PhotoExplorer 7.0

The colorful interface is deceptively simple; though the main options are easy enough to find and use, some neat tools are buried in the menu bars. The main screen shows pictures and screen shots organized by directory, and permits very simple additions, deletions, and reorganization. Files can be renamed, rotated, and annotated, then arranged in slide shows. Internet options are many and varied, from simple publication (using iMira.com or others) to the scanning of Web sites for pictures and video clips.

One disadvantage of Photo Explorer 7.0 that will concern more than a few users is its memory requirements. Though Ulead Systems (the manufacturer) says only 32 MB RAM is required, most users will want twice as much at minimum, as the software uses more than 30 MB for normal operation. This can lead to crashes if multiple programs are running, even on 128 MB machines. Still, users who aren't worried about RAM constraints will find the package a simple, powerful, and expedient way to collect and maintain digital media albums. --Rob Lightner

Product Description
Lets you visually organize, enhance and share all your digital photos. Instantly browse and share your images, video, MP3s and more. Perfect for digital photography and more!

PhotoExplorer works simply and effectively. You can create a slide show (extra benefit:pick slides from various folders), and then export it to a disk as a web page. Even better, it provides capability to give slides titles (different than the file name), and display them on the web page if desired. You can even rearrange order, and program will rename files to keep new order intact. And finally, you can edit each with FrontPage if you have it.

Great program! I've used the trial verson only two days, and have ordered the (inexpensive) full version. Buy it now!


Does Exactly What I Needed - Nice and Simple   September 2, 2001
46 out of 47 found this review helpful

I really love this product. It does exactly what I needed. I am not into advanced photo editing - but I did need some software to help organize my shots. Here's what I like about this application:

1. Easy to capture and organize files: I can quickly retreive photes from my camera's memory card. The software will ask me what directory to save in, and then it gives me the option to rename the files into something sensible (I don't know about you, but I find those code names that the camera assigns to files to be pretty annoying - this let's me get around that very simply and automatically).

2. It provides basic photo editing and retouching capabilities. Nothing advanced, but it handles 99.9% of what I need.

3. Web pages: I didn't expect to use this feature at all. I was just looking to organize files on my hard drive. The truth is, it is SOOO easy to create good looking web pages in about 3 minutes, that I couldn't resist. It actually almost happened by itself as I was playing around with the software. The "html" files created by the program took about 5 minutes to upload to Geocities (or whatever host you care to use).

4. Printing: It is now very easy to print in a variety of useful formats. I don't have to worry about the image file size. I just tell the software how I want the page to look. You can't go wrong if you tried.

All in all, this inexpensive program has totally made digital photography a much more fun and convenient thing. I recommend it highly.