Users Guide

PicasaStarter is a small application that provides a solution for a number of shortcomings of Google's Picasa, the image organisation and editing application.

Picasa limitations that are addressed include:

• • The database and pictures can't be shared among different users (not on the same computer, not in a network).

  • You cannot choose where to put the Picasa database. It is always installed in the user's Application Data folder.

  • You can only use/have one database per user, choosing between multiple databases is not possible.

PicasaStarter enhances Picasa and adds the following features:

• • You can create any number of Picasa databases and sets of pictures. This allows you to have separate pictures /database sets for different projects or uses. For instance separate databases for vacations, hobbies, and jobs.

  • Databases can be created in any location, including network drives, and can be shared by multiple computers and users.

  • It is very easy to create a portable solution where the pictures and database are on a portable or USB drive. The only thing that must be installed on the computer is Picasa itself. This makes it possible to show and work with your pictures on any computer.

NOTE: Unfortunately Picasa is a single user application and is not designed to share databases or pictures. This means that only one user at a time can be accessing each database and it's pictures. PicasaStarter warns the user if anyone else is trying to access the same database.

This is a preliminary User Guide and we welcome feedback on both the User Guide and PicasaStarter.

Leave Feedback and/or questions in the PicasaStarter Forum. At: http://groups.google.com/group/picasastarter

New Features in Version 2

PicasaStarter version 2 is an enhancement to PicasaStarter that works with Picasa version 3.9 and above.

PicasaStarter Version 2 adds the following features:

• • Version 2 has a built-in Backup solution that backs up both pictures and the database. Incremental backups at selectable intervals save only the changes for fast operation.

  • Version 2 can dynamically assign a Virtual Picture Drive letter for a network pictures folder if necessary

  • A capability for advanced users to add Picasa Buttons to the bottom of the Picasa screen was added.

  • Version 2 utilizes changes in Picasa version 3.9 to improve compatibility between Windows XP and Windows 7 installations. These changes eliminate the need for elevated privileges when first using or creating a new Picasa database.