What's The Recommended Software Now?

[kkovak]

Having read (most of) the DAM book, I am under the impression that the recommended software was Iview.  Now that it's been bought buy Big Brother, I get the impression that it is no longer the favored package.  So what would be?

I have a full  version of CS3 and am comfortable in my work flow for converting and manipulating my images.   My Raw image portfolio is only ~ 2,000 images so I think I need to get into full digital asset management soon.  But, I don't know where to go next.  Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Ken

[danaltick]

Ken,

For serious digital asset management with the DNG workflow, iView is still the preferred app.  I don't have familiarity with it, but idImager I think is a strong contender as well.  Of course who knows what could happen by the end of the year.  I know Microsoft and Adobe are not sitting still.

Dan

[peterkrogh]

Ken,
You might try Lightroom if you don't have a disorganized collection of imagess to sort out.  A collection of your size should work pretty well with it, and it has many of the features in iView.

Since you call Microsoft Big Brither, I'm assuming you're on a Mac, which means the choices are limited - Lightroom, iView/Expression, Aperture. 

I still feel iView/Expression os the best asset manager out there.

Peter

[kkovak]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply.  No, I am not on a MAC, I run on Win XP Pro.  I am just not fond of MS programming.  So it sounds like Lightroom is the best choice.  I'll have to give it a look.

Ken

[havezet]

So it sounds like Lightroom is the best choice

  Have you read the recommendations from Dan and Peter? While LR is a good RAW converter withsome DAM capabilities, it is not among best DAM tools out there. Dan and Peter both recommend iView/EM.

On Windows you have more options than on MacOS. The most relevant contenders in the DAM market for Windows right now are: iView/EM, IDimager, iMatch, and ACDSee Pro. Working with DAM is very personal. What works very good for one user is a horror for another user. try them all and pick what feels best for *you*.

Hert

[keven]

I still feel iView/Expression is the best asset manager out there.

Peter

I have both iView and MS Expression but have yet to embark with either.  I have thousands of images on Picasa but I've used it only as a stop gap measure for my indecision.  (It's easy to view them in this consumer freebie),  I also have Portfolio 7 (from several years ago)  but I didn't find it intuitive to use.  I have not yet tagged or keyworded any files.  I want to start right and aaaggghhhh, here I am.  I got iView and then MS bought it.  Should I just bite the bullet and use Expression or go with the (unsupported, I think)  iView?  I am a fine art photographer with other casual files as well.  I use XP Pro, CS3.  I'm shooting RAW and JPG files. I'm thinking of future stock use if I ever get organized (travel, abstract) but it's for my own portfolio images and possible portfolio images that I need to catalog.

I'm also looking for some online backup storage.  I don't need to sell (I use SmugMug and galleries), just want to protect my inventory.  Anyone got some good recommendations for about a terabyte of storage for both images and docs?

Anyone have any brilliant ideas for me?  Thanks!

Keven

[peterkrogh]

Ken,
since you have iView/expression, just start with those.

As to online storage, I don't think you'll find afforable, reliable storage that won't take forever to upload/download.  You're better off buying another drive and keeping it offsite.
Peter