Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

Everyone,

I was wondering how many of us would like to have (would actually buy) a stand-alone image browser/organizer developed by Mike.
Many of the functions already exist in the Qimage browser but I was thinking of a stand-alone product that would allow image rotation, directory and image management, renaming functions, sorting, EXIF editing, IPTC editing, image resizing, etc. fully color managed and with Mike's quality standards.
Maybe if many of Mike's current customers would like to have such a product, that would convince him to tackle this project.
Mike, would that be in your radar? What do you think?

Regards to all,
Persio.

Great idea! I need something to replace ThumbsPlus since it looks doomed. If Mike would do that with the goals of an photo organizer such as ThumbsPlus and with his inherent quality, that would be a sure winner.  ;D :D

Don

Before re-inventing the wheel, checkout BreezeBrowser.  Much better (more professional without the amateur candy) than Thumbs or ACDSee, IMHO.

Also, IMatch for databasing is without equal if you have thousands of images.

As a long time very satisfied IMatch user, I believe it would satisfy all of your needs. My workflow for 99+% of my images uses -

1. Download - Downloader Pro (sorry, Mike. Used this long before your alternative came out; not broken then don't fix)
2. DAM - IMatch which I believe handles everything in your list (with a developer who is Mike-like in terms of access, response, & professionalism)
3. Post-process - I'm a Nikon user. Capture NX2 (with Nik Color Efex Pro 3 plug in); for B&W, Photoshop Elements (only because I need a plug-in platform for Nik's Silver Efex Pro).
4. Print - Qimage to help my Epson 3800 do its magic

I admit to not being very familiar with BreezeBrowser, but the little that I know suggests that IMatch does as much plus a lot more. I especially appreciate that I can go from "I wonder where those shots of x at y might be" to "now let's send them to Qimage" in usually a minute or less for 200K+ images. I use IMatch as my "home-base, control panel" for everything and have it pass images to all other programs like Qimage for processing. I also use IMatch for a lot of the little "fiddling" tasks like resizing for my web gallery, rotating, etc. via its versatile batch features (and scripting for more specialized work - it's completely customizable).

Disclosure - No financial interest in any of the above although I am a Nik Software beta tester.

I mention BreezeBrowser as an initial editor.  (Editing in the choose the good and bad; and, move stuff around.)  IMatch is used for the databasing of what is saved, as it is a little slower in acquiring.  And, yes, I too have been using DL Pro since its inception.

Different strokes, I guess. I use IMatch for browsing as the very first step after downloading with Downloader Pro. Its so much more than just a DAM tool. Here's my IMatch flow following a shoot -
1. I make an initial pass through my downloaded images in slide show mode (manual steps) and bookmark keepers.
2. Out of slide show; filter to show non-bookmarks; delete
3. Turn off filter (to see all keepers); select all; delete bookmarks
4. Another pass through slide show, this time bookmarking those I want to work with right now
5. Out of slide show; filter for bookmarked images; voila - the ones I want to do more with
6. Send this bunch off to NX2 via my IMatch interface

Steps 1-5 usually take me about 5 minutes (more "think" time than waiting on IMatch) for a normal day's shoot of about 100 images. I shoot RAW only and IMatch provides an instant full screen visual in the slide show mode which allowed me to stop doing RAW + JPEG. Further the "side-by-side" comparison mode for up to 4 images is great when trying to decide among several similar shots. Although I do most of want I want in screening just with bookmarks, there are also five label colors and 0-5 star ratings when fine tuning is needed.

Bottom line - for me, IMatch as a browser is just as important as its more obvious DAM role. It's probably my lack of understanding, but I can't imagine what any "pure browser" could add. Like I said - different strokes, but want to clarify for those not familiar with IMatch that it is far more than a data base program. As another example, it even provides basic editing features. Lastly, I have no speed issues with IMatch - but of course that depends on lots of things. 200K+ indexed/categorized images in the DB.

Returning to the OP - even as gifted as Mike is, I'd be surprised if the effort to introduce yet another browser/organizer into this market would be worthwhile. It would be difficult to get folks like me (or the Lightroom crowd) to shift without some whiz-bang pain free feature that would automatically move everything we have from our current solution to something new and untried. Browser/organizer is basic fundamental infrastructure stuff. It's not like trying out a new noise elimination program that you can try & toss in a few minutes.

Glad you mentioned Lightroom.  I know they have a "crowd" and it's all in what you make yourself learn, I suppose.

Even though I get it free, I find it cumbersome.

And, don't get me wrong, IMatch is a power tool.  I switched to it when AXS went under abruptly.  IMatch drug in all my assorted databases and filters and I have been there ever since.   ;D