Lightroom/bluemare style software.

[AJB2K3]

I've never used lightroom but just installed bluemarine.

Excuse a dumb question but - whats the purpose of these software programs.

[Enriquecaribe]

Its purpose is RAW image management and editing. Honestly the open source equivenlent to Lightroom isn't blue marine. You would get a hell of a lot further with Raw Therepee. If you are using raw for photography, Raw studion and DigiKam are developing nicely.

[ElSlunko]

I've been very impressed by Raw Therapee myself the past few days. I'm starting to consider it over waiting for the never ending - impending - release of Bibble v5.

Lightroom-esque programs are designed to manage workflow from import to export and all the editing in between. Though not designed to take the place of Photoshop or GIMP for heavy editing, these programs have become staples to photographers who do large work-loads.

[AJB2K3]

I've installed it and had a quick play and you were right about using it over bluemarine but as my raws are locked on a backup drive I'm stuck to raw.