@ #52 KD,
yes, i understand, but most times for me it is just easier
to re-install OS whenever i run into some problems...That
way im relatively sure that any malware is gone or any
suspect programs ive installed that caused conflicts are
entirely removed....

The point is, id like to try their program for the full year
and dont mind registering if i have to...

Ok in answer to my own question in #61 I have finally figured it out after reading through the post, thank's everyone for all the info and GAOTD for a great little program

I only got to try this out yesterday evening after downloading and activating on the 29th and although it is a great little program it says it is only a trial and won't put my watermark on the picture just an ugly Winwatermark logo all over it.....Is anyone else having this problem....it said it was activated ok
Jan

Nice going for a free stuff of yesterday's giveaway for free.(02/29/08)

Winwatermark, watermarks your pictures with a a red font unregistered message.

So much for a a free offer that comes as a trial.

10000 thumbs down, not to mention the quality of the foftware. Another 10000 thumbs down.

@25
I could not agree more that this should not be a compliments page, this is the perfect place to condemn or compliment each program on offer. My annoyance is the people that rubbish a program without a constructive explanation. I refer you to comments like #13 and #48.
I think my comment was more a general comment on what seems to be appearing more and more in these forums - mindless abuse rather than "I like or don't like this program because..."

Very good software. I was looking for such software and it just feel into my lap. Thank you so much.

The ease of adding a personalised watermark to several hundred images astounded me. Definately a thumbs up.

Thanks GOTD but i'll pass on todays giveaway ... this program is great for those folks who are beginners and don't have a decent image editor eg: PhotoShop-PSP and yes even GIMP and etc... for us folks who do own one or more of the above editors ...this program is a waste of hard drive space...and for the price way over the top. I agree it should be a give away to attract customers. Once again thanks GOTD you folks rock.

It functions. It appeared "clumsy" to insert Text or Image as a Watermark. There felt like a "disconnect" between the Action and the Graphic Result. Hmmmm....couldn't it work with a Direct hands-on interface for those objects? Move them as in a simple graphic editor, with Watermarked Text/Image in some scaleable marque(?).

I guess it's OK, just...no big deal. Oddly, my Samsung laser printer has a fine Watermarking feature in its native printer utility. If someone could incorporate such a minimalistic GUI and do a comparable-or-more-featured Watermark utility, well...you'd have a "category-killer", yes? This isn't it, but...Thanks :-)

Installed, Activated and ran fine on the XP system. Does what it says it will do.

However, this completely did a free-up on the ME machine. No matter what I did I could not get this to run on ME as it just locked the comp up every time I tried. Uninstall did not appear under the ADD/Remove Prog. But was in the program folder.

If anybody is still running a ME machine, try at your own risk.

Hello !

I'm new here @ GiveAwayOfTheDay and I'd like to that ALL of the software developers and purveyors who provide their programs and applications for FREE distribution here !!!

Thank You to ALL of the "commenters" on this product! I had originally thought that this might be a program I could use, but after reading all (51, so far) of the comments, I realized that I don't really have a "need" for this program. BUT... if I did have a need for a "watermarking" program, I found out today (on here) that there are a number of such programs available, and that some of them are FREEware.

Keep Up The GOOD WORK, Everybody !!!

Robin
Eugene, Oregon USA

#46 Jeff ... do you not understand what this site is all about? These companies are allowing you to "use" the program in a full version format. Instead of the trial version, if you choose to "re-install" your system you loose it. If you like it so much shell out the money and "buy it"! honestly, you have some major PC issues (or user issues)if you are planning on a reinstall. 5 years here on the same install of XP Pro and several hardware changes. My OS is still stable! Besides I have 3 other machines I install the giveaways on "just incase" even so I have never reinstalled the OS on them either. The days of windows 95 and 98 are gone, you should not have to reinstall the system all the time.

I use Watermarker for auction pics. It's free, very simple to use and does everything I want it to.

Thank you for the Ctr-T tip for Irfanview Cornyfleur! Very useful for me.

I can't get it to go past the activating box. When I click on setup I get that box and then another box comes up that says it can't do it right now and to try again later.

Man, I'm not even going to bother trying this. I know you're supposed to try stuff before making comments, but even Paint or Windows Photo editor (which comes free with Office 2007) Can do the same thing, and more. Thanks for all the comments.

