reccommendation for easiest/user freindly photo software?

My mother has gotten into digital photography...she loves her rebel has taken 5000+ pictures since she got her camera about a year ago.

I need the easiest program for
Organizing,
backing up
simple edits...(maybe autoleveling, some cropping) right now she doesn't edit at all.
Sharing easily on facebook...and I'm going to set her up with a flikr account as well.
Makes printing easy.

Problem is that she has her own laptop, decent speed, about 1 1/2 yrs old. But she is afraid of breaking her computer...loosing her pictures...she has them backed up on her laptop, on an external hard drive...and she keeps the original SD card in a plastic baggy...and buys a new card (i know)

I'll have a few days to teach her...and then can Remote desktop to do some additional "classes" with her. I know she loves using her camera, but the files give her anxiety afterwards...usually every time I see her she brings the SD cards so we can look at the pictures she's taken.

She won't take classes....She knows how to use a PC...but takes her time, she doesn't want to mess up, and I think is embarassed that she isn't an expert.

I'm looking for the "magic photo software" Any advice?

Thanks.

bentlax33 wrote in post #13614037
My mother has gotten into digital photography...she loves her rebel has taken 5000+ pictures since she got her camera about a year ago.

I need the easiest program for
Organizing,
backing up
simple edits...(maybe autoleveling, some cropping) right now she doesn't edit at all.
Sharing easily on facebook...and I'm going to set her up with a flikr account as well.
Makes printing easy.

Problem is that she has her own laptop, decent speed, about 1 1/2 yrs old. But she is afraid of breaking her computer...loosing her pictures...she has them backed up on her laptop, on an external hard drive...and she keeps the original SD card in a plastic baggy...and buys a new card (i know)

I'll have a few days to teach her...and then can Remote desktop to do some additional "classes" with her. I know she loves using her camera, but the files give her anxiety afterwards...usually every time I see her she brings the SD cards so we can look at the pictures she's taken.

She won't take classes....She knows how to use a PC...but takes her time, she doesn't want to mess up, and I think is embarassed that she isn't an expert.

I'm looking for the "magic photo software" Any advice?

Thanks.

Google Picasa works well for quick & easy. Thats what my mom uses.

I'd say Picasa and then for something with more capabilities Photoshop Elements. Get her started with Picasa. Also, the Canon ZoomBrowser software has some basic editing.

Mom's are very tough to teach. Remember the AOL guy that used to run when AOL was loading or updating something. My mom would get tired of watching it and turn off the computer.

If your mom is a little more sophisticated, I'd recommend Aperture (mac) $80 or LR. They are both much cheaper now and the basics are very e z to learn. Both products will grow with her.