FAQ - PhotoGPSEditor

Frequently asked questions about PhotoGPSEditor:

I have found a bug...

Well, sorry about that! Ever care was taken to squash bugs but as with any complicated and large project some slip through. The program has been extensively tested. Please send your bug report to photogpseditor_buemail@mmisoftware.co.uk, with full details of your machine and what happened, and we will attempt to squash the little so-and-so as soon as possible.

Will there be a 'universal binary' version of PhotoGPSEditor

Yes! You are using it!

What is PhotoGPSEditor?

PhotoGPSEditor is a program that allows you to edit or add 'meta-data' to a picture (the program supports a wide range of image formats including JPEG, TIFF and RAW images) file. Once this data has been added it stays associated with the file unless the file is re-written by a program that does not support 'meta-data'. With PhotoGPSEditor it is also possible to extract data (latitudes and longitudes) from GPS (gpx or NMEA) files and match it, using times from the GPS files and the photo, with the photo files.

Is there a tutorial to help get things started?

Yes. It is built in to the program. Use the 'step-by-step' tagging 'wizard' and it will walk you through the process. (There are also some photos, and a GPS data file, included with teh program.)

What is 'picture meta-data' and why would I want to add it to a photo?

Picture meta-data is additional data associated with a picture / photo that describes the picture in some way so that the picture can be found by searches or catelogued. For example, if you took some pictures whilst on holiday you could add meta-data (keywords / description) to the pictures that describes the picture. In addition, you could also add 'location' information.

This 'meta-data' can be added to your pictures by using PhotoGPSEditor. A description of the picture can be added and by placing a pointer on the map in the 'map window' location date for the picture can be added. Once a photo has 'position' information PhotoGPSEditor will query a database at http://terraserver-usa.com/ to find the nearest town/area/country for those coordinates and this information will also be added to the meta-data for the photo.

PhotoGPSEditor can also take 'track-data' from a GPS unit and match the track position to the photo. This way it is possible to geocode (i.e. add location data) to many photos at one time.

Further information on 'meta-data' and geocoding. To purchase a GPS unit please visit the MMISoftware GPS store.

I don't have any GPS track data. Can I still add goecoding (latitude and longitude) data to my photos?

Yes you can. As long as you know where the photos were taken, and can find the place on a map, then it is possible to add geocoding (latitude and longitude, and location) data to a photo using PhotoInfoEditor from MMISoftware.

PhotoGPSEditor only handles GPS files in the gpx and NMEA formats. How can I convert my GPS files to gpx or NMEA?

The easiest way to do this is to use GSPBabel+.

To purchase a GPS unit please visit the MMISoftware GPS store.

What can I do with my photos once I have added 'meta-data' on location and image description?

There are a number of things you can do. Photos with added meta-data can be searched for by using 'Spotlight' on Mac OS X. This is a great way to store and find photos as required.

The tagged photos can also be loaded up to sites such as kodakgallery, smugmug, snapfish, shutterfly, fotki, flickr and zoomr.

Why was PhotoGPSEditor developed?

MMISoftware has been developing a website called theSnowSite, which provides information on ski and snow-boarding areas / resorts around the world. As part of the development process a certain amount of geocoding of resort GPS data and photos has been carried out. To help with this process PhotoGPSEditor was developed.

If you have some photo that you wish to add meta-data' or geocoding, and you don't have any GPS data, but can locate the place where the pictures were taken on a map, then you might like to have a look at PhotoInfoEditor from MMISoftware.

Why is PhotoGPSEditor free?

Well, why not? As the 'editor' uses Google maps and some 'code libraries' that are 'public domain' it was decided to make PhotoGPSEditor free. (See 'legal' for more information.) If you would like to support the continued development of PhotoGPSEditor then please consider making a donation via PayPal or through signing up for services, or buying goods, at TrialPay.

Alternatively, you can help support the development of PhotoGPSEditor by making purchases of GPS units and cameras from the MMISoftware GPS and camera stores.

How can I stop that annoying 'nag' screen displaying when I start the program?

If you make a donation through PayPal or through signing up for services, or buying goods, at TrialPay you will get an 'activation code' which will prevent the 'nag' screen showing at start-up and will remove 'donation' buttons from the program interface.

Why did that window appear at the start and why are there now Prints, GPS store, Camera store and Donation buttons in the window?

PhotoGPSEditor is free. However, if you would like to help support the development of the software then you may wish to consider making a donation, or by making purchases of GPS units and cameras from the MMISoftware GPS and camera stores.

PhotoGPSEditor is Adware?

No it is not. Yes, there are links to MMISoftware GPS and camera stores built in to the program, but you don't have to click on the links to use the program. There is also a link to give a donation, again you don't have to click on it, or make a donation. The program is fully functional. However, if you would like to help support the continued development of the program then you may wish to consider making purchases via the MMISoftware stores.

What is the minimum system configuration I will need?

PhotoGPSEditor requires Mac OS X 10.4 or greater. In general, if your machine meets the requirements to run Mac OS X, and is running 10.4 or greater, it should be able to run PhotoGPSEditor.

Why do I have to use Mac OS X 10.4 ('Tiger'), or greater?

The reason 10.4 ('Tiger') or greater is required is becasue PhotoGPSEditor uses some system features and 'calls' that are only available in 10.4. There will be no support for OS less than 10.4. For more details on 10.4 please visit www.apple.com

How was PhotoGPSEditor developed?

PhotoGPSEditor was developed on a MacBook Pro. The program has been extensively tested on a MacBook Pro, a MacBook and 'lampstand' iMac (PPC). It has also been used on an eMac and a 'slot loading' iMac, all running Mac OS X 10.4. Development was carried out using the development tools (Xcode and Interface Builder) and tested with MallocDebug and ObjectAlloc.

Why was Cocoa used?

It is the future of the Mac! It also allows access to all the new features which are part of Mac OS X.

Will there be a Mac OS 9 version of PhotoGPSEditor?

No! PhotoGPSEditor was developed for Mac OS X. There are no plans to port it to Mac OS 9.

Will there be a Windows version of PhotoGPSEditor?

No!

If you have any further questions please e-mail: faemail@mmisoftware.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions about PhotoGPSEditor