Resizing Photos (in Windows)

Looking for a (free) way to freely resize photos? Try one of these...

Using Image Resizer PowerToy (for Windows XP)
To install:

1. Download the installer for the Image Resizer from Microsoft (here).
2. As an administrator, run the installer.
3. It should now be integrated into the context menu for Windows Explorer (i.e. when you right-click on images).

To use:

1. In Windows Explorer, select one or more images.
2. Right-click and choose "Resize Pictures".
3. Options include a specific bounding size (can make images larger or smaller) and whether to resize the originals.

Pros:

• Works on multiple images at once.
• Intuitive interface (i.e. easy for technically-challenged users).
• Easy to specify exact dimensions.
• (Optionally) creates copies.

Cons:

• Works only on Windows XP.

Using Microsoft Paint (MSPaint)
"MSPaint" should already come installed.

To open an image file, do one of the following (whichever is easiest):

• From the Start menu, choose "All Programs > Accessories > Paint" (the options might be slightly different, depending on your version of Windows). Now click "File > Open" and find your image file.
• In Windows Explorer, right-click on an image file and choose "Edit".
• Double-clicking on an image file should open Windows Picture and Fax viewer. Find the button that with the tool-tip something like "Close this program and open it in an editing program."
• Right-click on an image file and choose "Open With... > Paint".
• If all else fails, open a Run dialog (choose "Run..." from the Start menu), type "mspaint" and hit OK. Now click "File > Open" and find your image file.

 To resize an image (once MSPaint is open):

• Once you have an image file open in MSPaint, find out the current dimensions of your image. Choose "Image > Attributes..." from the menu (or use the shortcut "Ctrl+E"). Make sure the unit is pixels.
• To resize the image, choose "Image > Stretch/Skew..." from the menu (or use the shortcut "Ctrl+W").
• Under Stretch, enter the desired scale to the original image dimensions in both the Horizontal and Vertical options. For example, if my original image is 2000x3000 pixels and I want it to fit in an 800x800 px frame, I'd use 26.6 as the scale in both dimensions (since 3000 is the larger dimension and 800/3000 = 26.6).
• Hit OK.
• If you didn't get the scale right, choose "Edit > Undo" from the menu (or use the shortcut "Ctrl+Z") and try again.
• If you do like the new dimensions, choose "File > Save As..." from the menu (or use the shortcut "Ctrl+S") and enter a new file name.
• If at any time you decide that you don't really want to resize the image, use "File > Open..." to choose a different image file or use "File > Exit" to close Paint.

Pros:

• Pre-installed.
• Easy to find.

Cons:

• One image at a time.
• Un-intuitive to find and use "Stretch/Skew" in menu.
• Can only resize dimensions by percentages (break out your calculators).
•  Requires that you know the current dimensions.

How to block Flash web advertisements

This is probably the second most useful advice I can give you.

If you want to block annoying Flash ads in your web-browser, I recommend installing AdBlock Plus, a free plugin for Firefox, or the and Google Chrome (perhaps other browsers).

The Firefox plugin can be installed here. The Chrome extension can be installed here.

How it works:

1. You install the plugin/extension,
2. You subscribe to a filter list (for example, "EasyList for USA),
3. As you browse web-pages, external content that matches the filter rules aren't even downloaded!
4. Your filter list gets regularly updated as filter rules are updated.
5. You can add your own rules to block other undesired content.

I've been advertisement-free for the past two years, and it's awesome.

Regards,
/E

Install AdBlock Plus for Firefox in "just over one minute":

By way of introduction...

I am a Computer Scientist.

I earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science. At my current day job, I am a web-developer-slash-database-administrator. I offer occasional technical support services on the side, but I won't acknowledge that this in person. The reason is simple:

Everyone has issues with their computer!

("It's running too slow", "I can't download the internet", "I don't know how to resize my 6MB photos before emailing them to you", etc.)


I would still like to contribute to the community what little experience and advice I have to offer. This may range from advice on what software packages to use, helpful security tips, how to fix that annoying whatever-it-is at start-up, etc. I don't expect to have any regular followers because I probably won't have much time to blog anyway. I just hope for an occasional hit from Google search.

Best regards,
/E