digital picture frame, digital photo frame, digital frame
Online Help >> Getting Started
[ << | Home | >> ]

Quick Start -- 1) Share Your Picasa Exports Folder

In this step, you will create a shared folder for your Picasa Exports folder.  The following example uses Windows XP but the concept and steps apply to all versions of Windows.
 
If you are using Windows® Vista, please click on the link and see the article located in our Support Knowledge Base. When you click on the link, a new window will open. Make sure you come back to the Online Help and complete Step 2 and 3.

 
Windows XP Users for Google Picasa
In order to make your Picasa Exports folder and digital photos accessible, you will create a shared folder using the steps below.
Step 1 - Find the PhotoVu Computer Name
 
In the Windows XP Control Panel, double click on the System icon then click on the Computer Name tab.  You will see the Full computer name as shown in Figure 1.  This is the name that you (or somebody else) gave to your computer when Windows was installed.
 
The Full computer name will be used as your PhotoVu Computer Name.
 
The PhotoVu Computer Name uniquely identifies this computer on the network.  This name, along with the PhotoVu Computer Share Name (below), will allow the PhotoVu to find and display your PIcasa Exports folder and digital photos.
 
Please write down the Full computer name on a sheet of paper.  Do not include the dot or any other text to the right of the dot.  You will only need to do this once since the PhotoVu Web Administration program will remember the Full computer name.
Figure 1: Find the PhotoVu Computer Name

Step 2 - Finding Your Picasa Exports Folder
 
Open Picasa and click on an album or folder.  Choose File, Export Picture to Folder.
 
You will see a dialog box similar to the one in Figure 2.  In the field, Location of exported, you should see the default name for the Picasa export folder.  In our example, this is called "Picasa Exports".  Please locate this folder within the Windows Explorer.

If you cannot find the folder then you probably have not exported any photos up until now.  At this point, try exporting several folders and albums.  These photos will be used in the upcoming Quick Start sections.  For Image SIze Options, enter 1280.  This is the typical screen width of a PhotoVu.  Depending upon the size of your folder or album, this might take some time.

In this example, make sure you configure Picasa to watch for new pictures in your "My Pictures" folder.  In your Default View, a new Collection called "Exported Pictures", Figure 2a, will be displayed if you have configured Picasa watch folders correctly.  Within that, you will see your exported folders.  Once again, locate the "Picasa Exports" folder within the Windows Explorer.
 
Write down the path to your "Picasa Exports" folder location.  You will share this folder in the steps below.


Figure 2: Finding Your Picasa Exports Folder


Figure 2a: Picasa Exported Pictures
Step 3 - Finding Your Digital Photos

Right click on the Start button and select Explore.  This will bring up the Windows Explorer.  Find the "Picasa Exports" folder on your hard drive.

Right click on the folder.  You will see a menu similar to the one shown in Figure 3.  Select Sharing and Security.
Figure 3: Finding Your Digital Photos

The Sharing procedure is a bit different for Windows XP Home and Professional.  Both are explained below.

Step 3a - Simple File Sharing under Both Versions of Windows XP
 
If you are using Windows XP Home or Simple File Sharing on Windows XP Professional (the default), use this section.
 
To understand Windows XP Simple File Sharing, please see the following Microsoft support article for additional information.
 
The PhotoVu uses Read-Only access and does not modify any files or software on your PC.
 
Select "Share this folder on the network" and type "Photos" into the Share name field.  See Figure 3a.  Click OK.  Make sure you see a hand underneath the "Picasa Exports" folder after you click OK.
 
Spaces are not allowed in the Share name.  The Share name "Photos" identifies the "Picasa Exports" folder on the network and allows the PhotoVu to access its content.
 
You do not need to check "Allow network users to change my files."  The PhotoVu does not modify your digital photos in any way.  This sharing setup is commonly referred to as "Read-Only."
 
Please write down the Share name on a sheet of paper.  You will only need to do this once since the PhotoVu Web Administration program will remember this Share name.
Figure 3a - Simple File Sharing under Windows XP
Step 3b - Advanced Sharing under Windows XP Pro
 
If you are using Windows XP Professional and have the Simple File Sharing turned off, use this section.
 
To understand Windows XP Professional security, please see the following Microsoft support article for additional information.
 
The PhotoVu uses Read-Only access and does not modify any files or software on your PC.
 
Click New Share, type "Photos" into the Share name field and a Comment.  See Figure 3b.2.  Click OK.  Make sure you see a hand underneath the "Picasa Exports" folder after you click OK.
 
Spaces are not allowed in the Share name.  The Share name "Photos" identifies the "Picasa Exports" folder on the network and allows the PhotoVu to access its content.
 
Please write down the Share name on a sheet of paper.  You will only need to do this once since the PhotoVu Web Administration program will remember this Share name.
 
Figure 3b.1 - Advanced Sharing under Windows XP Pro
 

Figure 3b.2 - Photos Share Dialog
 
<< Previous Page Top
Help Home 		Next Page >>