I create my own folders on my computer and save the photos where I want to categorize them. I have a huge amount of photos in folders by date, by subject, by name, etc. You can make up any kind of photo storage folder names that you want on your computer.

I never use any of those organizing/storage programs, either. All my photos are put in file folds that I set up and organize myself. As you have already found, Pistil, these fancy programs become obsolete, and/or morphing into the next big thing is maddening.

I use PhotoFiltre (free). It's pretty intuitive. (I have yet to find a manual for it in English, so it has to be. ) But I don't think it is any better or worse than Irfanview; it's just the one I became familiar with first.

Bonehead, if you want to know where your pics are being saved to, take note of the name of the photo file before it saves it. Then when it does, you can search for that file name, right click on the found icon, and select properties. It will tell you there where the pic is located in your computer.

You should not be using any software to store, organize photos. Do it yourself. Simple and foolproof. Get organized. Those softwares are notorious for creating duplicate pix, storing things in strange places, etc. Create folders based on what you take pix of. Most of my students have folders like: Friends, Family, House, Trips, Pets, Work, Nature. Then within each there will be subfolders. Under nature you might have: flowers, trees, animals, weather. Get organized. Gene

@Bonehead, Deb ...

I am coming to this conversation late as I have just purchased a new computer with a Linux operating system, which I love. I am now out of the Microsoft greed cycle.

My computer did come pre-loaded with a lot of software, but this operating system is specifically designed to take advantage of open sourced software that can be downloaded from the Internet free, so I am not going to have to continuously be upgrading my operating system and software going forward. The hardware has sufficient power to handle future technology changes for a long, long time. That works for someone on a fixed income with a finite amount of money in retirement savings. I have other things to spend my savings on other than new technology now that I am no longer a power user.

I am not particularly pleased with the photo editing software that came with my computer or it's native file organization, so I have been searching for both online.

My first step was to find a safe site where I can download from that was rated as a "secure" site. Now, I am evaluating the various programs available to me. Many are available free for various iterations of Windows, too.

btw ... I backed up all of my photos to a dedicated thumb drive so that I have them saved in one place after I converted to the new computer.

Before downloading and testing a new program, I suggest you do a back up of your computer. If you don't like the program, you can always uninstall it. Also, check out the website before downloading anything and read reviews on Google. It really helps.

This site gives you a list of trusted sites for downloading freeware:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/9...

This is the site I have been using to identify photo editing sites and photo organization sites for my new computer:

http://www.snapfiles.com/

I haven't decided which program will work best for me, yet. I am still testing them.

I need to get outside and get some work done.

I hope this helps.

I strongly suggest that you do not use any site for organizing your photos. No software needed just do it yourself ! Gene

Gene ...

What works for you may not work for everyone. Can you tell me why you strongly suggest that I do not download any site for organizing my photos if I do not like how my Linux system file organizing system organizes my files ?

I'm still using Picasa every day (the Windows program), not the Picasa Web Albums. I will cling to it until it is no longer functional or something comparable comes along. I've seen nothing else that even comes close to meeting my photo needs. There are still throngs of people complaining online daily about Google dumping it. Can't download it directly from Google anymore, but others have made it available.

I use it extensively for captions, keyword and gps tags, facial recognition and face tags, and then sorting, searching, and creating with that data. I also use it for basic edits, touch-ups, crops, adjustments, exporting copies, or e-mailing them. It still works for simply uploading pictures and albums to Google Photos for backing them up and sharing with others. The sync functions still kind of work, but can be problematic at times. I can use Picasa Starter to make custom buttons in the program that run scripts through EXIFtool for more advanced functions. Google abandoned the Picasa program telling everyone to just use Google Photos (the website and app) for everything, and to do everything in the cloud. That's like telling people they could just replace their car with a skateboard.

Also another thumbs up for IrfanView. I have used that a lot for batch processing photos. It is a very powerful yet quick program for edits and viewing. Not quite as simple as Picasa though. Many use Gimp too, it's like the freeware version of Photoshop. I never took the time learn it and just occasionally use my VERY old Corel Photo-Paint for some "photoshop" type things since I already know how to use it. I have also heard good things about FastStone Image Viewer, but haven't tried it out yet myself.

When I "upgraded" from Windows 7 to Windows 10, I immediately went in and disabled all of its attempts to manage my pictures. I hate that stuff. When it does the forced Windows updates though I've found it often sneakily adds in more automatic "helpful" things that I don't want it messing with. I've been eying Linux Mint as a possible future alternative lately to Windows. What Linux did you go with @RoseBlush1?

General rule - do not use software when it is not needed. Organizing your photos is something you should be doing yourself. I teach a 3 hour class on this. Organizing softwares are notorious for creating duplicates, storing things in strange places = disorganization. Gene

@molanic ...

I went with the Linux Mint. The conversion was almost seamless. The computer, a tower, cost $79.00 ! and came loaded with an office suite along with a lot of other software. I didn't have to buy a new monitor, a new keyboard, a new mouse, a new printer. MS 10 did not support my printer or monitor. Geesh.

I ended up getting a router and a smart TV so I can play on the net in the next room.

I used to use PaintShopPro on my XP and loved it. There is a version for Linux, but I'd have to purchase it, so I thought I'd check out the freeware first. There is an old version of Photoshop that is free and is supposed to be compatible that I am going to check out.

The first site I listed above has some tips on how to disable a lot of the Windows 10 updates. You might want to check that out.

I just didn't want to be owned by MS and that's why I went to Linux. The only thing I don't like is the file structure in the tree, but I think I can find a way to work around that. I've only had the computer for a short time.

