Kodak Easyshare Software:

It's the bane of Christmas; you receive a gift, only to find that something doesn't work. In my case, it was a Kodak Easyshare M381. Oh, the camera seems to work fine. But the enclosed software disc does not. Really, what's the point of buying a camera with video mode if you can't take advantage of the easy upload to YouTube feature? (Yes, I am being facetious). Still, I believe it to be a valid complaint. When I pay for something, I expect it to work.

The Easyshare software is supposed to be compatible with both Windows and Macintosh. I run Windows Vista. So, I followed the instructions on the "installation wizard" and patiently waited for it to install. I left the room after three or four minutes, only to come back and find that the installation process had stopped cold. My heart sank. I started over.

An hour and four attempts later, I gave up and went to the Kodak site. They suggested downloading a new version; Kodak Easyshare version 8.0. The version which came with the camera was 7.1. So, I downloaded the new version, and sure enough, it hung at the same point upon installation. Frustrated, I searched the Internet for more information and, hopefully, a fix.

There were so many entries, I didn't know where to start. Apparently, the Easyshare software has been a problem since 2007, and in particular, a problem with both Vista and the new Windows 7 operating systems. Several forums gave the usual assortment of ideas for fixing the problem; unfortunately, I seldom find these of any use because they entail all sorts of uninstalling, reinstalling, reconfiguring, and general jiggling of things which I know nothing about. Several people left messages after struggling with supposed fixes, hard drive crashes, system lockups, and other scary results.

To further narrow things down, I noted the exact place where the installation seemed to hang up each time; a file called "bindbins". I used that term for a new search. Sure enough, this file has been causing a huge amount of problems since...2007. How ridiculous is it, that Kodak hasn't managed to correct a problem in over two years? Are they not paying attention? Do they not monitor various "geek" blogs and forums, which are packed with people like me struggling to get their software to work?

Since you've stuck with me thus far, I'll reward those of you who are having a problem with the bindbins file on Easyshare: I solved my problem by going to the place I should have gone to first. The site which has never failed me yet; www.cnet.com. They offer an enormous amount of downloads, including a lot of free and cheap stuff, tested spyware free. Also, there are tons of product reviews and pricing guides, and tips on what to avoid.

They had an available version of the Kodak Easyshare 8.0 version; I held my breath, downloaded it, and installed it. Everything went perfectly. I don't know if the people at cnet fixed the problem themselves or if they just have the magic touch, but I am a very happy person. I also downloaded the new Apple Quick Time without a hitch. I wish you the same luck if you download the new Easyshare software from them.

I will stick with my new camera for now, but in future, I will probably avoid Kodak products, for the simple reason that a company who takes more than two years to fix a problem probably doesn't have a lot on the ball.