Perfect ^^ Exactly what I was looking for, thanks :D

the only problem i have with most of these programs is that they wont survive an OS re-install, unlike Mamutu a few days ago....this is the main issue for me...would be nice if GOTD could consider this, i dont mind registering with a company online in order to be sure i can use their product for the usual full year...i know im going to lose the recent Chess program before too long..... i wonder what others think on this subject

Bravo #17 Hopefully Winwatermark is listening! A digital signature would be perfect!

Yes today this program is free, I do believe that programmers should get paid for the work they do, but if I had to buy this at the $29.90, I would pass on it, but maybe consider $14.95.

Yes this program is simple to use it is a simple program. I do like the quick framing feature. The watermark is ok and easy to use.

As for FREE Irfanview, I have tried several programs and spent a fortune on several of them I shudder when someone suggests this program. #16 I have said this in here before about this program. It is what it is FREE, and you get what you pay for. Works great for people that point and shoot. I on the other hand tend to lean to the art of photography.

#2 your comment was the 2nd comment .. where do you get this "several people already thrusting their thumbs without trying this program first" have you not seen there is a default thumbs up and down?? One comment before you and you have to complain!!!

#22 You have to realize some of these whiners are kids without jobs. Some are just born to complain, and there is nothing worse then an adult born complainer without a job! :-)
As for the price the companies are selling the program for, it is good to get feed back on the price from users in here. I am certain they use some of the remarks in GAOTD in future marketing.

Have a good day everyone and Thanks again Giveaway of the day for another chance to try out something new.

I tried out several of the links posted here and then tried this giveaway. I have to say that I found WinWatermark very easy and intuitive to use and had immediate success. The other programs looked great, but I found it difficult to accomplish what I wanted - a simple watermark of text over the picture.

In order to save the file as a different picture, you simply have to click *to folder* instead of *original folder*. Then click on the little bubble next to it to select where you want the new picture to go.
One disadvantage (I think it was mentioned in the 15 minute review) is that you have to re-enter your text each batch. So I'll post a sticky with my favorite settings to make it easier.

Oh - and don't forget to register it by clicking on the ?. It would be a shame to let this little gem get away!

Just going by previous offerings: ImageBadger and MediaRiserPro are better offerings. If you don't have one this is ok but not very configureable: the renaming process is very simplistic, like www.faststone.org and not like flash renamer which seems to be par of what these batch converters do. A 3 -- for mediocre on the hit parade.

Just a heads up...

If you copy the program folder to a USB Flash drive (AFTER you have registered the programme btw) it appears to work fine.

Thanks GAOTD!

I've installed the free giveaway today. Frankly, I quite like the easy and quick fix of adding frame on my photos. I know PhotoShop quite well but this software saves me time from creating the frame from scratch. The program size is small which means less chance of getting my PC to suddenly freeze when I am editing large image like with Photoshop.

Many people mention Irfan View and Gimp. Can anyone tell me if these also has the option for adding background frame? Thanks.

I had hopes for this from the description. It's about to be deleted.
A minor point is the means by which you add text to the watermark. Maybe it's not that at all.
But primrily: any program that fixes its window at 640 x 480 - no resizing/maximising - goes straight to the rubbish bin.
Incredible that people are still writing programs like this. :-/

Thank you all who post links to alternative free software programs. I appreciate the chance to compare from the ones that people have already tried and can recommend. And thank you GAOTD for offering us the chance to download these programs and providing us a place to learn more about them from real users!

I question whoever '-'ed #34.

Half of what makes GAOTD so good is the availability of freeware alternatives that the users post in comments such as these. I'd never have heard of Threatfire, for example, if people didn't suggest alternatives. No one's saying the programs GAOTD offers are bad; they're saying there are other alternatives that you might want to check out, and a lot of the time, the alternatives are better.

Thank you GOTD and today's contributor,

For today's lovely giveaway. Download and test using one of my pet's picture. I agree with #10 J.D for mentioning some of the 'disadvantage' for the limitation. These are other 'Pro' and 'Cons' I notice after only trying out for '2 minutes'.

Con:
1)No 'drag and drop' function
2)couldn't resize the "window" so is a big 'pain' for big photo (as J.D mentioned)

3)no 'undo' function so have to cancel and go back 'step 1' if make 'mistake'

Pro:
1) The 'opacity' is quite interesting to create 'transparency' effect (I try the 'water drops Frame' and create like a 'raining' effect)

2) The 'scroll bars' for opacity and rotating make it flexible and easy to 'display' watermark for image and text (which 'kind' of accommodate the 'lack of' drag and drop function.