I am kind of a privacy freak and just don't want MS in my life.

gasrocks said:General rule - do not use software when it is not needed. Organizing your photos is something you should be doing yourself. I teach a 3 hour class on this. Organizing softwares are notorious for creating duplicates, storing things in strange places = disorganization. Gene

Gene ... I understand about creating duplicates, but can you address the issue about file structure ? I had zero problems organizing my files on XP. I don't like the way the new computer file structure works, so I am looking for something that works better.

Since you teach a class, maybe you can give me a more specific answer.

Lyn - would that I could. A 3 hour class is hard for me (a lousy typist) to recreate here. I have a system that I use that assures me that every pix I have ever taken has a unique number/name on it. You organize your pix by what folder/subfolder you put them in. Not by their name. Ask me more if you like. Gene

A very simple photo program is Pixlr. It was recommended for making banners here on the site, and it's very easy to use. I'm not great with technology and I was able to make the banners very easily with this program.
https://pixlr.com/express/

Gene ...

Naming the files is not the issue. It's how the folders are arranged on the tree in the system that drives me nuts. I cannot see the whole tree at one time, nor can I see the sub-folders.

I use a card reader to load my photos onto my computer. The first upload is unedited photos, which are time stamped by the camera. I rename them adding the date, subject and photo number ... I often take multiple photos of one subject.

I then create folders to sort the unedited photos by subject. The only photos that I put in those folders are the ones that I think I might want to edit and upload at a future date. My editing is very minimal because I want the camera to do most of the work. It's mostly cropping and minor photo enhancement.

I have an NGA folder with a listing of the threads that I participate in and will copy the photos that I intend to upload to those folders and do my editing there and upload from there. On the new computer, I can't see the whole tree, so I can't see what I have where.

Since the initial upload is organized by year and by date, I can go back to previous years and do comparisons. For my purposes, it lets me see how things are progressing in the garden and helps with planning for the coming season.

I'll also create "work" folders for planning purposes.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it's incredibly organized and I know exactly where I am as I am working and can walk away and come back and know exactly what I have done and still have to do with the photos. It works for me. However, with the new computer, I can't seem to work this way.

I've left out a lot of steps because as you've said, boiling down a long process to one post isn't all that easy ... , but I think you get the idea that what I am working with is quite awkward.

RoseBlush1 said:Gene ...

Naming the files is not the issue. It's how the folders are arranged on the tree in the system that drives me nuts. I cannot see the whole tree at one time, nor can I see the sub-folders.

Hi Lyn,

I can't suggest a solution off the top of my head, but I do know that viewing the folder tree (similar to Windows Explorer) is possible in Linux. The only key difference between Windows and Linux is that Linux doesn't have drive letters; CD/DVD drives are mounted under "/media" whilst everything else is usually under "/mnt" or in your home directory ("/home/yourusername/").

If you search for file explorers / managers for Linux, I'm sure you'll be able to identify one that works for you.

One more vote for Gimp. And for Mac users I'd suggest Luminar.

@p1jakub ...

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I have been running away from the computer to get spring work done both outside and inside.

Thank you for the suggestion. I did look at Gimp. I also looked at Pinta. I know I can learn to use both. Gimp does look powerful, but it certainly seems to have a longer learning curve than the one I was used to on my old computer.

I only use the photo editing to compensate for what is lacking in my old primitive digital camera. I truly want the camera to do the work and don't want to doctor my photos much. That's another learning curve for my newer camera.

I've learned the Linux file system so I can set things up the way I like them, so that is no longer an issue.

For now, I've been using my XP as a stand alone and using my old editing program and then transferring my photos over to the Linux. What a hassle.

I think as more people migrate away from Microsoft, there will be more options in the future. It's just right now, Gimp does seem to be the best choice, but it is an awkward software for me.

Again, thank you.

RoseBlush1 said:@p1jakub ...

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I have been running away from the computer to get spring work done both outside and inside.

Thank you for the suggestion. I did look at Gimp. I also looked at Pinta. I know I can learn to use both. Gimp does look powerful, but it certainly seems to have a longer learning curve than the one I was used to on my old computer.

I only use the photo editing to compensate for what is lacking in my old primitive digital camera. I truly want the camera to do the work and don't want to doctor my photos much. That's another learning curve for my newer camera.




I've learned the Linux file system so I can set things up the way I like them, so that is no longer an issue.

For now, I've been using my XP as a stand alone and using my old editing program and then transferring my photos over to the Linux. What a hassle.

I think as more people migrate away from Microsoft, there will be more options in the future. It's just right now, Gimp does seem to be the best choice, but it is an awkward software for me.

Again, thank you.

It's ok, we're all busy with our gardens now)

To tell the truth, I have no idea how to work with Linux, never even had an opportunity to try.
Yes, Apple is the future. I'm not a fan, but I recognize its advantages among other device manufacturers.
How was Pinta? Is it easier to use?

I am so glad I don't use Microsoft .

As a long time MS user, I just don't want to learn a new operating system. Just bought a new inexpensive PC to replace a poorly performing one. Wish me luck.

@p1jakub, Jakub

I chose to go with Linux / ubuntu because I didn't want to be held hostage by Microsoft or Apple.

So far, I think the weakest area is in photography, but as more users migrate away from Microsoft, I think that is going to change.

Pinta is OK for light editing. I still don't like it as well as my old software. Pinta is far more user friendly than GIMP. The only thing I have against GIMP is the longer learning curve. I also don't think it is very intuitive.