Another question about IPTC data

I am testing out a few apps for cataloging images and have found that they do not see the IPTC information the same. I mainly use Camera Raw or Rawshooter Premium to work with my raw images so I am not interested so much in the editing ability of the programs as I am in the cataloging.

I have been reading the Real World Camera Raw book where the author suggests that one of the first thing to do is to update the IPTC info with copyright data etc, using Bridge. I did this on a test raw image, then viewed the image in IMatch, IdImage and ThumbsPlus. IdImage was the only app to show the changes I had made. I then edited IPTC info for another file in IMatch. Most of it appeared in ThumbsPlus, none in IdImage or Bridge.

I would imagine that it might be because Bridge is storing much of the info in the XMP sidecar file and IdImage is able to read it. But it is strange how even the basic copyright info does not get passed. Is this normal for one program to not see IPTC updates made by another?

My other question would be which one to trust? I suppose that the IPTC info is not really needed in programs that use a db and a naming structure to track the files as opposed to searching on the keywords.

I use XnView for this purpose. Freeware, fast and does the job. There's a paid deluxe version as well.

I use iView MediaPro so I can't speak to your particular situation, but not all cataloging applications automatically synchronize metadata (IVMP included); you have to specifically request it to.