Everyday Nerd

Thanks KF for asking a great question, and something that almost everyone with a digital camera is going to ask at some point in time!

There are several ways to backup items on your computer; burning files to DVD (See Infra Recorder), using online backup services such as Mozy, or as simple as taking your flash memory to any photo processing location, and letting them archive the pictures to CD/DVD. 

But in this case, when talking specifically about pictures, I only have one way that I will back them up:  Picasa!

That’s right, you read that right, Picasa!  I’ve told you before about how much I love Picasa, especially Picasa 3!  Well, now, here’s one more reason to love it even more!

Open Picasa, and go to Tools, Backup Pictures.

At the bottom of Picasa, the Backup steps (all two of them) appear:

First, either accept the default backup set name, or create/edit the set in Step 1.  The set can be customized to backup to DVD, or to a drive (good if you are backing up to an external Hard Drive, or network drive), as well as choosing All file types, All Pictures, or only JPEG with Camera Information.  I go with the default, because I want my movies backed up as well (I have Picasa “watch” my home movies folder as well).

If this is your first time backing up your pictures, you will want to choose “Select All” in step 2, otherwise, Picasa will automatically select all the pictures that have not been backed up since your last backup.

Also, if you wish, you can manually select the folders that you want to backup.

If you have a lot of pictures, it may take a couple of DVD’s to backup, but trust me, it’s a LOT better to have a backup of those precious memories, than your hard drive going “clack clack clack” with the only copy of your pictures on it… 

Restoring from the Picasa DVD Backups is just as easy as the backup process.  Simply insert the DVD, let the auto-play run, and a nice restore wizard asks you if you want to restore to the original location, or a new one.  Easy as pie!

REMEMBER:  ALL HARD DRIVES GO BAD!  It’s a matter of when - not if!

Backup often, cry less…

Download Picasa 3

OK, so I’m really loving Picasa 3 as you know, and although I’ve used Picasa Web Albums in the past, I’m beginning to see them in a new light - and I like it!

My favorite feature is Face Tagging.  This new technology can recognize a face, or faces in a photo, and once you tag one, it can usually recognize it again!  Pretty cool huh?  I’d love to see this in the Picasa application itself!  This would make organizing photos so much easier!  Well, for now, your online albums can be uber organized.

Sharing between Picasa and Picasa Web Albums is easy, especially with Picasa 3.  You can still choose if you want your albums to be private or public.  Note, that just because it’s private, it doesn’t mean someone can’t see it.  If they know the URL, anyone can view the album.  The difference is if your pictures will be searchable or not.

One new feature allows you to upload photos via email.  You pick a secret word, then you can upload from literally anywhere - including  your mobile device!

Link to Picasa Web Albums

I’ve been a fan of Picasa since before Google acquired it.  Then it was free, and it was great!  Then they came out with Picasa 2, and it was even better!  Now, they have released Picasa 3, and all I can say is WOW!!!!

Picasa 3 comes slam pack with some awesome new features:

• Create custom collages (I really mean CUSTOM)
• Automatic red eye detection
• Easy upload and/or Sync pictures / albums to Picasa Web Albums
• Upload video to YouTube
• Enhanced photo preview for Windows
• Create custom slide show or movie
• Fix blemishes in photos
• Write text on photos
• and many more!

The Picasa team has put together a great little promo video of the new capabilities, so instead of me tell you, let them show you!

I know!  WOW!  Ok, now you have watched the video, go download it yourself, and have fun!!!

  Download Picasa 3