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Windows XP -- digital camera/photo features

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Rick Turner [MS]

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I've been lurking around this wonderful site for a while. Thanks for all the great content & information. I am the proud owner of a Canon D30.

In any case, the reason I am posting today is the recently posted review of Windows XP's digital camera/photo features. I am the UI development lead for just about all the features mentioned in the review, and personally wrote the Photo Printing Wizard. I wanted to give something back to this site, and also get people's feedback on our stuff (if people are willing).

A couple of ground rules:

(1) I can't be global technical support for Microsoft products, but I'll help when/where I can.

(2) I'll eagerly accept any feedback, either positive or negative, as long as it's polite.

(3) I can't always comment on future plans, but when/where I can, I will.

So any comments or questions? Fire away!

Thanks.

-Rick

P.S. I also posted this info in the "News" forum but am trying to move the discussion here as it seems to be the more obvious place for it.
 
Rick,

Does the printing wizard work from the printing menu from apps or is it a standalone piece at the Windows level? My big complaint with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements is that I need another program to print different images on the same sheet of paper. It would be nice to do it in one program.

Thanks,

Gary
 
Gary -

It works as a standalone "app" from the Windows level. It is technically possible for an app to spawn the wizard, but it would require an update (and some currently undocumented know how) from the app to do this.

-Rick
Gary Becker said:
Rick,

Does the printing wizard work from the printing menu from apps or
is it a standalone piece at the Windows level? My big complaint
with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements is that I need another
program to print different images on the same sheet of paper. It
would be nice to do it in one program.

Thanks,

Gary
Click to expand...
 
Rick Turner said:
Gary -

It works as a standalone "app" from the Windows level.
Click to expand...
Since the wizard will work as a standalone application, do you know at this point if one will be able to download it to their exisitng OS, such as W98 or W ME (similar to downloading Microsoft Media Player).

I ask this for the following reason: the printing wizard sounds great but I doubt I will buy into Windows XP because of the expected registration and reregistration scheme. If I understand the issue correctly, I do not want to have to call Microsoft every few times should I need to reinstall the OS.

THanks, gail
 
. If I understand
gail31818 said:
the issue correctly, I do not want to have to call Microsoft every
few times should I need to reinstall the OS.

THanks, gail
Click to expand...
I think that will turn off a lot of people Gail. I format & clean install my OS'es far too often to bother with that also.
 
Gail --

At this time there are no plans to redistribute the wizard to any other Microsoft OS's. There are a lot of reasons for this -- not the least of which is that the technology the photo printing wizard is built on is only included in Windows XP.

As for the registration -- it's painless, it doesn't require typing in anything (your name, etc.), and it's not for info gathering on Microsoft's part. You will have to register each time you do an install of the OS. However, the ONLY reason Microsoft requires registering is to validate that you've got a licensed copy of Windows XP. If you don't like this feature -- then the best course of action is to be a strong and vocal advocate against software piracy. The amount of pirated software (both MS & non-MS) is staggering. Imagine trying to make your living as a photographer except that about half the people who use your images stole them with no compensation to you. :-)

-Rick
gail said:
Rick Turner said:
Gary -

It works as a standalone "app" from the Windows level.
Click to expand...
Since the wizard will work as a standalone application, do you know
at this point if one will be able to download it to their exisitng
OS, such as W98 or W ME (similar to downloading Microsoft Media
Player).

I ask this for the following reason: the printing wizard sounds
great but I doubt I will buy into Windows XP because of the
expected registration and reregistration scheme. If I understand
the issue correctly, I do not want to have to call Microsoft every
few times should I need to reinstall the OS.

THanks, gail
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for your reply, Rick,
Rick Turner [MS] said:
As for the registration -- it's painless, it doesn't require typing
in anything (your name, etc.), and it's not for info gathering on
Microsoft's part. You will have to register each time you do an
install of the OS.
Click to expand...
Painless, or pain in the rear? I guess it's in the eye of the beholder.

I understand and sympathize with the issues however this very same type of registration process stopped me from buying Adobe Elements last week. I thought Adobe was kidding when I read their reinstallation requirements but a call to their order desk confirmed it. Lost sale.

I'm really** tired of spending my life on the phone with all these companies whose screw-ups or defective products force me become like a part-time employee on the phone with them trying to get the problem fixed.

I had to reinstall Windows ME within a week after buying a new computer recently. The problem, in part, was because the manufacturer's tech support instructed me to delete files I should not have. If the system performed as one was lead to believe, I wouldn't have had to call tech support in the first place.

