Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Photo Organizing Software.

Ratings

Feature Set

Top photo organizers include customizable ways to organize and view images, a capable set of editing/enhancing tools and innovative ways to share your pictures.

Ease of Use

You should not have to be a professional photographer or computer operator to use photo organizers. Functions and features should be easy to use the first time.

Ease of Installation

The best programs load quickly and do not cause errors or problems with your computer.

Help/Support

Product and technical support are important and contribute to the usability of a product. Exceptional support includes inter–program help and tutorials as well as online FAQs, a searchable knowledge base, user forums and email and telephone support.

Importing

Digital Cameras

The program can download pictures stored on a digital camera.

Scanner

Allows imports from a scanner.

Removable Media (CD, Smart Card, USB Mass Storage Devices)

Can import photos from files stored on portable/removable devices.

Organizing

File Browser

Can browse folders on the hard drive, in the program or from a secondary device and supports the ability to create new folders.

Organize by Category

The program will allow you to assign a category type to the photo or folder for easy retrieval.

Organize by Calendar Date

The program can assign a calendar date to the photo or folder.

Organize by Keyword

Keywords can be applied to the photo or folder of photos to facilitate quick searches.

Rate Your Photos

Photos can be rated by quality or other method such as tagging.

Sort Thumbnails

Has the ability to arrange and sort thumbnails by preferences, such as by date, photo size or type and so on.

Create Projects (Greeting Card, Calendar, Certificates, etc)

Program has the ability to create unique photo projects.

Editing

Cropping

You can remove unwanted sections of an image.

Color Management

Color enhancements include brightness, hue, contrast and more. Each program offers a different set of color editing abilities.

Red Eye Removal

Often a one–click edit, which removes red–eye from subjects.

Editable Text

Text can be added and edited. Not the same as captions, more like notes.

On Screen Text Entry

Text added directly over a photo with real–time visuals.

Rotate

Images can be “turned” generally in 90–degree increments.

Flip

Images can be flipped left or right.

Resize

Images can be resized, while maintaining image integrity.

Adjust Date Taken

“Date taken” dates can be changed.

Zoom

The program can zoom in making the photo smaller. There are several different ways this can be accomplished, some programs allow zoom continuously, some zoom incrementally and others go from large to small.

Pan

The program will allow you to pan out making the photo larger; some programs allow you to pan continuously, others incrementally.

Effects

Add Audio

Music, commentary or sound clips can be added to folders, slide shows or individual images.

Panoramic Photos

Consecutive or corresponding images can be blended together to form one panoramic image.

Collage

A decorative page incorporating several photos.

Add a Border

A colored or decorative border can be added to photos.

Add a Frame

Frame templates can be added.

Add Photo Edge

You can add creative edges such as corners, brushed designs, and more.

Convert to Black and White

Color images can be changed to black and white.

Convert to Sepia

Images can have sepia added, which gives your photos a 19th–century look with a warm brown tone.

Special Effects

Many programs offer unique special effects, like convert to painting or digitize or morphing.

Sharing

E-mail Sharing

The program enables users to send photos, albums or collections via email.

Burn CDs

A feature that can burn CDs of your photos, albums and collections as a slide show.

Web Photo Galleries

Pictures can be uploaded and published in a web gallery.

Slide Shows

Many programs offer a feature that can help you create unique slide shows of your images, often with sound, templates and backgrounds. Some programs can manage PowerPoint presentations as well as movies.

Cell Phones, PDAs

Images can be taken from or downloaded to a cell phone or other device.

Printing Templates

Templates used for printing, such as per page or size options.

Export to Online Photo Services

The program can send your pictures to an online photo printing service where you can choose to transfer images to t–shirts, mugs, cakes or many other subjects. See our photo printing review site.

Screen Saver

Has the ability to format screen savers from your images.

Wallpaper

Can create wallpapers from your pictures.

Output Capabilities

Number of File Formats Supported

The total number of file formats the program claims to support.

PDF

Portable Document Format (PDF) created by Adobe Systems, Inc. uses the PostScript printer description language and is highly portable across computer platforms. PDF documents have a .pdf file extension (myfile.pdf)

Image Optimizing for Web

If the program supports web galleries or web page creation, it will allow you to optimize your photos for best results when displaying your photos online.

Animated GIFs

A type of GIF image that can be animated by combining several images into a single GIF file. Applications that support the animated GIF standard, GIF89A, cycle through each image. GIF animation doesn’t give the same level of control and flexibility as other animation formats but it has become popular since it is supported by nearly all browsers. In addition, animated GIF files tend to be much smaller that other animation files, such as Java applets.

Web Tools (links, etc.)

The program links to web sites for enhancing and editing advice. Some sites also offer an area where you can share your photos.

Help/Support

Phone Support

Manufacturer offers technical support by telephone.

Email Address

Manufacturer offers technical support by email.

Paid Tech Support - Phone Line

Registered users can access paid technical support.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions can answer many common questions.

Knowledge Base

Usually searchable, users can enter in keywords and search through applicable topics.

Tutorials

Step-by-step guides that instruct how to use a particular feature.

User Forum

Manufacturer hosts an online forum where users can share their experiences and advice.

Getting Started Guide

A tutorial for first–time users.

Help Ticket

Similar to an email form, except a number is assigned to a specific inquiry, so that support can be monitored.

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