As my point of view (simple user), I find this software for the nice interface, quite useful and easy to use. But not for more advance user as the features are too limited. The 'Frames' are in bitmap format, if it 'allow' us to place in any bitmap image to 'enrich' the 'variety' then this will be a 'plus' for sure as some software 'restrict' this. I yet to 'explore' the further possibilities of this software . Since I only 'play' for a very short time. just hope to let others to have brief ideas about this software. As usual I really appreciate GOTD Team to provide us lovely softwares and games for us daily. Thank you for your hard work.

Have a great day everyone :)

Ashampoo gives away a full version of their picture editing software Photo Commander 4:
http://www.pcmag.co.uk/vnunet/downloads/2165824/ashampoo-photo-commander

As far as I can tell it does everything this program does, and a lot more.

10. do one of the two things listed below
1) Save in a deferent name you type (save as), or
2) Make a copy of the the originals, Rename it, and use the copy with the program.
Number 2) sound better for you still have the originals. untouched and in a deferent folder from the copy.

As with any giveaway, there are those who say, "But such-and-such program does the same job even better!" I've already read several comments pointing users to GIMP or Irfanview.

Then there are those who comment, "Enough with the comparisons! Comment on TODAY'S giveaway, not on alternatives!" This message is for you, my friends-- Let it go! One of my favorite aspects of the GAOTD site is that I can investigate not only the free software offered, but also comparable programs suggested by the site's knowledgeable and helpful users.

Sometimes I opt for the giveaway of the day, sometimes one of the alternatives is exactly what I'm looking for, and truly DOES the job better! Stop trying to be the message board police. Let Bubby handle that job-- he does it spectacularly. Sit back, relax, and let it go!

#17 - I'm also a photographer, and embed digital watermark on my pro photos. I use Digimark ID for that. Yet, even that can be easily removed using a program such as Thumbs Plus. Watermarking is nothing more than keeping honest people honest.

Who cares what Gimp can do? Until the day comes when GAOTD is actually asking for comments on Gimp then save them 'till that day. Meanwhile you are just clogging this page with your useless comments.

#7 - Did you miss something? This IS free, today, so technically, it IS Freeware.

The program is simple, easy to work with, and for watermarking it's a good little piece of software. It lacks a little on the frames as I have only been able to find one style that can be manipulated in size, but then, I only played with the program for ten minutes. It does a little more than the previous GOTD watermark program, uMark Professional. But it just depends on what you want, or need. I'm happy with uMark, and now will enjoy playing with WinWatermark. Thanks GOTD and the Watermark people.

For those of you that need the ability to add Watermarks to your images this program does the job. Very Simple interface, just try the options and you'll see you can add multiple watermarks using images or text as your watermark. Opacity levels are easily set, positioning is also simple.

Open a folder or a single image, your choice. You can apply multiple watermarks per photo imported. You have a choice of where the images can be saved to, or you can overwrite the originals in the default directory they are pulled from.

I already have a watermark software package that does the very same thing so I have no need for it, however if you don't have one and need to use one that's effectively what it says, this is a good choice and the abilities to learn how to use it are minimal. I watermarked an entire folder in less than 5 minutes. Given I have done this before with similar software and interface, it was a quicker learn and process, but it really is useful and does what it says.

@ # 10 J.D.
I agree with your first 4 points
but concerning #5
quoted :
"-The default output folder is the original folder. However pictures are not saved with a new name and the only option is to overwrite the originals."
you should have another look at the tool :
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg31/graylox/winwatermark/rename-destinationfolder1ab.jpg
#6 I don't know, how good or bad your English is, but I know mine :(
#7 It is like it is, this is the version we get for FREEE today.
--------------------
@ # 20 Brenda
Did you really read the readme.txt ???

What a waste of time. If you don't pay for the full version then this TRIAL version plasters WinWatermark on your photo thereby defeating the purpose of identifying the owner of the work.

I don't know why anyone would be foolish enough to buy this for 30.00 when one can do it for free with GIMP. I got a look at the program, and its not worth what they want for it.

Hello all! Today's 15-Minute Review is up! Check it out!

http://www.bladedthoth.com/reviews/15mrs/winwatermark-v2-2/

@22

I cannot understand you coming here and lecturing about these comments.
Do you not realise that this is a comments tab and not compliments ? If we like a particular program, compliments show up as comments; if another one is terrbily, critism will flood the comments tab.
This tab is called comments not "compliment or you will be shot".

i've found it useful.

