If you want to try Windows Vista without downloading it, you
by going to this site:
http://www.windowsvistatestdrive.com/
The following is from Gael Miller:
“These are the two sites I use to check download speed that seem to be the better.
http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/”
IRFANVIEW, AN OVERVIEW
What is IrfanView?
Freeware created by Irfan Skiljan
Image viewer
Image Editor
Operates fast
Deals with wide variety of image formats
Runs slide shows and plays videos and sounds
Handles batch conversions
More than adequate but not to standard of programs like Pro Show Gold, Roxio Photosuite, Photoshop
Where do you get it?
http://www.irfanview.com/ (Effects, Icons, Mpg, Slideshow-EXE and Video)
Download and plug-ins also (.EXE file)
Can choose to put a shortcut on Desktop
How can I learn to use it?
Do a Web search using “tutorial IrfanView”; many good sites available
A good tutorial: http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/schools/media/irfanv.htm
How does it handle extensions?
When you download it check desire extension(s)
Open Properties: Options menu> Extensions tab or P key
How do you open Files?
Click on picture file if IrfanView associated with the extension
File menu> Open
Navigate with left and right arrows on Toolbar if files are in a folder
To open all at once: File menu> thumbnails> double click to open
Can use Delete key if desired
Display Images?
Open single image: File> Open (O key)
Open all files: File> Thumbnails: File> Open> select directory which contains file> click on file to a file separately or Delete file(s) as desired
Slide show?
File menu> Slideshow
Select desire directory containing Pictures
Can use Look in and File name in search
Click Pictures desired
Sort button via name, date, size or extension; ascending or descending
Note the many options
Click Play to begin
Can be saved for future use
Can be created outside of IrfanView, then loaded once you open the viewer
Keyboard shortcuts
Zoom in on image: + Display Thumbnails: T
Zoom out of image - Display Help: F1
Open Batch conversion dialog B Open Rename/Create: F6
Open Capture Setup: C Display Slideshow: W
Display Image properties: I Display next file: Space
Display Open dialog: P Display previous file: Backspace
Effects
Image menu> Effects
3D
Emboss
Edge Dectection
Pixelize
Fine Rotation
Adding Digital Photos
Easiest: copy & paste into document
Setting Properties?
Options menu> Properties or P key
Choose Grayscale for faster opening
Extensions set to associated with IrfanView
File Handling tab to copy/move files
Viewing tab e.g. Zoom as desired
Misc. tabs e.g. Undo
Help Menu
Menu bar or F1
Index is useful for searching
Very easy to follow
Resizing
Image menu> Resize and follow dialogue then OK
Several choices
Rotating
Image menu
Rotate Left or Right (image turns 90 degrees)
Horizontal Flip (image turns as in a mirror)
Vertical Flip (image turns upside-down)
Cropping
Done to eliminate unwanted space or to center badly composed picture
Outline area with left mouse button> Edit menu then Crop
Can be used with Resample to eliminate background “noise”
Wallpaper
Options Menu> Set as Wallpaper (Centered, Tiled and Previous Wallpaper)
Saving
File menu> Save As (file name and directory desired)
Can save as a different type with “Save as”
Options button: three tabs JPEG/GIF, LWF, and TIFF
Renaming Files
File menu> Rename File (can move to new location if desired)
Full Screen Options
View Menu> Full screen (spacebar for next image and backspace for previous)
To cancel: Enter or Esc key
Options menu> Properties> Viewing tab> click box next to Use ‘Resample’ for ‘Fit To Desktop’ and Full Screen mode
Other options can be set from Properties Viewing tab
Another option: Hide mouse cursor
Final option: Show image filename