Re: Photos won't

Yves Alarie wrote:
Unfortunately, this happens because people are not paying attention when
they install photo editing software. Or, they simply do not understand the
offer being made when they install the software and the software offers to
be "the one" to open image files and by doing so will replace Microsoft
Picture and Fax Viewer as the default.
So we keep providing the same answer, but less so as people are getting more
familiar with XP and photo editing software.

"They" is an unending series of new users, and it is literally unending.
The reason they don't recognize what is happening is that each program
presents the "choice" in different language, expecting the answer "yes"
(if it presents any choice at all).

The service to the customer that needs to be provided is to present a
*warning* when he is about to change the prior behavior of the machine.
(Obviously, the dialog box should also contain a "Don't ask me again"
checkbox, for those who figure it all out.)

This kind of warning is different in degree but not in kind from a
warning that some program is attempting to rewrite the boot sector!

Your idea is fine, but try to explain this to a judge.
Apple can do this, not Microsoft!
The fact that Microsoft XP, an operating system, provides Picture and Fax
Viewer, Copy to CD, etc. is already very very close to the line of denying
software manufacturer of selling such.

The very purpose of an operating system, as it evolves over time, is to
incorporate the tools that are almost universally needed to use the
computer productively. Those tools include facilities for "browsing"
the content of the file system--like images, audio files, video files,
and so on.

The antitrust issue arises when the tools are inordinately biased toward
a particular set of data formats that are proprietary, and not standard.

For my money, an operating system should allow me to open a folder, right
click on it and have the option of sending the file names in the folder to
my printer. But no, I have to get this done from a third party software.
Microsoft thinks it is more appropriate for the operating system to print a
contact *** of every picture in a folder, instead of providing the ability
to print all the file names in a folder!

But the reason they don't support this directly is unrelated to
antitrust issues--they are just not very responsive to customer
needs, unfortunately.

Well, time for a beer!

Amen to that!

-michael


"Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:v_-dnaC8bPYuLIDZRVn-vw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Michael J. Mahon wrote:

Yves Alarie wrote:


This would be nice.
Don't count on this.
Microsoft can't do this.
There would be a lawsuit against Microsoft for implementing such.


No, it is easily defended as a protection against trojans, etc.
Remember, it's only a warning...

I should also note that the warning would only apply to *re-assignment*
of an existing association, not to establishing associations for new
file types. This would not interfere with most apps, but would only
warn when an app was about to change an *existing* association--which
a user has every right to countermand.


-michael



So we just answer how to change associations back to Windows Picture
and Fax
Viewer! And life goes on.

"Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:FuOdndSVz9AKXoHZRVn-hg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx


It seems clear from reading this group that *many* people are
having problems with their associations getting hijacked by
an application they install.

Windows needs to contain a warning dialog that can be selected
to appear whenever any program attempts to change associations,
like a pop-up blocker.

The reasonable expectation is that when a new program is installed,
it can be invoked to do new things, but that nothing that used to
work before will be altered.

-michael


John Inzer wrote:


jpaymar wrote:



I don't know how this happned but when I go to open some
of my photos.. which are jpg files... MSFT Front Page
opens and it says cannot load. This never used to happen.
How do I turn off that Front Page function or switch to
some other program to open the files.
Thanks in advance for your help!!!!
Jim,


========================
You need to change your image associations.

Have a look at this article:

(307859) HOW TO: Change File Associations
in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307859

More info:

Try this...open an image folder and right click one
of your image files...from the menu, select...Open
With / Choose Program.

Make your choice from the list or Browse to the
correct program if it is not in the list.

If you want the default...choose..."Windows
Picture and Fax viewer"

Once you make your selection...be sure to check
the box that says: "Always use the selected program
to open this kind of file". (you will need to do this
for each format....jpg, .tif, .gif...etc.)

Also...you can right click an image and choose
Properties / Change Button...choose the program
you wish to use and click...OK / Apply / OK.

Also...in WinXP, you can go to...My Computer /
Tools / Folder Options / File Types tab...

And the following links may be useful:

Repair image file type associations in Windows XP
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/imgassofix.htm

Change the default image editor application,
invoked from Windows Picture and Fax Viewer
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/imgeditor.htm

Windows® XP File Association Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
.