Linux & Windows

Linux & Windows – Photoscape update.

R.W. McKenzieLeave a comment

Since the July article Linux and Software for Windows I’ve continued to use Both Windows 7 & 10 operating systems using VirtualBox.

I can now report that there has been a few issues, some which I haven’t found an answer too as yet. Most likely this is due to be not being particularly well versed in the finer points of using VirtualBox.

Win7.

My focus has been on using both the standard and windows 10 versions of Photoscape as this is Freeware and available to all Linux users. On my native Linux operating system I use Photoscape V3.7 and run it using the MS software emulation Q4Wine and it runs pretty well if a little slower than on a native Windows system. Running the same version Photoscape V3.7 on VirtualBox 5.2.32 was the same as running under Win7 native install. The only issue with this was my printer was not recognised by VirtualBox no matter what I did. But for editing files and placing them in an edits folder for printing later was a seamless and fast operation. Performance of Photoscape V3.7 was excellent.

Win10.

Running Photoscape X in Virtual Box with windows 10 was very good as well, however I had exactly the same issue with VirtualBox and my printer, so again it was edit the files, save them then print from my Linux OS.

Photoscape X has all the power that V3.7 has but with a good deal more tools available and there are even more tools available should you choose to purchase the full Pro version and the cost is minimal especially compared to what some of the more Pro level editors can set you back. One irritation with Photoscape X is the Clone Stamp tool.

In the 3.7 version this is a standard tool, where as in the X version its considered a Pro level tool and you have to pay for the Pro Version to be able to use this tool. Make up your own minds about this, but for me it is enough for me to for go using this version as earlier versions included this for free.

Of the three ways that I can run Photoscape, I find the best result is from Photoscape V3.7 running in Win7 via VirtualBox. The operation and performance of Photoscape is fast and seamless and feels exactly like it did when I run it purely in a full windows PC.

I also tried running both Windows OS’s in the latest Version (6.10.1) of VirtualBox and unfortunately Photoscape wouldn’t run at all, so there appears to be some issue(s) surrounding the latest version and its extension that have yet to be sorted out so for now I will continue using the earlier version of VirtualBox.

Edited using Photoscape V3.7 in Win7 via VirtualBox

As for printing, thats currently being done from my native Linux OS which I will detail in a later update.

 

Photographic Talk

Site update

R.W. McKenzie1 Comment

As you will have noticed the look of A Kiwiretrospective has undergone an update. The intention being to make pages faster loading and more streamlined especially for those of you using mobile devices. Hopefully this a forward step and makes your time here a little less tedious and more enjoyable when using mobile devices.

As always if you should note anything thats not working  a quick email would be appreciated otherwise sit back & enjoy your time with us.

Photographic Talk

Linux and Software for Windows

R.W. McKenzie1 Comment

Following on from the Digital Darkroom Series we will take a look at dispelling some concerns that people have when using Linux as the preferred operating system rather than Windows. We will try a number of Windows based programs to see how they do or dont work.

By way of introduction the following video clip is of my Linux based PC and operating system running Windows 10 in Virtual Box and using Photoscape X

We will walk through the installation of these programs in further articles. For now watch me mess about with a 35mm film image, which will be shown at the conclusion of this series in a finished form. To see things clearly view the video in full-screen mode.

Every thing you see is happening in real time, and any jitteryness is due to running the screen recording software which impacts on the overall performance. I will post some recommended computer specs so you can see how well your system stacks up.