Sapphires you should indeed download and install the plug ins for Irfanview.

Regarding file associations this is entirely a personal preference. If you are happy with how your images are displayed now click 'No' to all. This does not affect your ability to use Irfanview at all. By clicking 'Yes' all associations will be moved to Irfanview and you may not be too happy with that.

Owbist,
Thank you very much, will do as advised as I like the way everything is now.
Sapphires

Sapphires,
I agree...download and install the plugins.

Afterwards, go to the Irfanview Toolbar and click on
"Options", "Properties" and then "Extensions".
Select these extensions:
JPG/JPEG
BMP
GIF

Now, all files with those extensions will open with
Irfanview. If you don't like it, just go back into
"Options" and undo them.

I love Irfanview for being this easy to use. :)
txKen

I posted on your other thread the easiest way is to simply use the zamzar online converter no need to install anything
Zamzar.com - Free online file conversion

Thank you all so much. I know I rely alot on the good people here. I have come to trust you all so much. A great group of informative, helpful and educated here. Just want to give kudos to those that give in ALL these forums.

Sapphires

you are very welcome, for me personally it is always great to hear a thank you. If not for great people that helped me along the way I would not know very much so I am happy to give back any way I can. Just passing it forward!

raven -- Zamzar -- nice tip, thanks.

I too appreciate the generousity and guidance here. I am back from vacation and looking forward to the time to do many other useful things that were suggested to me a week ago (like getting firefox).

I also want to get Infranview. TxKen suggested using certain extensions. I have a friend who's a photographer and he's given me some great photos I'd like to view in Infranview. They are all .tif files. Can I view those in Infranview as well?

And here's a more basic question - when I hook my olympus camedia camera to the computer, should I download the pictures onto my computer using Infranview?

Thanks.
Lynn.

ok first lets make sure everyone is clear and gets the correct program it is IRfanview. Here is the correct site for it.
http://www.irfanview.com/index.htm

with so many rogue nasties out there copying names trying to confuse people I always like to make sure we are all on the same page.

Lynn, you can do it how ever you choose, personally when I want to put my pics from my camera on my pc I take out the memory card, stick it in my memory card reader (can be bought real cheap plugs into usb port) and just bam take them from the card to the pc super simple super quick. But that is my way. I do not like to put extra software on my pc if I don't have to so I just never put my camera software on it, I have everything I need on the pc and IRfanView does a great job.

lynnalexandra,
Yes...just look at the list in Irfanview, and select 'tif'.

I use as little software as possible.
I don't even use "My Computer".
I use Windows Explorer.
In XP, Windows Explorer is located in:
Start>Programs>Accessories....
Right click it, and create a shortcut on your desktop.
Then, use Windows Explorer and when it opens, you will
see everything on your computer, not just one thing at a time as you would if you used 'My Computer'.

Now, with Windows Explorer open, I look down the list on the left, and find the item I've plugged in...a dock, a camera etc., and then click to open and I have access to all the 'stuff' on the plug-in item.
I click and drag what I need to a folder on my hard drive.
Then, I can acces those files.

It's second nature to me...might be confusing for some..but it's a much better way than trying to manage all the software that comes with added products.

Hope this helps..
txKen

Thanks Raven and Ken. Thanks for correcting the name of the program Irfanview. I never even thought of a memory card reader (or realized why I'd want one). My Canon printer has one, but I gather that is just to put photos directly for printing and viewing on the printer's lcd - not to get it to my computer (although my printer is on a wireless network with the computer).

Ken - I think I can handle selecting .tif. The rest of that is great info, but I'll have to give it a try to see if I understand it.

Lynn.

Posted by txken (My Page) on Sun, Aug 3, 08 at 7:49
In XP, Windows Explorer is located in:
Start>Programs>Accessories....

txken,
You can also, Right click start, click on Explore.

Urlee

As I use Windows Explorer every day I keep an icon on my Quicklaunch bar.

Nice tip, Urlee!