Then the driver for my expensive optical mouse, Microsoft's own, would frequently and sporadically disappear. The mouse would not function properly. I had to reinstall it several times each week (will we have to register for mice?). I spent over an hour on the phone, at my expense, with Microsoft support who didn't resolve the problem. I finally discovered the problem, but not until I had wasted a lot of time. I was going to call back MS to tell them what I discovered but I already spent too much time and toll charges on the issue.

Shall I go on?

I hope Microsoft comes up with another alternative.

gail
 
Gail --

I am sorry about all your trials trying to get a working PC. The registration process in Windows XP happens over your internet connection, is the push of one button, and takes 1 minute over a slow connection. It takes about 10 seconds over a large connection. This should not require actually talking to someone on the phone at all.

Also -- your optical mouse will work without any additional drivers in Windows XP. Support is built in.

I must admit that I am confused why you equate registering a product with the (obviously) painful technical support calls you have had to endure. They are not (to me, at least) the same issue. Am I missing something fundamental in what you're saying?

-Rick

P.S. I don't blame you for not letting Microsoft know how your issue was fixed. You shouldn't have to use your own money to call us to let us know of a solution.
gail said:
gail31818 said:
As for the registration -- it's painless, it doesn't require typing
in anything (your name, etc.), and it's not for info gathering on
Microsoft's part. You will have to register each time you do an
install of the OS.
Click to expand...
Painless, or pain in the rear? I guess it's in the eye of the
beholder.

I understand and sympathize with the issues however this very same
type of registration process stopped me from buying Adobe Elements
last week. I thought Adobe was kidding when I read their
reinstallation requirements but a call to their order desk
confirmed it. Lost sale.

I'm really** tired of spending my life on the phone with all
these companies whose screw-ups or defective products force me
become like a part-time employee on the phone with them trying to
get the problem fixed.

I had to reinstall Windows ME within a week after buying a new
computer recently. The problem, in part, was because the
manufacturer's tech support instructed me to delete files I should
not have. If the system performed as one was lead to believe, I
wouldn't have had to call tech support in the first place.

Then the driver for my expensive optical mouse, Microsoft's own,
would frequently and sporadically disappear. The mouse would not
function properly. I had to reinstall it several times each week
(will we have to register for mice?). I spent over an hour on the
phone, at my expense, with Microsoft support who didn't resolve the
problem. I finally discovered the problem, but not until I had
wasted a lot of time. I was going to call back MS to tell them what
I discovered but I already spent too much time and toll charges on
the issue.

Shall I go on?

I hope Microsoft comes up with another alternative.

gail
Click to expand...
 
Rick Turner [MS] said:
Rick Turner [MS] said:
Painless, or pain in the rear? I guess it's in the eye of the
beholder.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I guess I have to agree with some of these posters, Rick. I think us PC users and web site purchasers are getting spoiled by the sites that do it right (In our minds.) If we go on a site to purchase something and the site turns out to be even a little bit difficult to get around in, we go somewhere else to spend our money. If an eStore asks us for our card number too soon in the transaction, we balk and exit. If they charge our card before shipping, forget it! We post hate mail about them all over the net. And MicroSoft should (and I am sure they do) pay attention and not start making things MORE difficult all of a sudden. Not when we sense the trend is in the opposite direction, toward making things easier for us. Asking for all this registering; etc. is just going against the tide. (Boy, I do go on about this, don't I?) PatiO.
 
I can (and do) understand the want for simplicity and ease of use. Also, yes, you're right, the interaction of a product and also of the sale of that product have great influence on customer purchases. No doubt about that.

I guess I am trying to communicate two primary points about the new registration requirement in Windows XP:

First and foremost, we spend a lot of money, time and effort (not to mention blood, sweat & tears!) working on our products. As in EVERY other profession, if a person uses our products, we deserve compensation for those products. Every person has a right to use or not use our products. They can choose competing products, etc. But if they choose to use our products, we should be compensated. Right now, we are only compensated for about half of the instances where our product is used. The fact that piracy of our products is so rampant dictates things like required registration. If you don't like the registration, by all means, vote with your wallet. But even more so -- you should become a champion against software (or any kind) of piracy.

Secondly, the registration process is literally a one-click operation. You don't need to fill out ANYTHING if you don't want to. Also, you don't have to register right away. I think there's a 14-day period once the OS is installed. (Don't quote me on the 14 days, though). The overriding point is -- this is not a long, laborous process. It's quick. It's simple.

