software to catalog images?

Hi,

I was wondering what programs people are using to catalog their images. I have reached a point where I need to start offloading images from my hard drive for space considerations. I have recently received Photoshop CS2, and have Thumbs Plus. Thumbs Plus will create it's own DB of keywords and will also edit the meta data. It looks like Bridge will only do the metadata, but I am looking for something that will know that an image is offline. Thumbs will do it as long as I put the images to DVD or CD prior to cataloging.

I looked at Paint Shop Pro prior to Thumbs Plus which would know that an image was copied offline, but I could never get the software to work, even with help from their support.

I don't know what the best software for that is (IMatch is very good, I hear), but I am curious as to whether that is a "real" Indian Chief in your avater?

There are many applications for cataloging your images; Photoshop Elements, ACDSee, IMatch, and iView come to mind right off the bat. There are many more also. You need to figure out what are the most important features for you and then get your hands on as many as you can and try them out before you buy. It took me quite a long time before I finally settled on iView.

It is a Harley, not sure which year, but a Knucklehead. Took the photo while on my honeymoon in Hawaii, on the island of Maui. The bike had an interesting history and the owners were really interesting to speak to.

I recommend portfolio by extensis.

Below is a link to an article I wrote for another photography site. The site hasnt officially launched, so the screenshots arent there, but you get the idea.
http://www.thebokeh.co​m/-howto/archiving/

Another program to consider would be Picasa. I've heard that it's a pretty good tool and it's free.

Cruzyn56,

I use Imatch for cataloging my images. It is a beautiful program, but you have to get used to it (a non standard userinterface).

If you want a more easier to use program, check in on IdImager.

Thanks all. I will look at some of the products mentioned. I tried Picassa and Picassa 2 and wasn't entirely happy with it. It is a great program for free though. Elements 2 came with my camera and I really thought it was a resource hog. I know it can do much more than just catalogue images, but I got tired of waiting for it to start up. Not sure if Elements 3 is better.

I started using Thumbs Plus at the recommendation of my cousin, but find now that the thumbnails from the raw plugin are very grainy compared to Bridge and am now on a quest for something better. Linux had a program called kimdaba which was just a catalog program with a db, simple. Of course Linux had its own dissadvantages in the world of imaging.

You might want to start by making a list of what is important to you and comparing it to what each application offers. I also highly recommend this book by Peter Krogh on Digital Asset Management. You'll probably find there are things that you haven't even considered that become very important to your individual workflow.

I use Where Is It?, which catalogs not only photos but just about any other file you have. Very powerful search capabilities.