But:
- Interface nice, but very very slow and unconvenient!
- program doesn't save settings after restart. so i have to choose watermarking options every time i use it.

i'll try to find more faster and free program.

The only time I ever have a need for watermarking my images is when uploading & posting them to my blog. Luckily I can do this with Windows Live Writer (freeware), as I am making my post by just clicking the image and setting the options. The copy of the image uploaded will be watermarked with my text on both the thumbnail in my post and the full size it is linked to, without altering the original on my hard drive in any way. I think I prefer this for convenience, ease, and preserving the original.

I'll pass on this one today and stick with what I have.

I cannot understand all the people that come here and winge and moan about these programs.
Do you not realise that no one is forcing you to download it or use it. If you do not need or like a particular program - simply do not download it.
This site is called Giveaway - not "download it or you will be shot"

I just thought it a little odd that the program description starts off by saying that it is "a professional all in one image editing software" but then later says it is a "useful and simple photos processor". I'm not complaining about the software, I just wonder if anyone saw the irony in the description stating that the program is an all-in-one image editing utility and yet simultaneously simple and then goes on to describe the few additional things it can do besides create watermarks?

Nice program, but no registration code came with the ReadMe.txt file, or the activation either.
Don't know if others have the same problem?
But indeed this program looks great.
Thanks GAOTD

#12 (Julian), It's like this... There are very few programs that have NO strings attached.

(1) When I find a site where every program is FREE...FREE...FREE and there is no sign of how they earn money to support themselves, I run away fast. These programs are invariably loaded with malware.

(2) Some sites give away free programs to attract users to their other offerings, which require payment.

(3) Then, there's GOTD where contributors hope to gain income from sales of other programs and through the registration of updates.

It's like watching movies on TV. Some will pay for premium cable channels to see them uncut. Others are happen to "pay" for them by watching them with embedded commercials.

When a GOTD offering has some appeal, the FIRST thing I do is scan through the comments for type (2) alternatives because I never know when I might get a new computer or, more important, want to pass a free copy along to a family member or friend without violating anyone's copyright. So, it is important to me if others can tell me that a program adds no new functionality beyond type (2) offerings.

As of Feb 27th, the web-based photoeditor Picnik goes free. This mean that all the features, including the one previously accessible only in premium (paying) mode are now free of charge. Picnik offers all the options this software proposes, at no cost. I find it more convenient to watermark my pics online.
http://blog.picnik.com/2008/02/picnik-evolves/

What I'm not hearing from this package that I would find useful as a photographer is a digital watermark. Visual watermarks are either easily cropped, or so aggressively large that they ruin the aesthetics of the image. Text watermarks are easily edited away - some older programs don't even save exif information! Digital watermarks embed a digital signature within the image. Harder to detect without a watermark reader, and not generally something your casual image thief is even going to bother trying to find and remove.

The fabulous, incredible FREE Irfanview ( here ) does all this and more. Crop, batch rotate, one of the largest selection of image fonts supported, and the list goes on.

And it does watermarks. from a single pic, it is a simple as selecting where you want the watermark, pressing Ctrl-T, and putting in what you want, including most if not all EXIT and IPTC tags.

One government department purchased several licenses to Irfanview (which is free for home and non-commercial use, but not to commercial or government) to work on very large map TIF files, such is its power.

Sorry, but I'd have to see a review where another product blows away Irfanview before I'd consider switching. For that reason I'll neither click thumbs up nor thumbs down.

In case you want a a free alternative for watermarking I have found the following.

http://www.picture-shark.com/watermark_freeware_image_protect_gallery_step2.htm
http://www.digitalimagetool.com/

Of course for other photo needs try http://www.irfanview.com/ or my favorite http://www.gimp.org/

It seems like "Someone" can't grasp the nature of photo programs, and "Others" can't understand that the cost hasn't anything to do with it because it's FREE". I must have 15 different photo programs, some of which cost me hundreds of dollars and I still find that not any given one does it all. I find this program to be a great one for its simplicity of use, and its frame properties gives you a decent amount of options, along with no diffusion of the output file. True you can find "Freeware" that will do some of the things this program does, but DUH it's freeware for the day right?
Thanks WinWatermark and GAOTD for one more to my collection.And thanks Ela #5 for pointing out how to register.