Webshots 2.2
Created by CNET Networks, this popular tool has been around a long time. One of their main claims to fame is the fact that it can collect photos submitted on its Web site (www.webshots.com) and display them on your computer as screensavers or wallpapers.
Download and Installation
A simple download gets you the installer, which then expands to 1.74 MB. Unlike with Picasa, though, Webshots does not scan your entire computer for photos to be added to the collection(s). This is something that has to be done manually after installation. Installation itself is simple and quick.
UI And Usage
Webshots offers users a clean, four-window interface that is as easy to view as it is simple to use. The top left panel houses the file browser, from where you can choose the folders on your computer to include photos from. The neighbouring right window on the top displays the folders and any photos in the main folder.
These are then displayed in thumbnail format in the lower left panel. Selecting any of the thumbnails brings up the bottom right the fourth and final—pane into the picture, and shows the chosen image in all its glory!
Right next to this blown-up thumbnail are a few buttons: Edit, Delete, View Slideshow, Set Wallpaper, Online Options, and a navigator to choose the previous or next photo in the folder.
On the top are four tabs that let you make the most of this program itself. Wallpapers and Screensavers is the first, followed by ‘My Online Photos’, ‘Favourite Members’ and ‘My Computer’. There is a big difference in the first and last tabs and their purpose in the program—you shouldn’t make the mistake of confusing what tasks each of them do. We clarify this because sooner or later, you’d be tempted to do just that!
Let’s look at each of the tabs one by one. The ‘Wallpapers and Screensavers’ tab lets you create various collections that will house chosen photos. This has to be created manually, and these are the photos that will keep changing as your screensaver and desktop images. Collections can be created based on topics and that’s how they are displayed here as well. It’s worth noting that the sizes of all panels are adjustable, and the photos also read just to ensure proper display ratios.
The next tab, ‘My Online Photos’ lets you log on to the Webshots site and access a collection online (one that has been created from their repertoire of images) for viewing and usage on your computer. The third tab, ‘My Favourite Members’ is a direct connection to various members of the Webshots Web site that you may have marked as favourites. These could also be friends and this tab will display their recent (or all-time) collections.
The final tab is one of the good things about Webshots. As mentioned, it has the Explorer-type navigational range and this is its USP. Here, you can add favourite folders where you would normally add photos. Its good because then, you could just come here and check the new photos you have added.
Editing
This is one place where the software really loses out. For one, there are almost no editing tools available. The only things you can do are rotate the photo(s) clockwise or counter-clockwise. There are no provisions to change the exposure or even add a little brightness to the photograph.
Wallpapers and Screensavers
To the first-timer, it would seem as if the only purpose of this software is to keep changing the wallpaper on your desktop and add new photos to your screensaver collection! This is only partly true. The other part that makes this software worthwhile is the possibility of automatic downloads from the Webshots site to your computer and then changing the wallpapers and screensavers!
On a more serious note, though, this can be fun. For one, you can forget about having the same old photo on your desktop everyday. Settings in Webshots allow you to change the desktop every hour. So the next time you minimise all windows, be ready for a surprise! As your collection grows, though, it can be a little tough to manage it. It’s very important that you label or categorise all photos as soon as they are added, lest you don’t know where to find them.
Download and Installation
A simple download gets you the installer, which then expands to 1.74 MB. Unlike with Picasa, though, Webshots does not scan your entire computer for photos to be added to the collection(s). This is something that has to be done manually after installation. Installation itself is simple and quick.
UI And Usage
Webshots offers users a clean, four-window interface that is as easy to view as it is simple to use. The top left panel houses the file browser, from where you can choose the folders on your computer to include photos from. The neighbouring right window on the top displays the folders and any photos in the main folder.
These are then displayed in thumbnail format in the lower left panel. Selecting any of the thumbnails brings up the bottom right the fourth and final—pane into the picture, and shows the chosen image in all its glory!
Right next to this blown-up thumbnail are a few buttons: Edit, Delete, View Slideshow, Set Wallpaper, Online Options, and a navigator to choose the previous or next photo in the folder.
On the top are four tabs that let you make the most of this program itself. Wallpapers and Screensavers is the first, followed by ‘My Online Photos’, ‘Favourite Members’ and ‘My Computer’. There is a big difference in the first and last tabs and their purpose in the program—you shouldn’t make the mistake of confusing what tasks each of them do. We clarify this because sooner or later, you’d be tempted to do just that!
Let’s look at each of the tabs one by one. The ‘Wallpapers and Screensavers’ tab lets you create various collections that will house chosen photos. This has to be created manually, and these are the photos that will keep changing as your screensaver and desktop images. Collections can be created based on topics and that’s how they are displayed here as well. It’s worth noting that the sizes of all panels are adjustable, and the photos also read just to ensure proper display ratios.
The next tab, ‘My Online Photos’ lets you log on to the Webshots site and access a collection online (one that has been created from their repertoire of images) for viewing and usage on your computer. The third tab, ‘My Favourite Members’ is a direct connection to various members of the Webshots Web site that you may have marked as favourites. These could also be friends and this tab will display their recent (or all-time) collections.
The final tab is one of the good things about Webshots. As mentioned, it has the Explorer-type navigational range and this is its USP. Here, you can add favourite folders where you would normally add photos. Its good because then, you could just come here and check the new photos you have added.
Editing
This is one place where the software really loses out. For one, there are almost no editing tools available. The only things you can do are rotate the photo(s) clockwise or counter-clockwise. There are no provisions to change the exposure or even add a little brightness to the photograph.
Wallpapers and Screensavers
To the first-timer, it would seem as if the only purpose of this software is to keep changing the wallpaper on your desktop and add new photos to your screensaver collection! This is only partly true. The other part that makes this software worthwhile is the possibility of automatic downloads from the Webshots site to your computer and then changing the wallpapers and screensavers!
On a more serious note, though, this can be fun. For one, you can forget about having the same old photo on your desktop everyday. Settings in Webshots allow you to change the desktop every hour. So the next time you minimise all windows, be ready for a surprise! As your collection grows, though, it can be a little tough to manage it. It’s very important that you label or categorise all photos as soon as they are added, lest you don’t know where to find them.
Labels: Software
posted by Asapcorp at
12:55
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