Need a very simple camera-to-pc automatic downloader

My very non-computer-savvy parents are traveling overseas with a digital camera and laptop. I showed Mom how to use XP's automatic camera wizard to copy photos, but she seemed daunted by it. You have to click 'next' 10 times and it offers too many options.

Is there a free tool that will copy pics to disk with no user input at all? I want it to copy into the same folder every time and delete everything from the camera afterwards. She should be able to plug the camera in and have it say, "copying file 1 of 100 to folder 'Vacation photos' ....... Done." No fuss, no muss.

 

Arcsoft photosuite, with the right cam, or one of the Kodak pictureshare outfits...I think HP has something too, that works only with their cam's tho.

 

Vacation pics to disk

Hi Hummingbird -

Just for grins and giggles, what brand and model of digital camera are your folks taking with them?

Go here and check out some of the Digital camera tools. I use "cam2pc " and the Easyshare s/w (v2.1.0.55) that came with my Kodak CX4300 two years ago. NOT the bloated Kodak versions that have come along since.

A few recommendations that you may or may not have thought about:

1 - Go to a "professional" camera store (not Walmart) and ask what your parents will need in the way of extra equipment to make their equipment (chargers, converters, computers, etc.) compatible with Europe's (or anywhere else's) electrical systems. It is different almost everyhere from the USA!

2 - Depending on how many pictures they are planning to take, they should have at least two 128mb cards for their camera. Better too much storage capacity than too little.

3 - Depnding on the camera and it's demand for juice, having more than one, or even two, sets of 'camera manufacturer-suggested' rechargable batteries and a charger is a MUST! Trust me on this one. I've missed some really great shots because my "squirrel on the wheel" took a powder.

4 - A "Jump Drive" probably wouldn't be a bad idea. I have one made by Lexar that accepts 4 different types of cards and it sells for <$18 at my local Walmart.

I wish your parents Bon Voyage and a great trip and you an easier time seeing them off. HTH

When they get back, send me a picture of "the Emerald Isle ", (if that's the way they're headed) okay ?!?


Mike

P.S. Send me a PM and let me know what brand and model camera they have and I can get my youngest son, the professional photographer in the family, involved with some suggestions.

 

Yeah I mean you could even put a shortcut on the Desktop.