[mrstucci]

hi all Mac users!!! I am needing some guidance here....... I currently have my digi stuff organized with Shoebox but last night I got very, very frustrated with it because I wanted to merge some categories and couldn't get the merge to stick. Every time I merged a couple and then went to do some tagging, the changes wouldn't be there so I tried numerous times and got no where. Plus it kept hanging up and the beach ball would spin and spin and I would have to do a force quit. Ugh. I was not a happy camper when I went to bed and woke up thinking about what to do. I know there is Picasa that can be used to organize digi stuff but tried that last night (not a good idea when I was already frustrated) and this morning I had to toss Picasa-it imported things I didn't want in there automatically and I couldn't stop it. Let's just leave it at that. Restored my Reunion documents folder to it's early state before Picasa got a hold of it. Whew, thank goodness for TM. Restored a few other things and now I am sitting here and not being very creative! I know some of you have said that you use the Finder to organize. Some use iPhoto (tried that a few years ago with disastrous results)- I do have iPhoto '09 now though. Just need to get some feedback as to what you use and how you tag, do you tag, easy of use, etc. I need to take a break from this for awhile and go start some laundry. Not really therapeutic but necessary. Lunch might help me too. Judy

[mrstucci]

Update: after Shoebox crashed about 6 times, I gave up and trashed it! Yep. Decided I was wasting too much time dealing with it's issues. Now I am without organization. Not too much of a problem cuz I have folders set up for papers, etc. But then I have some tutorials/scrapbooking lessons I have purchased that have papers, etc. in them and now how do I include the papers, etc. that are part of the lesson but they really should be in 2 folders. I guess I can make a copy of each item and then put them in their respective folders........ hmmm....... my brain is tired. Time to do something else. My creative juices are wanting to flow but I feel "dammed" up. heavy sigh, Judy

[goodqueenbee]

I like Ro's set up (see book "15 reasons" - FREE on freebie page). There are other helps in the message board. Have fun!

[mrstucci]

Hi- yes, I like that setup too and I guess I sort of have mine setup like that but it's a bit different on a Mac.
I notice you live in Port Orchard..... Wow! We lived there from about 1980 till 1985 and I have such fond memories of living there. We lived on Ada Street. My husband worked at the shipyard. Both of my sons were born in Bremerton. Ah, such memories......... Judy

[B&K Mom]

Hi Judy.
I run PSE 4 (yep, it's old) on a G4 Powerbook (yep, it's old too) with Tiger (again, old -- lol). I use Ro's filing system in conjunction with Bridge and like it very much. I don't tag much, in fact, not at all. I just use the FIND feature in Bridge to locate whatever I want. I do like to browse my folders in Bridge too. Since I don't have Leopard, I don't have Coverflow. I've heard that that's a pretty nice way to go. I can see the utility of tagging and may some day do that (especially papers: stripes, floral, polka dot, etc). I too suffer from the mesmerizing spinning beach ball at times, but that comes from the antiquity of my machine and the very limited storage space I'm working with. So I guess I don't have much constructive words, just camaraderie in the trenches.

Debbie

[mrstucci]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to play around with Bridge some more. I noticed that Bridge picked up some keywords from Shoebox! I don't know how it did that but it is helpful. Have a great weekend, Judy

[Sara Arell]

I use Bridge to find my stuff too - I didn't think about organizing my files until I had like 10,000 things to organize and I did, at one time, start an organizing process which I very quickly gave up - I just keep my files as they are downloaded and try to remember what it was about that collection that made me buy it and it usually works for me. My list of downloads is soooo long and I am just going to live with it the way it is - it does take me a bit longer to do a layout because I do a lot of searching and looking for just the right embellishment or paper or whatever it is I am looking for, but I gotta tell you that I love surprises and I am always still surprised when I come upon the perfect collection with which to start my layout - I do wish I had started organizing right away but I had no idea I would come to amass such a huge collection of collections!

If find a really easy way, let me know - I'm a Mac user for 20 plus years now.

[Sara Arell]

goodqueenbee, on May 27 2009, 05:47 PM, said:

I like Ro's set up (see book "15 reasons" - FREE on freebie page). There are other helps in the message board. Have fun!

GOOD IDEA, BARB - I think I will go download that book right now - I just hate the thought of spending my good scrapping and yapping time trying to organize my collections - and I kind of like keeping them together that way because then I can picture the whole collection and remember what it was I liked about it so much and what made me just HAVE to have it.