To clarify -- when I said "vote with your wallet" above, I am not meaning to imply that I don't want you to use Windows XP. I do! :-) But I recognize your right as a consumer to vote for or against products by how (or if!) you spend your money on them. That being said -- Windows XP is BY FAR the best OS Microsoft has made (by just about any metric you can measure an OS by). I use it every single day, and it rocks! We've endevoured to make the registration process as simple and non-instrusive as possible. It would be a shame (in my opinion) to miss out on all the great features of this OS because you don't like the idea of registration. However, that is, and will always be, your choice as the consumer.

Sorry for the long winded response. But I thought the comments were warranted.

-Rick

P.S. I guess it's time to say that these are my opinions and do not always necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer.

P.P.S. If people want to keep talking about this, perhaps we should start a new thread on software piracy issues in general.
PatiO said:
PatiO said:
PatiO said:
Painless, or pain in the rear? I guess it's in the eye of the
beholder.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I guess I have to agree with some of these posters, Rick. I think
us PC users and web site purchasers are getting spoiled by the
sites that do it right (In our minds.) If we go on a site to
purchase something and the site turns out to be even a little bit
difficult to get around in, we go somewhere else to spend our
money. If an eStore asks us for our card number too soon in the
transaction, we balk and exit. If they charge our card before
shipping, forget it! We post hate mail about them all over the
net. And MicroSoft should (and I am sure they do) pay attention
and not start making things MORE difficult all of a sudden. Not
when we sense the trend is in the opposite direction, toward making
things easier for us. Asking for all this registering; etc. is
just going against the tide. (Boy, I do go on about this, don't
I?) PatiO.
Click to expand...
 
Rick,

I know how hard you all work at Microsoft. A relative of mine works for the company.
Rick Turner [MS] said:
I must admit that I am confused why you equate registering a
product with the (obviously) painful technical support calls you
have had to endure. They are not (to me, at least) the same issue.
Am I missing something fundamental in what you're saying?
Click to expand...
I understood the registration process to involve a call (with visions of call menuing, on-hold, etc.) But there are other issues which make the registration process distasteful.

Microsoft will force me to call them if I purchase the new system and it needs to be reinstalled, yet they will not (currently) speak with me when I have their OS if it comes preinstalled on on a new computer.

When I had problems with WME on my new computer, particularly it's sluggishness, low resources and error messages, I called Microsoft. They would NOT let me talk with MS technical support about the OS. I had to call the manufacturer where I purchased the computer, whose tech support gave wrong advice. It resulted in many hours over a period of days to fix the problem (including a clean reinstall). I do not believe this would have happened if I spoke directly with MS support. (I also spent hours online searching the KB).

In other words, I have your newest consumer OS, but I am not allowed talk to Microsoft tech support. So why should I be thrilled about a new system, particularly when I'm going to have to go thru a re-registration process!
Rick Turner [MS] said:
P.S. I don't blame you for not letting Microsoft know how your
issue was fixed.
Click to expand...
Perhaps you can relate the problem: using the "clean up" feature in system config utility deletes the optical mouse driver.

Thanks.

Gail
 
I completely agree with you Gail.

I have been watching the opinions of people on the hardware boards to this new "registration" process & it has ranged from people thinking that is is annoying to downright hostile opinions.

I have never registered any software as I don't need tech support & I resent being forced to register a legally purchased product just to get it to work.
 
My understanding (and experience) is that the registration process only involves a call if:

(a) you don't have an internet connection
(b) you want to "move" your installation from one computer to another.

If you have an internet connection, you can re-install all you want on the same computer and will never have to pick up the phone and call Microsoft.

About the support issues you mentioned -- that is outside of what I do at Microsoft. However, I think the reasoning is that if the manufacturer customizes the OS install (by adding drivers, etc.) then the manufacturer has to support it as Microsoft is not generally kept in the loop on these things.

-Rick
gail said:
I know how hard you all work at Microsoft. A relative of mine works
for the company.
gail31818 said:
I must admit that I am confused why you equate registering a
product with the (obviously) painful technical support calls you
have had to endure. They are not (to me, at least) the same issue.
Am I missing something fundamental in what you're saying?
Click to expand...
I understood the registration process to involve a call (with
visions of call menuing, on-hold, etc.) But there are other issues
which make the registration process distasteful.

