Have multiple files open in different instances of a program
 

I use the ctrl + A to select all the files (they are photos) a want to open. The "image viewer" program launches with the first file, then I can use the arrows within the program to view the rest.

That not what I need to happen I want the files to open in different instances of the program. More People do this when they are trying to stress test of show off how much the system can do without crashing.

Any help you can provide with appreciated.

The behavior your describe is a function of the program which launches your image viewer. This behavior may or may not be modifiable to do what you want. You haven't said what the program is, so there is little anyone can do to provide a good answer. You haven't even said what Linux distribution you are using, so it is difficult to take even an educated guess. Do you need to use this particular application to launch your image viewer, or would a shell script or other method do just as well?

--- rod.