I've changed my opinion of this program; I think it will become a standard tool for me.
After I download my photos onto my PC, I create JPEG copies of all of my RAW files for quick viewing, sized so that the long edge is 1200 pixels. ; To do this, I use the batch conversion/rename function of IrfanView, since it has many features that I like. ; Unfortunately, it's also slow, taking about 20 seconds per shot. ; (I've also tried using Nikon's free ViewNX program, but it's no faster.) ; Finally, I use ExifTool and ExifToolGUI to copy the EXIF data from the RAW files to the JPEGs, since IrfanView does not preserve it during the conversion.
With Instant JPEG from RAW taking only half a second per shot, I can extract full-size JPEGs very quickly. ; Then I use IrfanView to resize the JPEGs, which only takes a second or two each. ; I still have to use ExifTool and ExifToolGUI to copy the EXIF data, and I now also use it to set the file date/time to match the EXIF DateTimeOriginal values.
Even with the additional steps, I can now do everything while sitting at the computer rather than going away for an hour or so while the batch conversion runs.
Here is a list of the programs mentioned above, all of which are freeware. ; Click on each one to go to its web page:
IrfanView
ExifTool (available for Windows, Mac and Linux)
ExifToolGUI
Nikon ViewNX