Photo Recall Deluxe Version 2.0 ("PRD") is an image management system that allows the user to categorize, store, manipulate, and present graphics files. PRD requires 486/66 PC; Pentium (or better), 16 MB RAM (or better), 20 MB free disk space, CD-ROM Drive, 256 color (or higher) graphics adapter, Win 95/NT. Cost $40. Internet connection is optional for downloading images from the Internet and/or publishing your photo album on the Web. Online support is also available. Its installation was easy and quick. PRD supports all of the major graphic formats in use today: JPG, TIF, GIF, BMP, TGA, FPX, PNG, PCX, PCD, EXF, PSD, EPS, WMF, AWD, MSP, RAS, MAC, IMG, ICA, CAL, ICO, and CUR.

PRD is divided in four integrated component applications. Its heart is the PRD Library that allows you to organize and maintain collections of digital images and clipart. Some examples are: You can build "multi-shelf" libraries for your digital photo albums or other graphic albums; load images from hardware devices such as digital cameras or scanners; search for images on the Internet or in other PRD albums, and much more. The workspace does appear as a bookshelf. It consists of four elements: Shelf row, Album column, Open Album icon, and Properties icon. You can rearrange, remove, or rename shelves from the Library at any time.

The PRD Album is Library's integrated photo album; it can only be started within the Library. With the album, you can: display images in different layout formats, including thumbnail strips, small and medium sized images, or single images on one page; load images from other hardware devices such as digital cameras or scanners; attach sound files to individual images; create customizable data fields so that you can search, sort, and catalog images within your specific needs; print your albums with or without the data fields; select images for use as your own personal wallpaper background for your desktop; and more.

PRD also includes two utility programs: Darkroom and Utility Room. You can open Darkroom either as a "stand alone" product (you don't have to run the PRD components) or as an integrated component of PRD Album through double clicking on the image you chose to edit. Here, you can crop or resize; rotate and flip; adjust brightness, contrast and focus; simple correct colors; apply special artistic effects like a water color paint effect or embossing effect; map to sphere or map to cylinder; and remove red eyes. The darkroom is only a basic editing tool it will probably not satisfy a user who has a need of a full-featured graphics editing program.

The Utility Room allows you to repair, compact, backup, and restore your image library. It does it automatically, just click a button. You do need to close all Photo Recall windows before proceeding with any of the above named operation.

Unfortunately, PRD does not come with a tutorial. You do have to go step by step through the user's manual which is not very detailed. It does not give you any information how to use the program more effectively and efficiently. As a "new user" of PRD and not a literate how to organize, file and track databases I would have to sit down and "play" with the system to realize its potential. Once you know the necessary steps, PRD will do what you want it to do.