Reactions To Googles Picasa Update

Yesterday, Google launched Picasa 2.0, an updated version of their acquired digital image management software. Reaction to software seemed quite positive, especially those concerning the price tag. A good amount of the praises were rooted in the fact that Picasa 2.0 is a free utility. Many of the write-ups seemed genuinely excited about Picasa's update. Some examples: You've got to love the word "free," and for a free piece of software Google have announced the availability of a piece of software designed to help users manage their digital photo collection, and for some reason they are giving it away for free. Google bought out around six months ago. The original Picasa software wasn't free, but the new and improved software version is. Another Pre-Google, Picasa charged $29.99 for its software. At Google, the marching order was to "give the program away and go for user adoption," Perkins says. "The entrepreneur in me had some second thoughts - that's millions of dollars in potential sales being left on the table - but now I see it's right." Danny Sullivan, editor of online newsletter SearchEngineWatch, says Google's free policy is in line with its evolution as a kind of "Internet operating system" that strives to keep users spending most of their time at Google. "If you get locked into doing all your photo editing and organization with Picasa, odds are good Google can start running ads to you down the line," Sullivan says Google's tool seems to have had a positive impression on those who've reported on it. But the question about monetizing Picasa remains. Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for latest search news