[mrstucci]

One thing I thought I'd mention (well, maybe it will be 2 things) is that when I use the Finder to view my digi stuff, some of the black items like word art are not viewable. I haven't found a work around for that. I like Bridge but it crashes for me-not all the time but a couple of times within a few hours. Well, that's it for today. I am hoping to work outside today-filling birdfeeders and cutting off peony flowers that got crushed in our recent thunderstorms! Judy

[mrstucci]

Back again........ I may have just had a great thought......... Why not use Evernote to organize my digi stuff??? I am just now starting to put some stuff in it. I can tag things to my hearts content. And the word art that is black, well, it shows up because the background of a new note is white! I don't really relish the idea of organizing my stuff once again but maybe this will be what I am looking for. Just thought I'd share, Judy

[Sara Arell]

Sara Arell, on May 29 2009, 06:52 AM, said:

I use Bridge to find my stuff too - I didn't think about organizing my files until I had like 10,000 things to organize and I did, at one time, start an organizing process which I very quickly gave up - I just keep my files as they are downloaded and try to remember what it was about that collection that made me buy it and it usually works for me. My list of downloads is soooo long and I am just going to live with it the way it is - it does take me a bit longer to do a layout because I do a lot of searching and looking for just the right embellishment or paper or whatever it is I am looking for, but I gotta tell you that I love surprises and I am always still surprised when I come upon the perfect collection with which to start my layout - I do wish I had started organizing right away but I had no idea I would come to amass such a huge collection of collections!

If find a really easy way, let me know - I'm a Mac user for 20 plus years now.

Everything I download goes to my downloads folder and the list is sooooo long - and I have to go back to it each time I am looking for something - I hate to spend the time doing it but guess I should organize too - I just don't know where to start. I have upgraded my system and my spplications and finding files is a little different now in InDesign. There must be an easier way - one that requires less time - some of you are talking about things I haven't heard of yet, so guess I need a tutor!

[DebLynn]

mrstucci, on May 30 2009, 05:09 PM, said:

Back again........ I may have just had a great thought......... Why not use Evernote to organize my digi stuff??? I am just now starting to put some stuff in it. I can tag things to my hearts content. And the word art that is black, well, it shows up because the background of a new note is white! I don't really relish the idea of organizing my stuff once again but maybe this will be what I am looking for. Just thought I'd share, Judy

Hi Judy,

I'm just wondering if you went with your plan to use Evernote to organize, and if so, is it working out for you? I'm currently not very happy using Picasa, and am thinking about creating a separate library in iPhoto '09 just for digisupplies. But since I already have Evernote I thought I'd ask you what you think before I decide.

Thanks, Deb

[Katie Mac]

I'm a Mac user too, and use Bridge to locate everything. My files are all in quite distinct categories, but even so, they are becoming cluttered and I need to reorganise too. I'll have a look at Ro's set up later this evening and check back in to see if anyone has come up with more ideas!

[mrstucci]

I am still using Picasa. For the most part I like it but I am having "issues" with it. I didn't continue with Evernote but depending on if I can resolve my "issues" or not with Picasa, that may be my next step. What I did in Evernote, seemed to work fine. I just didn't do much once I started working with Picasa. What don't you like DebLynn about Picasa?
Several versions of iPhoto ago, when I first started digi scrapping, I had all sorts of problems with iPhoto as an organizer for my digi stuff. I can't remember now what they were but it was major problems. Like I said, that was long ago and maybe iPhoto '09 would work great. Keep us updated! Judy

[Sara Arell]

Judy,
I am using both Picassa and iPhoto - just kind of trying to see what I like best - I am used to iPhoto and so far have really no complaints about it - I like some of the techniques available in Picassa or is it Picasso and so I don't know which I am going to choose to use. I like the fact that with both of them I can simply drag what ever I want from them directly into my layout - but I also use Indesign for most of my layouts so my problems or questions could be a bit different than those of you who really use PSE the most. I also use Photoshop and Illustrator - I just need to keep playing around with both of them to make a decision. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them -
Sara

[cherise]

I'm a Mac user here too and I just use Ro's method of organization (when I get around to it!) and then usually just use Finder to find what I'm looking for. If I know a specific collection that I'm looking for, I just type the name of that collection in the Finder window and the whole thing comes up. If I want to find something by a specific designer, then I type that designer's initials with the underscore in the Finder window ("COL_" for example) and everything that designer has done will come up. If I want to find a staple, then I type "staple" in the finder window and every single staple that I have comes up. You can edit the Search to only find "Image" files, which is what I do to avoid finding other things on my computer with those names. I find it very easy to use that way. And if I don't get around to organizing my downloads right away, I can still find them because my Finder will find them no matter where they are.

