I gave it at try, sans success.

It installed fine, the issues so far seem to be application specific.

- FATAL - when I tried importing, my machine appeared to lock up, many files were imported but I could not do anything else (XP Pro sp3). I could not see status after I opened another app or bring any app in focus or on top. It may still have been importing, I could not tell.

- As a personal preference, it put the photos relative to the USB root drive, in this instance

E:\Documents\Pictures (replace E with the current drive)

For my usage, I would strongly prefer the images be in a sub folder of E:\PortableApps\MyPhotoIndexPortable.

E:\Documents\Pictures does not associate the folder with the specific application. Other apps might use E:\Documents\Pictures thus it is not a self contained application.

I have not tried the standard version since I'm seeking a portable app.

gerry

I used the file import wizard. Hardware is a Dell Latitude E5500m core duo, 4GB Ram. Sandisk Cruiser with the propritary U3 (comercialware) removed and Portable Apps installed

There are some files in the folder tree I imported that might be the problem, Corel Photopaint X4. I'll try some folders that don't have any unusual file types ...pause

I just imported (via wizard) a folder with .cpt files, they were simply ignored as I would have expected. The folder tree that failed has at least a thousand files, some very large. I'm not sure the best way to isolate the problem if it just wasn't taking too long and locked up Window's Z Axis system. I don't know if it finished, I eventually gave My Photo Index the three finger salute ;)

There is an additional feature that I would love. It might exist but I can't find it and it was one reason I was seeking a self contained portable app. Multiple library support. I find I just can't manage all my photos in one structure. Mine won't even fit on one stick.This would be a lot more work, but if the program supported a /library tree for multiple libraries and stored tags, thumb cache... all within each individualk library's tree one could separate different works and just copy desired library file tree. Any deleted or added library tree auto scanned at start up

Even more work ;) the ability to copy or move photos between libraries with tags, cache update...

Finally, a common shared tag file. Tags cold be added to the common file and copied to the specific library if used in that library.; Maybe the option to make a tag "common" and thus entered in the specific library and "commonly used" tag file.

I realize the multiple library support is a lot more work. Simply additional copies or the portable app would solve the "too many photos" issue. It only requires that the main folder be allowed to be an arbitrary name and all configuration and data UNDER that folder

An example of a problem is userSettings.config contains a specific reference "E:\PortableApps\MyPhotoIndexPortable\Data\MyPhotoIndex.mdb "E:" has to be dynamic for a portable app, for multiple instances "\PortableApps\MyPhotoIndexPortable\" needs to be dynamic also, discovered via the exe if not already. I was just point out one reference, noty knowing if it already is dynamic. Ideally I could copy an install from "\PortableApps\MyPhotoIndexPortable\" to something like "G:\MyVacationPhotos\ and have everything work. Note the omission of "\PortableApps\MyPhotoIndexPortable\. Portable Apps usually don't need the portable app menu system installed.

For example, Thunderbird Portable lets me put it anyplace I desire and have multiple copies. I actually put it on C: which doesn't have Portable Apps menu system installed and I just created a shortcut to each installation's exe. I can move it or sync each copy to another machine with no problems. Portable Applications Suite actually supports apps without a paf installer. One just needs to place the files under .\PortableApps\ and there is a fuction to add them to the menu. That feature is not yet mature but does work.

Thanks for the responses and your efforts!!!

gerry