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August
14, 2005
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Newsletter
#14
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Welcome to the August issue of the Digital Photos 101 Newsletter.
It's the back-to-school" season already! Even though I've been out of school a long time, I still get that "only a few more weeks 'til school starts" feeling every year at this time. Well there is still time to enjoy the dog days of summer. This month we're really reaping the benefits of our spring plantings. I had the "bright" idea of planting three tomato plants in our yard this spring, case one or more didn't make it. The good news and bad news is that all are doing well, we have tomatoes coming out our ears, and now I'm trying to figure out creative ways to use them before they go bad!
Anyway, on to the newsletter. If you've had the chance to take a summer vacation or have been doing fun stuff with your kids, you've probably accumulated lots of photos. So I thought now would be a good time to review a new product for editing, organizing and sharing your photos, Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006. You'll find it has some great new features.
Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 Review
Digital Photo Service News, Sales
Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 - Review
One of the biggest assets of Digital Image Suite 2006 is its simple interface, which makes it easy for beginners, yet it is still powerful enough for more advanced users. For instance, you have fewer steps to go through to straighten and crop an image than you do in Photoshop Elements 3.0 (and I still think highly of Photoshop Elements, but it does have a steeper learning curve).
Here is what is new and improved in Digital Image Suite 2006:
- The Library has added support for hierarchical labels and keywords. Earlier versions let you group images by date or event, label them (i.e. Christmas), and a five-star rating system. Now you can add sub labels, such as "Hawaii Summer 2005" and "Disneyland Spring 2005" under "Vacations" and organize the keywords themselves. You can also flag images for things like "need editing," "need to print," etc.
- In thumbnail view, there is a new mouse-over view that offers a larger preview of an image along with image info such as date and keywords, all without opening the image in a new window.
- New Sharing Disc feature lets you burn a photo slide show disc. There is a wizard to walk you through it. You select the images and choose a recordable DVD/CD drive.
- Microsoft's Photo Story 3.1 is included. This excellent video slide-show utility has motion and music effects that gives you over 50 photo transitions, or types, that you can preview for any specific photos. The inclusion of Photo Story is a real plus and it is a step up from the video utility that comes with Photoshop Elements.
- Support for RAW image formats. Unfortunately it's only for Nikon and Canon cameras.
- Ability to download images to a mobile device such as a Pocket PC or portable media center.
Not much has changed with the editing side, although Microsoft has improved the panorama stitching and the new intuitive cropping feature automatically suggests a cropping rectangle. You have the option to move it or edit it or to use the regular cropping tool.
Bottom line: Digital Image Suite 2006 shines in its organizing and sharing features. Photoshop Elements still leads in the image editing department. However, Digital Image Suite 2006 is a very good overall software package that combines excellent organizational features with good editing tools. It is well designed with an easy interface that beginners, especially, will be happy with. I give it 3 1/2 stars. You can read my earlier review of Digital Image Suite 10 here.
Note: Regular retail price is around $99, but because it is new there are lots of sales and rebates available. See below.
Digital Photo Services News, Sales and Discounts
Software
Here are the current sales/promos on digital photo editing and organizing software:
Microsoft
Digital Image Suite 2006
Ulead
PhotoImpact 10 - photo editing software
- free 30-day trial available, or purchase the software for $69.99. PhotoImpact
10 is a very good image-editing suite for photo enthusiasts who want an
easy-to-use editing program with great results.
Photoshop
Elements 3
Corel
Paint Shop Pro 9
ACDSEE
7
- You can still buy it for $49.99 or take a free 30-day trial. This is
this excellent photo editing/management software to find, view, organize,
edit, print, and share your photos. What's nice is you get good editing
as well as organizing capabilities without having to buy two separate
programs.
Roxio
PhotoSuite 7 Platinum
Special offer, $29.95 versus regular price of $49.99, is still available.
This is easy-to-use photo editing software to Instantly correct common
photo problems. Create fun projects like calendars or holiday cards with
simple point-and-click process.
Cameras & Accessories
AMAZON is having a huge sale on digital
cameras, camera accessories, and camcorders and all binoculars, telescopes,
and security products. Everything under Camera and Photo is on sale. Hurry--this
sale ends August 22. Go to Amazon
GOOD GUYS: You can save 10% on digital camera web purchases of
$199+ and get free shipping on everything. Good Guys has not given an
expiration date on this promo. Go to
goodguys.com
- Digital Cameras
Digital Photo Printing Services
KODAK EASYSHARE GALLERY: Kodak
EasyShare Gallery.
is featuring a 20% discount on purchases through Sept 30. Use Coupon Code:
GLLERYAD20.
SNAPFISH: They're still offering
CHEAP 12 cents/print (10 cents with a bulk order). The quality is very
good, too. That's hard to beat, even with a shipping charge. New customers
also get 20 free prints. For details go to Snapfish.
SHUTTERFLY:
Save 20% on purchases of $20 or more through August 30. Use Coupon Cod
AFF8SAVE. Go to Shutterfly.
PHOTOWORKS: Get 25 free prints when
you sign up (free). Through August 31. Go to PhotoWorks.com
That's it for now. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Valerie Goettsch
www.digitalphotos101.com
How to get the best from your digital camera
To access prior newsletters: Click on this link.