JPEG Comment Browser

Image files created by digital cameras are normally in JPEG format. Within a JPEG image there can be a significant amount of textual data. Details about the image and camera settings are usually saved in the file as Exif data. It is not easily editable and is probably of limitted use to the average user, though it can be read by Explorer to provide details if those particular fields are set.

It is also possible to add a Comments Section to the file, which is editable though unfortunately not so easily seen. Many graphics applications are able to read/write JPEG comments. In fact, some automaticaly add comments identifying the application. However it is not something that is easily read without such an application.

Commenting a JPEG can be useful. I've seen it described as the equivelant of writing on the back of a photograph. It doesn't effect showing the image and is not normally seen unless looked for.

The JPEG Comment Browser application was designed to be a small tool that can be used a JPEG comments editor. It can run from the context menu and it can also accept a dropped JPEG file. It can show the image and add or edit existing comments.

To show the application in the Explorer context menu, it must be registered. Press the CTRL key down while you run the exe file and it will be registered. The context menu will contain a new entry 'Edit JPEG Comments'. Repeating this will Unregister the application.

The application window is in two parts, comments and image. There is a splitter between the two which will change the proportions when dragged. The splitter position is saved on closing.

To add or edit comments, enter the required text and press Save. To delete comments, delete all text and press Save.

There are three options: Show image - Whether or not to show the JPEG image. Backup - A copy of the file, before comments are added, is saved with the same file name but with the adition of ".bak". Keep date - The edited file is saved without changing the Date Modified date.

NOTE: It should be remembered that textual data can be easily destroyed by applications that don't carry it over when editing. I have tested this application and it preserves other text such as Exif data. HOWEVER there is a lack of uniformity with the addition of data and it is possible that it can be lost. If you have any doubts, select 'Backup' before editing a file.