Photo organizers are applications that scan your hard drive (and/or connected devices) for image files and then collect and catalog those pictures in a single place.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Q: Can you recommend a good program that will retrieve all the photos on my computer and store them in one place?
A: Photo organizers are applications that scan your hard drive (and/or connected devices) for image files and then collect and catalog those pictures in a single place. From that interface you can view, edit, organize and share your photos with just a few mouse clicks.
In the past, I've often recommended Google's Picasa program for this, as it was very easy to use and —even better— it was free. But unfortunately, Google discontinued support for Picasa in 2016.
If you still have a copy of that program sitting around, feel free to use it as it will still work in Windows 10 (you just can't get support for it).
If you don't, then consider signing up for a Google Photos account (photos.google.com), which works like a web-based version of Picasa (meaning, unlike a standalone program, you need to use it via a web browser). It's part of the Google Docs suite and comes with 5GB of free online storage to start with (additional memory must be purchased). Visit photos.google.com for more information or to set up an account.
If you prefer a standalone computer-based program that lets you store photos on your hard drive instead of the web, then start with the Microsoft Photos app in Windows 10.
Like the aforementioned Picasa program, this photo organizer scours the computer for pics and arranges all image files found in a long chronological (and searchable) list for you to browse through. From there, you can group photos as needed (for example, by event or date), share them via email or social media, edit them extensively and more. You also can use the program to import pics from external sources (digital camera, external drive) and create fun musical picture montages, among other fun features.
The Photos app often comes pre-installed on most Windows 10 machines. However if you don't see it in your Programs list, go to the Windows Store through your Start Menu, search for "Microsoft Photos," and download and install it from there — it's a free program too.
Yet another option is Phototheca 2, which is a robust and colorfully designed photo and video organizer. In addition to locating and sorting a variety of visual media files, you can also use it to import files from cameras, memory cards and smartphones, share files to various outposts (email, social media, etc.), insert image tags and keywords, and even remove image file duplicates in your collection if desired. Both free and various paid versions (which have added capabilities) can be downloaded from the following URL: https://lunarship.com/
Lastly, if you use a digital camera (rather than a smartphone), then know that nearly all digital cameras come packaged with a CD or a download link that includes both drivers for the device and a copy of the manufacturer's official imaging software. These programs are often tailor-made for importing, organizing and sharing photos taken by your digital camera, but they also can be used to catalog images already stored on your hard drive. See the user manual for more information.
Note: If your camera did not come with a photo program, then go to the manufacturer's site and see if you can download one from there, as most companies offer a free photo program for customer use these days.
Do you love hunting for bargains on sites like eBay and Craigslist but hate the disjointed nature of searching for those items across multiple sites? Then you'll enjoy the functionality of this handy site. At it, you can search for classified listings across a number of the web's top classified sites in a single search, including the aforementioned eBay and Craigslist. To use, simply fill in the blanks in the search tool provided, which asks for both your general location (zip code) and the type of items you're looking for. Then just follow the search results towards the listings that interest you and shop as usual from there. No more need to jump between sites for bargains anymore!