PhotoFiltre V6.2.7

Keywords: Image Retouching Graphics Photo Freeware PortableApps PhotoFiltre

There are many photo retouching applications out there, but none, not even Picasa, are as lightweight and easy to use as PhotoFiltre. (website here)

One of the things I dislike about Picasa is that it, by default, wants to search your computer for photos. After all, it is first and foremost a picture cataloger. Sometimes I only want to correct one photo and do it quickly.

Though there is a shareware version of PhotoFiltre, known as the Studio (25 Euros), enabling layer management and some additional features, the freeware version is just the ticket for carrying along with you on your USB drive and running on the fly. The program loads quickly, has an intuitive interface and unlike many photo utilities, does not require a great deal of experience to operate. The installation file can be directed to any application folder including a flash drive and does not write settings to the XP registry, which means you can take it with you and use it on any PC without leaving tracks or messing up someone else's registry.

Check the website for a separate download of various plug-ins that you can unzip to where ever you installed PhotoFiltre and benefit from features like red eye removal, RGB layering, mirroring and other effects.

This app is a must for anyone that casually deals with digital photos.

Mike Moore

Alive Screensaver

It is really tough to find a screensaver these days that doesn't come bundled with adware or nagging screens to buy this or that. In fact, screensavers are among a class of programming that I normally tell people to stay away from!

And some argue that we don't even need screen savers any more since many are using modern video technology that won't burn in images over time.

But this one's a real gem and does not appear to "call home" or display any other nefarious internet behavior, and of course it's free. It does not modify any setting in the registry that I can tell, so use it as a portable application if you need to.

Here's your link: ALIVE

Another fine product from the folks at FreeStone Group.

The messages that are displayed on the screen saver in animated style are either very deep or very lame, depending on your own worldview, but they can be easily changed or expanded upon by editing the alive.ini file located in the default installation directory.

These little text gems can be thought of as bumper stickers on the internet. In the BBS days we used to call them "taglines," because people would use them as part of a humorous sign-off to a message. They have also become part of the corporate trademark space, creating a meme to help remember an advertised product (Example: "What's in your wallet?").

Lots and lots of free but sometimes inane taglines can be found at Taglinesgalore.

Enjoy!

Mike Moore