Friday, April 29, 2005

openRAW.org

Bad news for all digital SLR users: the camera manufacturers are starting to code their meta data within their RAW files. Which means, all third party software will have to do the de-coding works before they can get the important data to get the picture out from the RAW files. You are right that the original software will comes with all digital SLRs, but think about the following points:
- Computer OS changes over time. Your original program may not be usable after a few generation changes of OS. Are you sure your camera manufacturer will still support raw files of your camera model at, say, 10 years later? Worse, are you sure the camera manufacturer will still in business?
- Most original software run slowly, and the workflwo is horrable, especially if you have a large batch of RAW files to convert.

OPENRAW is a new organization pushing camera manufacturers to document their RAW files, so to make sure 3rd party developer can easily support every camera. That really makes your RAW file more accessable by different program, platform, and over time. Go there to have a look. They have a mailing list and is now asking members around the world to send press release to their local media. Help them if you can.

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