image selection and filtering software

[poolgirl]

can someone recommend a good (and preferably free) software that quickly loads photos that are on the hard disk (in raw and jpg format) and allows one to easily browse and rate photos (by colour coding / stars / 1-5 ratings etc) and then subsequently view them by the categories specified?

i am currently using picasa, which works fine except for the woefully inadequate single starring system.

 

[Squid]

I am writing on the assumption that threat starter is a Nikon camera user. For Nikon camera user, Nikon ViewNX2 freeware will suffice requirement of handling RAW & JPEG files and multiple level of rating or classification via colour coding and star ratings.

 

[flipfreak]

lr and cs bridge can do what u want but its not free.

 

[poolgirl]

I am writing on the assumption that threat starter is a Nikon camera user. For Nikon camera user, Nikon ViewNX2 freeware will suffice requirement of handling RAW & JPEG files and multiple level of rating or classification via colour coding and star ratings.

thanks i am and it works (even on photos not taken with nikon cameras). i already have lightroom but find it too slow in loading pix.

 

[Octarine]

thanks i am and it works (even on photos not taken with nikon cameras). i already have lightroom but find it too slow in loading pix.

What exactly do you mean with 'slow'? It could be that the previews are not prepared and need to be created upon accessing the image. As a result, the image appears to load slowly. Check your Catalog Settings - File handling. Keep the previews for as long as you need, but keep in mind it will increase the size of the LR database. Also, check the LR Preferences - File handling, whether JPG previews are created upon import (should be the standard setting).