Recommendations for an image browser?

<p>Hello everyone -<br>

I did a search, but the relevant threads I found were several years old.</p>

<p>Last year, my Windows XP2 system crashed hard. Amazingly, I recovered every application save one: Adobe Bridge.</p>

<p>It is the only applicaton that will not work. After a cumulative 14 hours on the telephone (spread over three days) with Adobe and Windows tech support, including a confrence call between the three of us, the final suggestions was to replace the system. Both the Adobe and Windows techs agreed that a chain of code somewhere in Windows was broken and any repair was unlikely.</p>

<p>So, I sucked it up and have been using the Windows Photo/FAX Viewer as a browser. As I shoot in RAW+JPEG, it is functional, but for the purposes of organization, real world evaluation, etc., it's useless.</p>

<p>I hope to upgrade my system (probably MAC) sometime this year, but until then: can anyone recommend a good after-market image broswer?<br>

Thanks in Advance!</p>

 

<p>I like ACDsee, it's around $100 now, I think. Irfanview is also popular, and I believe still free.</p>

<p>Thanks Mendel -</p>

<p>ACDsee is one I was trying to remember the name of...and I'll check Irfanview too.</p>

<p>Best -</p>

<p>I use Adobe Bridge myself, but there is a shareware program called GraphicConverter that will do some browsing, as well as a whole bunch of batch functions, etc. I think it has Windows and Linux versions, but check at (<a href="http://www.lemkesoft.com/">link</a> ). I've used it for years and it is worth having for its ability to convert to and from virtually every graphics format that exists as well as for the batch renaming and so on. It's around US$30-40.</p>

<p>Check if you do upgrade to Mac-- someone here has mentioned somekind of special cross-platform deal on upgrades for Adobe.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>JDM -</p>

<p>Bridge was great until the crash, of course. I know lots of people don't care for it, but it was perfect for my needs.</p>

<p>GraphicConverter is one I've not heard of. I'll definitely take a look. Thanks for the link.</p>

<p>Best -</p>

<p>I'd just grab a western digital 640 and rebuild it.</p>

<p>Garrison -</p>

<p>A great suggestion, and one I've been tempted to try, but I'm so close to the platform switch (I hope, anyway) that I'm reluctant to invest the time...</p>

<p>Best -</p>

<p>Hi Bill,<br>

I recently switched systems in the other direction (Mac to PC). I had old G4 Mac and built a quad core PC for a lot less than the cost of a new Mac. I was happy with the Mac but wanted a faster system. Anyway, if you are looking for a temporary solution until your hardware upgrade you might try Adobe Lightroom. You can download a 30 day trial version or the new LR3 beta. If it works for you, then moving to the Mac will be that much easier. Another alternative is Picasa - also free.</p>

<p>Hey Joe!</p>

<p>Thanks - I had completely forgotten about Picassa. I thought about LR too, but probably will need it for longer then 30 days, but since I may upgrading within 90, I don't want to spend too much $$$ so Picasa and IrFanview are looking quite attractive at the moment.</p>

<p>Send me an email - let's catch up!</p>

<p>http://www.faststone.org/</p>

<p>I use FastStone viewer for browsing/culling photos. It has single-key copy/move functions and the ability to open an image using an external application (ex. Photoshop).</p>

<p>Another vote for Faststone Image Viewer - not only because it's free, it is very fast and powerful.</p>

<p>Off to check out Fastone now...</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>+1 Picasa... The newer versions have been faster and sleeker. And it's a nice photo editor for the price. I like the integration with the online browser where you just have to click on a button so it will automatically sync with the online album. Minimal fuss, no money out.</p>

<p>IDImager is excellent, but it's a Windows program.</p>