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You can also add keywords, captions, and “stars” to photos. You can apply any number of keywords to a photo – just hit Ctrl + K and then enter a keyword or select an existing one from the list. To add a caption, double-click on a photo to go into the edit mode, click underneath the photo (where a caption normally is), and enter your caption. Finally, if you want to deem a photo as one of your favorites, click the yellow star.

If you properly organize your photos, searching them is a snap. When you type in search terms, Picasa searches filenames, captions, keywords, folder names, labels, collection names, picture color, and camera maker/settings. You can even show only your favorites or use the slider for photos taken within a date range. And, because Picasa is made by Google, searching is super fast.

CD and DVD Burning

You never know when your hard drive is going to fail, so it is imperative that you back up your photos to preserve your memories. Fortunately, Picasa 2 has added a backup feature. You can only backup to CD or DVD. It doesn’t support backing up to another hard drive, though. Picasa makes backing up easy because it keeps track of what you have backed up. When you go to backup again, you only have to backup what is new or changed.

Picasa 2 also includes a Gift CD feature. You simply click the Gift CD button, choose the folders you want to include, and click Burn Disc. You have the option to include a built-in slideshow and even the option to include a Picasa installer. The burned CD or DVD only works on computers – they aren’t suitable for watching on a TV.

Fun Stuff

Picasa 2 adds some really neat new creative features. The collage is the most noteworthy. You can combine several pictures to look like a multiple exposure, make a picture grid or contact sheet, or create a “picture pile” (looks like a stack of polaroids). You can also create a poster up to 1000% bigger than the original photo. Picasa automatically prints either 4x6 or 8.5x11 sheets to be put together to form your poster-sized photo.

Sharing Photos

The original Picasa only let you order prints through one very expensive vendor. Picasa 2 gives you the choice to order through Snapfish, Walmart, Shutterfly, and Ofoto. You don’t even have to open your web browser. You can login to any of these sites through Picasa and upload your photos.

Of course, Picasa works perfectly with its picture-sharing sister program – Hello (click for my review). Emailing photos has been nicely integrated into Picasa as well. When you click the Email button, you have the option to use your own email client, a Gmail account (sign up for my newsletters and you’ll get your own Gmail account), or sign up for a free Picasa mail account. No matter which you use, Picasa automatically resizes the photo so it is appropriate for email.

The Bottom Line

Picasa has truly become the best free software on the web. It is very polished, full-featured, and extremely intuitive to use. And, it is very fast even if you have thousands of pictures in your library. I have tried several photo-organizing programs, but Picasa has become the only one I use. If you have a digital camera, you need to download Picasa now. Why not give it a try? It’s completely free.

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