[iUma]

I have never used keywords - only categories to sort. I just make up the categories as I go through my DD treasures and then drag the items into the categories on the panel - Manage - Organize. I tried to use the Keyword function since it will embed the info on the file but I don't think it is functional yet in the Beta. The Categories are created in the DataBase so if you want portability from one format to another (PC to MAC on ACDSee or between say Bridge and ACDSee) you will have to wait until they 'turn on' the Keyword function in the Beta.

Here is the info I was given in the summer about using categories now. Keywords and Search WILL be a major part of the final release.
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I'm glad you're happy with Quick Look integrated into ACDSee.
Search, when built, will work for both categories and keywords and a whole lot of other metadata. There'll be a search window at the top before the mode buttons, and it will feel like Spotlight with thumbnails appearing in the main window as you type your search terms. It will also have a syntax like Spotlight to narrow your search to specific fields and to allow boolean (AND, OR, NOT) searches.
Right now you can use the Organize pane to click on categories to search for them. You can also multi-select categories using Command-click. That will search for categories using an "OR" operation (Category A OR Category B OR Category C etc...).
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I have noticed in testing the LightRoom 3 Beta that they are also doing this slow step by step release of features in the sequential releases. They are Betas and they are trying to get feedback to make a better product, so it makes sense.