Get Lightroom competitor PhotoDirector 2011 (Win) for free
CyberLink's new photo work-flow and editing suite has features that put it on par with Apple's Aperture and Adobe's Lightroom. It normally sells for $100.
CyberLink PhotoDirector 2011 is the first photo-editing program from the company behind PowerDirector, a top-rated video-editing tool. It's due to go on sale later this month for $99.95.
However, if you're game to be a beta tester and provide a little feedback, you can get PhotoDirector 2011 absolutely free.
To get started, just click the above link, then provide your name and e-mail address. You'll receive instructions for downloading the PhotoDirector 2011 beta. Test-drive the software, then e-mail the feedback form to CyberLink no later than June 20.
By June 30, you'll receive an e-mail with everything you need to download the full version of the final release. Pretty easy, huh?
PhotoDirector 2011 is designed to help you "perfect, manage, and share your photos." Its features include white-balance correction, noise reduction, adjustment brushes, and other high-falutin' editing tools. Serious photographers will appreciate its support for RAW files from the likes of Canon and Nikon SLRs.
Indeed, PhotoDirector appears to be on the same playing field as Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture, programs that cost quite a bit more. (Actually, all programs cost more when you're starting at $0.)
I haven't tried the software myself just yet, but you can bet I'll be downloading the beta and submitting my feedback form. Heck, it's a $100 software package for free! Who's gonna pass that up?
Bonus deal: Speaking of freebies, Southwest Airlines is celebrating its 40th anniversary by giving away 40 free songs on iTunes for some reason. Most of the artists I've never heard of, but if you like new music and free stuff, check it out.