iptc support. The latest version offers star based ranking.

siouxdax · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2009, 12:51 PM »

I need to catch up and check out those other apps you recommended. I've spent a few hours trying to coax iTag into working correctly. Though it's not designed for image viewing, it is very much geared towards tagging. The only problem is that it really can't handle large numbers of files at a time. Plus, after loading the images to be tagged iTag decides to load 'high-res' thumbnails, which is a real pain in the ass when you just want to do some basic tagging. iTag is quite 'fragile'; it hangs up when you confront it with more than a couple hundred pics. I'll try the last few suggestions after fiddling with iTag a bit more; I really want it to work. Simplicity is key for this type of app, I've learned.

siouxdax · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:02 PM »

Okay, so now that I have a clean slate and can begin tagging pics, I have one question. Should the tags be in all lowercase or uppercase, or title case? Or does it even matter?

rgdot · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:19 PM »

Personally I have not seen or heard of special rules or conventions for tagging. I have always tagged using how the word itself is used naturally. Names capitalized, etc.

siouxdax · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:24 PM »

rgdot: Yeah, I suppose that's a good rule of thumb. I'm such a dork about stuff like that.

tsaint · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:02 PM »

Despite its age, I still prefer Exifer for tagging because of the straightforward, clear way it addresses IPTC and EXIF tagging (both individual and batch, with templates able to be used). It also does rotations and thumbnail fixing very easily.
(For edits I use a variety of stuff, for cataloging, I use IMatch (not free)).
tony

tomos · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2009, 03:14 AM »

Okay, so now that I have a clean slate and can begin tagging pics, I have one question. Should the tags be in all lowercase or uppercase, or title case? Or does it even matter?
-siouxdax (March 23, 2009, 03:02 PM)

does that mean you're sticking with iTag?

I havent used tagging much (except in Evernote FWIW) but it seems to me the most important thing is to be easily able to see the tags you have already created -
so as you dont start doing slight variations on a 'tag' which would defeat the purpose really

Also from that point of view, keep the tag words 'natural' as rgdot says

cmpm · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:49 AM »

I found this site with some possible good tips.

http://www.organizep...ctures.com/tags/tags

tomos · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2009, 06:36 AM »

I found this site with some possible good tips.

http://www.organizep...ctures.com/tags/tags
-cmpm (March 24, 2009, 04:49 AM)

good reading there cmpm

from 5 steps to create precise keywords for tagging your pictures (2nd page)

* Always use singular in your keywords and no plurals. This would translate in birthday instead of birthdays.
* Don’t use any abbreviations…I think this is a must for any keyword since abbreviations are very hard to remember.

I wonder how Armando manages all his abbreviated tags $:-\$ he had a thread about tagging here somewhere but it's tagging file names. In this case [here] I think it's the software's role to let you see tags at a glance

edit in [brackets]

Lutz_ · « **Reply #22 on:** March 27, 2009, 11:33 PM »

Another free tool with quite luxurious options is Studioline Photo Basic
from: www.studioline.biz

anne_r · « **Reply #23 on:** March 29, 2009, 08:37 AM »

I've used iTag and found it a bit slow. Also it expires every now and then and you must go and download the latest version.

I'm looking for an alternative.

OldElmerFudd · « **Reply #24 on:** March 29, 2009, 01:33 PM »

I think Photofiltre will work for you http://photofiltre.free.fr/frames_en.htm and Paint.Net is worth a look. http://www.getpaint.net/

I use Ifanview for a quick editor/viewer, and Photofiltre Studio ($ware) and PS for most of my work.

hth
2 penny Ron