Picasa software (free from Google) has two ‘arms’. It is an online Web Album (photo storage) and an Image Editing facility.

Consider the following:
· You’ve made some clipart and have a little stash.
· That stash of yours needs to be organized.
· Maybe you want to share what you’ve made with your online contacts but don’t have the skills or software to fashion a preview application.
· Maybe you need an online portfolio for your images.
· Maybe you need to get some images to someone online but your email facility is limited by file size.
· Maybe you would like your online contacts to be able to print your images.

I have an old version of Picasa and have not upgraded because the features have suited me just fine. A couple of new features like the Collage and Slideshow functions are quite tempting factors that have got me considering an upgrade.

The main reasons I like Picasa so much are because:
* Easy to navigate system and easy to use. An internet newbie can find their way around without too much hassle.
* Public or private albums. I can make folders and share photos with family who are not local, or have private albums that have work related images meant only for the eyes of certain parties.
* Sharing images is easy and there is a download button in case your guests want to print an image.

The features of interest to clipart fans are in the Picasa Photo Viewer. You can see multiple images at the same time, making selections a quicker process. You can use this portion of the program without having to run the entire Picasa program.

The ability to create folders and set them to public or private mode. You can email or print directly from the Picasa Photo Viewer application. A link is provided for each album and image. This has been a wonderful feature for me. I have been able to group my work projects as part of a digital portfolio.

Other Points of Interest:
· You can create movies or sideshows with your images. Adding music or a commentary would be helpful or just ‘clever’ in some instances.
· You are able to add and print captions. Captions are searchable.
· You can add a watermark or text to your images.
· There is a screen capture function, which is good for a better print quality image if the original has low resolution (or screen quality).
· You can make six kinds of collage with your images and print them. There are a number of display options.
· There is a good Help center of readable instruction and a Users Forum.
· For photos you can do some basic editing quickly and easily. Among other things you can increase highlights and darken shadows.
· You can apply a number of effects to your photos, including making them black and white or sepia or adding a film grain.

Go see what the fuss is about here.