The Impossible Dream Software

<p>I am looking for website software that is capable of searching through all of the IPTC/XMP data, in all images, across multiple directories and subdirectories, and which allows me to add both images and entire new directories, and all the while it keeps its indexes current. It should allow for advanced complex searches, using boolean operators.<br>

In addition, it should allow for a shopping cart, and for each image it should display choices for size of print, finish of print, and three levels of file resolution. It should be able to total up all images and off the ability to pay via Paypal, credit card, or bank check routing and account numbers.<br>

Does this exist anywhere, either for purchase or via subscription?</p>

<p>It sounds like you need a "front end" that allows customers to find, specify, and purchase photos and have them printed, and a "back end" that allows you to accept paypal etc while allowing you to set up new directories, upload new photos, etc.<br>

Clarifying your thinking by separating "customer" activities from "administrator" activities will help you specify a software system to meet your needs.</p>

<p>OK, I am not enough of a programmer to know how to specify it in those terms, thanks for the hint.</p>

<p>I'm not talking programming. I'm saying that what you are asking for is a complex system with a lot of features, some that the customer sees and some that you see. You need to be completely clear about what those features are, how they work, and who sees or has access to those features.<br>

It is very unlikely that you'll find everything you want in an existing package, so if you are serious about it, you'll have to have it built to your specifications.</p>

 

<p>Look at Smugmug. They handle order processing and fulfillment, and you can keyword images by having them import terms in your IPTC/XMP fields.</p>

<p>I want the whole database of info in each file searchable, without having to tell them about each file as I add them. T upload a file with "Owgagadudu" in one of the fields, and three seconds later a customer types in "Owgagadudu", and that image appears for him/her. Full automation, STAT.</p>

 

<p>It looks like Zenfolio may have what I want.</p>

 

<p>You can batch upload/import to SmugMug, as well. Whole folders full of stuff. If you've got your own keywords in your image fields, it will pick up on them as you upload. But you still have to "tell" the service about the file, in the sense that you have to indicate where you want it to be stored (true of Zen and Smug, and most any similar platform). But if you want to push 50 images into a given folder/gallery on the hosted side, just select all fifty, hit "upload" and you're done. If you've already key-worded your images, you really don't have to give it any more thought than that.</p>