Graphic Converter (GC) is a $30 photo-editing shareware for MacOS 8+. GC's competitors (Apeture, Elements, iPhoto) are all excellent. But GC may offer the best bang for the buck. With its native intel code, GC runs on the latest Macs much faster than the $650 Photoshop. Photoshop's additional features (masks, layers) suit it to carefully tweaking an image. (Ernie uses Photoshop when restoring a 1920s snapshot.) GC's ergonomic interface suits it to quickly editing dozens of images. (Alex uses GC to crop and thumbnail 10-30 photos each day.)

Alex demoed GC's ergonomic, iPhoto-like thumbnail browser and editing screen sporting photo-browsing next/previous buttons and 7 quick adjustment sliders. GC's batch "convert and modify" wizard leads you through picking multiple source files, a destination folder, and a program (a sequence of parameterized image-edited commands). Alex showed us how he makes thumbnails by automatically shrinking and sharpening images. Alex also demo'ed GC's selection, filters, and extensive print-layout features. Tip: Use "levels" to lighten, "gamma" to darken images.

Alex also showed PhotoBooth, which distorts your webcam's image, making funny faces. PhotoBooth is bundled on the newest Macs, which finally can't run Classic.