By Graham K. Rogers

When it became probable that I would be dropping my MacBook Pro off at the service agent in Bangkok, I began to prepare for several days - or more - of work on iOS devices: iPhone and iPad.

When the inevitable became a reality, it also became clear that I needed a major realignment in the ways I had been working: while OS X is organised by folders, iOS is app-specific. Although there is some crossover or exporting between apps, users cannot simply drop a file (text, image) onto an app icon and see it open.

I am aware that I have lost much of the ability to handle images: importing RAW; or scanning negatives. I can still use JPG images from the DSLR camera (imported using Eye-Fi).

Thus far, my main problems are with the files I use for the eXtensions website. For example, it is not simply a question of opening files and copying needed text (or code) as these files are mostly online; or they may be opened only by other apps: much juggling needs to be done.

The biggest challenge, however, is with adjustments to images. Those iPhone pics we snap are not small. I found several times that after selecting an image I wanted to upload via iFTP Pro (the app I use to send files to my site from iOS devices), then importing to a DropBox folder, then moving the file to the correct folder in iFTP Pro, that it was too large: 1.8 - 2.6 MB will not do. I need images of around 640 - 1024 pixels that are easy for site users to access.

While I had been working with the larger screen of the iPad for text, I have fewer apps on the device for handling images. I switched to the iPhone where I have the same images (or more) as well as a copy of the FTP app.

In a rush, I looked through some of the imaging apps and found XProcess. This applies some nice filters. I selected a mild effect and in Save was offered 5 options from Small (700 x 520) up to Actual Size.

This morning I had another look at apps installed and found the Chase Jarvis app, Best Camera [Note: the links here may only work for the Thai app store: access to URLs from the iPad is different when using the Mac.]

Best Camera does not have options when exporting like XProcess, but pre-selected sizes in the Settings > Working Size panel.

Using "Resize" as a search parameter in the app store, I found several apps that would allow a user to change the image size and save. I chose three: Simple Resize, Auto Resize and Resize.

Resize

For an image,

• L gave 422 x 640 (50 KB)
• M, 316 x 480 (30 KB)
• S, 210 x 320 (10 KB)

When each option is selected a relatively-sized image is displayed on the main panel.

Auto Resize

When a photo is selected, only the dimensions of the original and the new output size are shown. With the Tools icon at the bottom left, the user can change the output width and the output file size via a numerical input display that pops up.

Simple Resize

A photo selected is displayed and underneath is a slider allowing easy adjustment of the size. Along the slider are markers for specific (common) outputs: 320, 480, 640, 1024, 1200. By default, width and height are related, but this may be unlocked.

At the top of the panel is a display of the original resolution with a new output size alongside. A gearwheel allows the output to be changed from JPG to PNG. A slider setting is retained for the following images (until reset), so processing several images can be done quite quickly.

Comment

Resize nagged a bit initially with the ads and other screens. I also found the interface a little drab. Many users would prefer to view an image while working on it.

Auto Resize worked well enough and should be useful for those sending images to social networking sites. While the interface is easy to work with (S, M, L), I found that even the largest size would be a little small for most of my needs.

Simple Resize did the job: easy access to the Photos on the iPhone (or iPad) and the slider means the user has good control over output dimensions. The ability to select JPG or PNG is an unusual bonus.

See also:

• Kernel Panics Galore: Unwelcome Problems (now apparently cured)

• Kernel Panics Galore: Unwelcome Problems (not apparently cured)

• Kernel Panics Galore: Unwelcome Problems (preparing for the service center)

• Kernel Panics Galore: Unwelcome problems (sailing into dry dock)

  <

• Kernel Panic Restore: Macbook Pro Time Machine Backup onto a Spare iMac

  
  

  Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand where he is also Assistant Dean. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. He is now continuing that in the Bangkok Post supplement, Life.