> Expect first months of learning to be frustrating, but if you 
> succeded
> in producing commercial PIC programmer, you'll overcome this, I'm
> sure.

Olin is saying that he has already overcome the problem ! - ie he has 
already produced a photo documenting system that meets his needs, 
albeit a 'work in progress'.

I also like to know where my photos are and to be able to locate them 
rapidly. My system is far from perfect but works well enough when I 
make proper use of it. Spending the time on using the tools available 
is often the problem :-). I find that the technical details in the 
EXIF data of each image are usually enough. I can add more specific 
information if desired in the IPTC fields within the image, but I 
seldom do this. I usually save files initially in a folder per memory 
card and then may transfer of copy them to date or event specific 
folders or sub folders. eg a wedding or birthday or day out will have 
a master folder with subfolders under that.

I don't generally feel the need to record circumstance or location 
notes - I take enough photos that the sequence pretty much tells the 
tale with memory filling in the gaps. What I do want is enough 
information to be able to locate shots subsequently. If I remember a 
particular day or event and I can get to the folder the day is 
recorded in the rest is easy enough. So I add keywords to the file 
names at the start of a sequence sufficient to cue memory and allow me 
to retrieve an initial file. After that memory is usually enough of a 
guide.

I also display photos via screen saver and copy selected ones of these 
to a "random photos" folder. I may add keywords to these too.
Sample words chosen randomly from a displayed list look something like 
this:

    Rod's Venice
    Meteor Crater - closeup of middle with astronaut
    NZ soldier's grave
    Interlaken map Eiger Lauterbrunnen etc
    Beautiful bridge
    Coptic cross - ancient - Flanders
    Cable stayed bridge - Bangkok
    Hadrians Wall
    Trummelbacfalle - Rod

and on and on (and on and on and on)

Photos exceed 200,000. Haven't checked total recently. Many duplicates 
for various reasons.
Duplicicates (almost) always carry the original filename and date with 
extra notations.

For file name searching I use either Picassa or do simple directory 
listings to files and search these.
An external viewer (usually Irfanview) plus Windows Explorer allows 
photo access.

If needed I can add notes on a file in a searchable log. but I seldom 
feel the need to do this.

Overall, despite the crudity the (lack of) system works reasonably 
well.
It may well be that eg gallery would work far better in many respects.
But the advantage of the less structured approach above is that you 
can do as you wish with it - you are not bound by someone else's idea 
of how to do things and can add such bells and whistles as are needed 
to make it work for you.


        RM 

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