MX Linux Forum

Everyone seems to have a strong opinion on photo managers.. which photo manager do you prefer to use and would like to see in MX KDE?

None of them. I'm to fawn for XnView

Irfanview is a single step away should MX25 come with Wine.

Gwenview.
Because I think any KDE implementation should come with as many KDE apps as possible.
KDE is a case apart among DEs insofar as the many KDE applications are designed and maintained by the same team and they're integrated in the whole ecosystem seamlessly.
I know some are not without faults, but most are good and some are brilliant.

gimcrack wrote: Tue Jan 28, 2025 4:35 pmNone of them. I'm to fawn for XnView

+1.
I was a great IrfanView user in my Windows days, but XnViewMP is a more than capable replacement... especially if it's well configured (this'll take some time but makes it a fast and reliable pic manager).

1. Is XnView in the repos?
2. Is XnView native app (use KDE/Qt framework)?

I will probably not include apps that are not in the Debian repo (or at least MX repo) and I will give priority for KDE/Qt apps.

DigiKam seems to be the best photo manager. GwenView is more like a viewer than a manager.

And even then, as a simple photo viewer nomacs or qView work much better and are significantly faster.

XnView also for me

Adrian wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 9:43 am1. Is XnView in the repos?
2. Is XnView native app (use KDE/Qt framework)?

FWIW, MXPI tells me it's a Popular Application and it also appears in the main repo. As to Qt apparently it's a Qt app: https://forum.xnview.com/viewtopic.php?t=40264

Don't listen to MXPI, it lies. It's not in the Debian or MX repo, it pulls it directly with this command "wget https://download.xnview.com/XnViewMP-linux-x64.deb"

XnView is a proprietary app, it shouldn't be installed by default.

Dearth wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 3:26 pm XnView is a proprietary app, it shouldn't be installed by default.

Good point, it's "freeware".

As a long time photographer my thoughts.
Many photographers in the foss world would would use Rapid Photo Downloader https://damonlynch.net/rapid/help.html to download into whichever structure they choose, highly configurable.
For a viewer Geeqie https://www.geeqie.org/
For both organisation and raw conversion/editing darktable https://www.darktable.org/
Just for raw conversion/editing RawTherapee https://rawtherapee.com/ or ART https://github.com/artpixls/ART

Put it simplistic: dIgikam is a photo manager. Gwenview is an image viewer. The former is an overkill when someone does not care for photo management. The latter is not adequate for photo management.
So, both have a place in any complete kde installation.
SInce the discussion is about KDE, i would consider kphotoalbum too but i have not worked with it.

I use Gwenview but on occasion a use Shotwell to download photos from our Android phones.
Since Linux is meant to be personalized I think it best to stick with Gwenview as it is a default
kde app and let people add whatever they think they need in addition.

+1

banko wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:24 am For a viewer Geeqie https://www.geeqie.org/

Geeqie is a fine choice, but isn't it GTK based?

gimcrack wrote: Tue Jan 28, 2025 4:35 pm None of them. I'm to fawn for XnView

Yes, XnView is fine and powerful ... and Geeqie is a fine too. (for KDE or else)

RAWTherapee is not a manager, but a RAW converter, absolutely unsuitable for managing image stocks!
I am not a KDE user, under Fluxbox I use Fotocx (formerly Fotoxx)
as a KDE user I would probably prefer digikam

Here is what I currently use, or try to use.
Rapid Photo Downloader, although development seems to have stalled because the developer has some health issues.
XnView MP as a viewer and basic photo manager. Yes, it is not open source or KDE native, but I still use it. Keep it as is in MXPI, this makes it easy to install and up to date.
Gwenview, although I don't use it often, it is a KDE project and seems to do the basics.
Digikam, in my mind a proper photo manager. Powerful but complex, I am still learning but use it. It would be great if it was kept up to date in MXPI.

Some observations.
RawTherapee is not a photo manager but a raw converter and editor.
DarkTable is also a raw converter and editor but has some basic photo organizing abilities. I don't have any experience with it.
I don't think gThumb and Shotwell are KDE apps so I would leave them out and try to keep the included programs KDE native.
I tried KPhotoAlbum but it did not work for me, others may have more success.
The KDE project has a program called Photos, used to be Koko I believe, which may be an option but I have not used it.

Well, that's my 2 cents worth

I've been looking for a linux RAW photo viewer and editor a long time. I gave up NOTHING comes even close to Adobe Bridge or Photoshop
The one program that can handle RAW can only open 1 photo, there is no overview like in Bridge. So sadly i am still stucked with MS as dualboot.

GwenView or KPhotoAlbum. Have not tried XnView till now.

Forgot to mention ACR Adobe Camera Raw which comes as a 'plug in' for photoshop. Havent found anything alike in linux environment.