Digital BW, The Print

>Message: 6
>   Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 12:52:31 -0000
>   From: "sdsmith9999" <sdsmith9999@...>
>Subject: image catalog software
>
>Can anyone recommend an effective, afforable system/software for 
>digital image cataloging?  I'm especially concerned that the data be 
>usable over time.  A lot of the software out there seems too feature 
>heavy (eg: includes image editing, photo album making, etc).

I recently posted a scheme I use below on another list that may work for you. 
It isn't likely that .txt files will become un-readable in any future system
- but who knows about CD's?  

************
I contrived a simple organizing system that didn't involve a lot of work to
implement.  It may seem kind of "well, duh" but I am pleased with its
simplicity and speed.  It is a Windows system but the underlying scheme can
work on a Mac.  All that is required is a way to save directories as text
files. I couldn't figure out how to do that in MSW so I found a $15 program
called Advanced Directory Printer. A demo is on TwoCows.com . The ADP
program does a lot of neat things besides help sort files too. 

Storing Directories:
1. Number your CD's - it doesn't matter what is on them or the sequence.
2. Open each CD directory in ADP and save it using any name with the same
number: 
photo-1.txt, etc. (save all the files in the same folder)

You can now use Windows Explorer/tools/Find to do key word searches or
advanced key word search explained below:

1. Open the ADP picture files folder in Windows Explorer 
2. In that menu check "match partial word" then double click on "insert new
property"
3. The menu that opens has a place to enter any part of the file name.
4. Type in what you remember might be part of the file name.  Enter "find now"
The number of any disk that has a file that matches the partial name will
appear. 

One advantage to this system is that it's quick to organize a bunch of CD's
- I did sixty in less than an hour - and no matter how whacked your file
naming system is you can track a file down in a hurry if you remember any
part of the name (.tif and .jpg don't count!). You can do more complex
searches and get all the pictures of the same subject, etc.. 

I hope this is of some use,

AZ


Maker of Lookaround panoramic camera.
http://www.panoramacamera.us
         or
keyword.com lookaround