> A colleague of mine has just shown me a useful little
> freeware program which enables you to easily check how
> images / Websites look at different screen resolutions,
> which we think is going to be useful for our quality
> assurance work on NOF projects.  For more details, see
> below.

Another approach is to use two monitors on the same PC.

I use a dual head card (bought specifically for this purpose) but you
can use two graphics cards (1 AGP + 1PCI, 2 PCI) - if possible it's
best to check compatibility with a 'loaner' before actually buying.

I find a number of advantages in doing it this way, a few examples:
 * image manipulation feedback is *immediately* available - just drag
it across the screen.
 * you can usually (drivers permitting) change the 2nd desktop
(resolution and/or colour depth) on the fly without affecting your main
workspace.
 * easy to have a different app. on the second screen providing a
_direct_ comparison of how another viewer/browser/etc. handles the same
image (informative to then move each app to the other screen - the
changes are often substantial).
 * the hardware settings of the 2nd monitor can be adjusted
(brightness, contrast, colour temperature) to see how tolerant the
image is of badly set up systems (rare nowadays naturally ;-).  This is
particularly useful for checking logos etc.
 * I like to move Photoshops tools/palettes onto the 2nd monitor to
create more image viewing space on the primary monitor (particularly
useful when working with big images...)
 * like a lot of people I use a KVM switch so that one keyboard,
monitor and mouse are used for a number of computers.  When running
long batch operations on the dual head system I have the batch process
on the 2nd monitor so that I can, er, monitor its progress.
 * it's *really* useful for metadata and similar entry - image on one
screen, database on the other (both full screen - nice).


It's also doesn't have to cost much - there are often redundant older
monitors around that can now be put to good use (or an excuse, sorry!
"good reason", to upgrade?).  A second or new dual head (but watch out
for cards that have TV only as the 2nd output) doesn't have to be
expensive.  Probably the hardest item to find for most of us would be
the neccessary (strong enough) desk space!

Regards

Alan

_____________________________
Alan Lock
Digital Imaging and Computer Consultant
Tel: +44 (0)117 951 4678
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