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It is probably better for you than a lot of programs you might buy!
If you download the PlugIns that go with it, just about any file you try to open in it will open. If you sometime get a file, say a picture, that the assoication is not correct, drag and drop it into Irfan Viewer. It will tell you by a small window that the file association is wrong, indicate to you that it will correct if if you click Yes.
It is a slideshow, a photo editor, along with other things. You can't go wrong by downloading it. Don't forget the PlugIns. They are larger is size than the program itself.
It can do batch conversions of those large bitmaps to jpg's for emailing. It can open nearly any image file there is. It can detect mistaken file endings and correct them. It also plays nearly any media file from mp3's to avi's. Etc.
For a free program, it is very good. It is small, fast, and doesn't conflict with any other program (unless you set it to be the default program for particular file types).
Preference:
Do not allow it to associate or become default viewer for any extension but....
Put shortcut on desktop. Drag and drop all the files or folders with the extensions from txt to avi to wav to mp3 to shaockwave flash and all in-between that plug-ins allow and irfanview opens them like a champ. Arrows to scroll quickly back and forth if a folder contains more than one playable/viewable, plus all the other things it can edit or modify if you so desire. Great for those small quickie peeks or tweaks. It is much faster and less resource intensive to open,use and close then many *.extension registered/associated defaults.
I suspect that sooner or later this freeware isn't going to remain freeware, just as StarOffice didn't. I grab it and burn/backup everytime something new comes out pertaining to this "keeper".
Last edited by goddez1; 5th January 2004 at 19:24.
I suspect that sooner or later this freeware isn't going to remain freeware, just as StarOffice didn't
Ann, I had the same suspicion for the first 3-4 years I used the app. I've about decided that for whatever reason, it's gonna stay freeware.
As for not letting it be the default viewer for anything, why not? I have it set as the default for any file type it can handle and it works fine for the way I use a PC. Easy enough to change a single file type to something else if there is a problem.
I sure hope it remains freeware but I'll keep including it in backups, just in case.
Deciding or switching default associations may be easier for some than others. I just prefer to keep windows as close to defaults as possible to avoid trouble. Those little unforeseen glitches can cause such big headaches. I guess the lessons learned from past "association hijacking" debacles have stuck and this has now become a preference/habit when installing any application with association options.
In truth I have so many programs, "editors, palyers and viewers", and as I bounce around and tend to use each, based on the task, I try not to have any default associations. I'd rather rightclick choose, dragNdrop or open/play the file from within the program.
To me, Irfanview should be on everyone's computer. It's the only program I let be default anything: images only. I use it for viewing whatever I can view.
It does all kinds of things with images, including capturing stills from movie files. Version 3.85 has the ability to burn slideshows to CD with one button, if you use Nero.
I think the developer gets a lot of money from people. It's one of the few sharewares that I've paid for!
Just download the newest version of Irfanview (3.85) and the plug-ins. I assume one already has Nero.
In the slideshow setup, one of the options on the right is BURN TO CD. Just follow the instructions. People who don't even know how to burn a CD can do this. Just pop the CD in the burner and Irfanview takes care of the rest.
There may be "better" graphics management programs. But none easier and this thing is legit free!
Irfanview