Microsoft will force me to call them if I purchase the new system
and it needs to be reinstalled, yet they will not (currently) speak
with me when I have their OS if it comes preinstalled on on a new
computer.

When I had problems with WME on my new computer, particularly it's
sluggishness, low resources and error messages, I called Microsoft.
They would NOT let me talk with MS technical support about the OS.
I had to call the manufacturer where I purchased the computer,
whose tech support gave wrong advice. It resulted in many hours
over a period of days to fix the problem (including a clean
reinstall). I do not believe this would have happened if I spoke
directly with MS support. (I also spent hours online searching the
KB).

In other words, I have your newest consumer OS, but I am not
allowed talk to Microsoft tech support. So why should I be thrilled
about a new system, particularly when I'm going to have to go thru
a re-registration process!
gail31818 said:
P.S. I don't blame you for not letting Microsoft know how your
issue was fixed.
Click to expand...
Perhaps you can relate the problem: using the "clean up" feature in
system config utility deletes the optical mouse driver.

Thanks.

Gail
Click to expand...
 
Rick,

I'm sure there will be a long debate about this issue but we're here to really talk about photography. Can you give us more detail about the Windows XP's digital camera/photo features?

Thanks, gail
 
Hello,

I've been following up the features that of windows xp for digital images and I'm very excited about it, however, I was a little dissappointed to see that no compression features will be included. When I download mypictures from the camera to the computers, I wish I was able to download it compressed. Anyways, can't wait for xp.
Rick Turner said:
I've been lurking around this wonderful site for a while. Thanks
for all the great content & information. I am the proud owner of a
Canon D30.

In any case, the reason I am posting today is the recently posted
review of Windows XP's digital camera/photo features. I am the UI
development lead for just about all the features mentioned in the
review, and personally wrote the Photo Printing Wizard. I wanted to
give something back to this site, and also get people's feedback on
our stuff (if people are willing).

A couple of ground rules:

(1) I can't be global technical support for Microsoft products, but
I'll help when/where I can.

(2) I'll eagerly accept any feedback, either positive or negative,
as long as it's polite.

(3) I can't always comment on future plans, but when/where I can, I
will.

So any comments or questions? Fire away!

Thanks.

-Rick

P.S. I also posted this info in the "News" forum but am trying to
move the discussion here as it seems to be the more obvious place
for it.
Click to expand...
 
Rick Turner said:
I've been lurking around this wonderful site for a while. Thanks
for all the great content & information. I am the proud owner of a
Canon D30.

In any case, the reason I am posting today is the recently posted
review of Windows XP's digital camera/photo features. I am the UI
development lead for just about all the features mentioned in the
review, and personally wrote the Photo Printing Wizard. I wanted to
give something back to this site, and also get people's feedback on
our stuff (if people are willing).

A couple of ground rules:

(1) I can't be global technical support for Microsoft products, but
I'll help when/where I can.

(2) I'll eagerly accept any feedback, either positive or negative,
as long as it's polite.

(3) I can't always comment on future plans, but when/where I can, I
will.

So any comments or questions? Fire away!

Thanks.

-Rick

P.S. I also posted this info in the "News" forum but am trying to
move the discussion here as it seems to be the more obvious place
for it.
Click to expand...
 
steve steinberg said:
Rick Turner said:
I've been lurking around this wonderful site for a while. Thanks
for all the great content & information. I am the proud owner of a
Canon D30.

In any case, the reason I am posting today is the recently posted
review of Windows XP's digital camera/photo features. I am the UI
development lead for just about all the features mentioned in the
review, and personally wrote the Photo Printing Wizard. I wanted to
give something back to this site, and also get people's feedback on
our stuff (if people are willing).

A couple of ground rules:

(1) I can't be global technical support for Microsoft products, but
I'll help when/where I can.

(2) I'll eagerly accept any feedback, either positive or negative,
as long as it's polite.

(3) I can't always comment on future plans, but when/where I can, I
will.

So any comments or questions? Fire away!

Thanks.

-Rick

P.S. I also posted this info in the "News" forum but am trying to
move the discussion here as it seems to be the more obvious place
for it.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
On disk compression is inherent in Windows XP.

If the disk storing your photos is formatted as an NTFS (instead of FAT/FAT32) disk, you may choose to have the entire disk or part of it (certain folders) compressed. When files are placed in the compressed area, they are automatically compressed (and expanded when retrieved) without manual intervention.

If your photos are of JPG format, compression gain is usually not significant.

--svb
 
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