Picasa Substitute

I used to take photos and add captions and tags to the photos using Google Picasa. Unfortunately it is no longer supported. I have a hard time finding substitute for it. Recently tried a new windows app called digiKam. It is quite suitable for use. The following are some similarities and dissimilarities.

1. Edit Geolocation.

Both can edit geolocation. Both are able to update multiple files at one time. digiKam have additional functionality to do GPS correlator (loading a GPX file and interpolate the geolocation into the picture). Currently uses GeoSetter to do it.

2. Edit Caption/IPTC/XMP

Used the menu item of digiKam to edit IPTC. Although it can edit individual but it is a hassle if multiple files of the same group need to be edited.  Later, it was discovered that the right hand column has "Captions" can do multiple file update. Picasa has an advantage in that you could type in the keywords and it will auto suggest. digiKam provide a list of tags for you to select. Each has its own merits.

3. Search for tags.

DigiKam provide a tag listing where you can instantly apply a filter by choosing the tags. Picasa does it by typing into a search field. The latter can just type partially and the list will automatically match the partial words. I would say the latter is more flexible.

4. Grouping.

Picasa has a "starred" feature that allows a selection of pictures to be listed by choosing a set. digiKam does not have it but since I have been using tags to provide a list like "special", "flowers" etc. It is a matter of adding the "starred" tag and use it for listing under tags. However, it is slightly inconvenient as I have to fish the tag out from thousands of tags. Maybe I should use the star setting provided by digiKam instead.

5. External change of the tags.

DigiKam seems to be unable to respond to newly changed tags outside of its app (unless it is restarted). Picasa does not have this problem.

6. Maps

Picasa has maps but since the support is no longer available, it has not been working. Any individual change to the geolocation has to use GeoSetter. GeoSetter is kind of slow as it does a lot of background work. digiKam can show the icon/bubble on OpenStreetMap and can add the geolocation by dragging the file into the map.

7. Album listing.

Picasa can scroll through the albums. digiKam can only show within the same album. It is a disadvantage as I sometimes have to scroll through a list of albums to identify the observations.

8. Maps grouping - In the catalog setting there is another maps facility. This one allows to select by geolocation. A map is displayed on all pictures that have geolocation. You can select an area and it will display all pictures in the location. Very convenient tool to identify species in the same region.

In conclusion, no two app works exactly the same. Some will have advantages and disadvantages over others. digiKam is one app that is quite close to what I need to manage plants and animals photos with location info and tags by Gendre and Family for easy reference and research.