I'm a photographer who downloads 600-800 photos every week and I have never downloaded via the camera. Its really not a good idea anyway because the camera has to be on and if you are using the camera battery it could run out before your done. Nothing damages a memory card faster! Its always best to use a card reader or like I do use the card reader built into my HP computer. I could go directly to the drive in "My Computer", but I perfer the Windows "Scanner and Camera Wizard" which comes up automatically when I insert a card reader, memory card or flash drive. With the Wizard I can name the photos myself instead of using the generic letters and numbers the camera give them. I use dates like today it would be 80408- and when they are downloaded to the folder of my choice they start at 001 and go on from there. It makes it so easy to keep track of all my photos that way and when I took them.

Just another way of organizing and downoading photos that is simple to do.

BTW, If you do have a printer with card slots to print photos then the software installed on your computer should also allow you to download photos too which I have, but perfer using the S&C Wizzard instead ;o)

msm84 (My Page) on Tue, Aug 5, 08 at 0:41
I'm a photographer who downloads 600-800 photos every week and I have never downloaded via the camera. Nothing damages a memory card faster! Its always best to use a card reader or like I do use the card reader built into my HP computer.

I disagree.
When I had Windows 98, I used to ALWAYS DL my photos using a USB cable from camera to computer with an adaptor plugged into the camera so not to drain the batteries which I loved the best. All set up for that.

I had trouble getting my camera software program to work on XP so have to resort to "pulling" the card out of the camera each time to insert into the memory slot of my computer (same as using card reader) which I think is more damaging to the memory card as it is "wear & tear" leaving scratches on it.
Leaving it in the camera is easier on the card.
I never had trouble where now I have to be so careful in pulling & pushing in and out not only from the camera, but the memory slot as well, which is harder on the card. Stands to reason.
I damaged a card by doing it that way opposed to years of doing it from the camera with no problem.
More work involved the camera way but worth not damaging a card over.
Urlee

Well said, Urlee.....
And that is why I just download from the camera.
I've never seen any damage from it.
txKen

You misunderstood what I was saying. If you download directly from the camera and the battery dies, the camera will shut off well the photos are being transferred to the computer. That is what ruins the card! Not downloading directly from the camera.

Sorry you miss understood me.

I might add that almost every photography forum I have ever visited always recommends downloading photos using a card reader. Here is one photography site that explains it with a simple to understand explanation.

Here is a link that might be useful: Downloading Photos

msm84,

My sincere apologies. I reread and seen Quote:"Its really not a good idea anyway because the camera has to be on and if you are using the camera battery it could run out before your done".Nothing damages a memory card faster!
Sorry I misunderstood and responded as such.

Sorry txKen for misleading you too and thanks for your reply which meant well to what I said.

Urlee

Urlee and msm84,
Sorry about the misunderstanding.
txKen

I have always removed the memory card and put it in a card reader to get my pics from there to my pc. I too was told it was the best way to do it by a professional photographer friend of mine.I Never install the software, the last thing I need is more junk on my pc.
I just find it the easiest method and it eliminates the camera from the entire equation/process which to me seems like just one added component that is not needed.
I have a stand alone usb card reader that is plugged into a usb hub on top of my desk so it is very easy to plug the card in and out. I have never had one fail or damaged.
Plus it eliminates the need to plug a usb cable into the port on the camera which can also be damaged pretty easily.
It just works well for me, simple and fast, the way I like it.

urlee and TxKen, No problem :o)

Guess I just didn't explain things well enough in my first post. If your just downloading a few photos at a time to the computer your method probably works just fine for you both, but on a larger scale its best to always use a card reader. Just make sure you have a fully charged battery in your camera if you choose to download directly from the camera. Better to be safe then sorry ;o)

MsM84

One important thing to remember when you have finished transferring photos using a card reader is to instantly put the card back in the camera. Very frustrating to start taking photos only to realise the card is at home in the computer LOL.

I make sure I do that before I view my photos.

Good point owbist *lol* I've never had that problem, but I do have alot of 1 gig cards in my camera bag (never liked to keep all my eggs in one basket). I have forgot to grab my extra battery I had plugged in charging :o(

Its taught me to take an extra look around my office before I leave on a 2 hour trip north to the race track where I'm a photographer ((grin))