[mrstucci]

No suggestions yet Sara. Are you using iPhoto '09? I think one of the issues I had with iPhoto is that word art, brushes, etc. that were black wouldn't show up in the iPhoto window. Keep us posted on what you like/dislike about each! Judy

[mrstucci]

Hi Cherise- I have used the Finder before also but as with the older versions of iPhoto that I tried out, black word art, black brushes, etc. just don't show up! That is what keeps me from using the Finder for digi stuff. How do you get around that? Judy

[cherise]

mrstucci, on Jun 23 2009, 05:11 PM, said:

Hi Cherise- I have used the Finder before also but as with the older versions of iPhoto that I tried out, black word art, black brushes, etc. just don't show up! That is what keeps me from using the Finder for digi stuff. How do you get around that? Judy

I'm not sure what you mean about black word art/brushes not showing up . . . all of my stuff shows up just fine. Can you give me an example of a specific product (SG) that isn't showing up properly for you and I can check it on mine to see? When I'm searching in Finder, I can either have it set to show the list, which uses the very small preview icon or the larger preview icon if I really want to see the images better.

[mrstucci]

I should have said that these items that are black and don't show up, that's viewing them in the Cover Flow view........ Judy

[cherise]

mrstucci, on Jun 23 2009, 06:26 PM, said:

I should have said that these items that are black and don't show up, that's viewing them in the Cover Flow view........ Judy

Before reading this thread, I didn't even know what Cover Flow was . . . I just always use the list or large preview icon view - never use Cover Flow view. If you use the other views, all your black stuff shows up just fine.

[mrstucci]

Ok- that makes sense! Cover Flow is also in iTunes-in fact I think that was the first use of Cover Flow. Just a little tidbit! Judy

[sec]

I've been reading this thread with interest, hoping ideas would continue to flow. I'm a Mac user, PSE, IPhoto. I did set up files per Ro's direction in the e_book, but I was at a loss as to how to file some of the items that I have downloaded. And then how to find items after I split apart collections became another problem! I'm curious as to how just using the Finder search is working for you folks after using it for awhile. I've been sort of playing around with Bridge, but just when I think I understand it, I realize I turned a wrong corner somewhere!

[DebLynn]

sec, on Jul 22 2009, 03:22 PM, said:

I've been reading this thread with interest, hoping ideas would continue to flow. I'm a Mac user, PSE, IPhoto. I did set up files per Ro's direction in the e_book, but I was at a loss as to how to file some of the items that I have downloaded. And then how to find items after I split apart collections became another problem! I'm curious as to how just using the Finder search is working for you folks after using it for awhile. I've been sort of playing around with Bridge, but just when I think I understand it, I realize I turned a wrong corner somewhere!

I'm using the Mac Beta version of Picasa (free) for my digisupplies. It's working great! I love it!! The coolest thing about Picasa is you can use the Folder Manager in the Tools menu to tell Picasa what to scan and what not to scan. This way I only have Picasa scanning my digisupply folders, not my photos, or anything else. I think it's worth checking out. I was just getting going with Shoebox when it started giving me too much trouble, so I switched to Picasa and am very happy! I don't even have my stuff tagged yet, but can still find everything easily.

Hth! Debbie

[mrstucci]

Hi! I am using Picasa also for organizing my digistuff. I have had one glitch though-for some reason my embellishment folder no longer shows all the items! I have been communicating with someone to try and fix this issue but so far, nothing has worked. For that folder only I use the Finder with the Icon view. That works pretty well. But I do use Picasa and I like it! Free is nice. I have tried Shoebox and iPhoto and even Bridge but so far Picasa is working for me. I don't have my folders set up like Ro but I have a folder system that seems to work for me. I don't keep all the collections together-what I do when I have purchased a collection is to tag them all with the same collection name but then put the different items into their respective folders, i.e., paper into the Papers folder (I tag them as floral, dots, geometric, stripes, etc. and also tag them by color). Moving my stuff from Shoebox to Picasa meant that I lost some tagging and there is lots more to do- I work on it now and then and sometime down the road it will all be tagged and I will be caught up! lol Oh, the other oddity with Picasa that I have is that some items just purchased don't show up in the folder I have labeled, NEW TAG......... just some. Not sure why. Well, anyway, that's what I am using........ Judy

[barbz09]

I'm a mac user and just started using iphoto 9 for my digi scraps..I'm liking it. Setting up my folders as different events and I can see all the supplies in that kit. So far no problems, I still use a folder system on my hard drive for photos but thinking about sending those to iphoto

[JeannieH]

Man do I need to organize! I like IPhoto, but it is not PSE friendly (at least as far as I can figure out!) Using IScrapbook I can simply drag and drop all my Scrapgirls stuff into "My FAvorites" folder for repeated use. But then, I Photo works great with Iscrapbook as well. I am a new Mac user and love it, but need some quality time with my sweet computer!