 LaChelle A. |
Archiving Your Digital Images I know that some people will buy the CD cases that hold about 100 at a time, but is this the safest way to store your important images?
|
|
|
|
||
|
robert G. Fately |
Well, this is an important issue, and there's not one simple answer. First: when you back up files (of any type) to optical media, you should plan on making at least two sets. One set is then transported to a different location altogether. Having your CDs (even 2 sets of them) sitting on your desk next to the computer itself is fine if the hard drive fails, but if your house burns down, you'll have lost everything. So, while I have one of those 128-capacity CD/DVD holders at home, I have another book at my office with a duplicate set of discs. Of course, if the big one hits (I live in Southern California), then perhaps even that won't be enough, but I'm not ready to ship a third set to family back east. Though who knows... Meanwhile, another important aspect of backups to CDs or DVDs is the quality of the discs themselves. There are, as usual, different levels of quality in these things - and the cheap ones can literally go bad just sitting on your shelf for a few years. The solution is to use high-quality archival discs - Mitsui Gold have a great reputation - even though these cost more than the stuff you find at Circuit City or Staples. So, while I use Memorex or Fuji or Imation blanks for general file moving (if I want to take a few images to my office and not spend a long time downloading them, for example), I only use Mitsui's for long-term storage.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Pete H |
Hello LaChelle; You ask a question that is full of unknowns, and that is unfortunate, as I too struggle with this issue. I agree 100% with Bob - backup is imperative if we value our work. I am still unsure about these "archival" discs. While some boast 100 years of service, I am not convinced enough to wait 100 years before I do another backup. (LOL) So I back up with an extra copy. Another thing you might do is "refresh" your data, perhaps every two years might be sufficient (i.e., burn a new one). With CDs, it's a pain due to their smaller capacity compared to DVD. Next to archiving is categorizing. This one still eludes me to some extent. "Where is that photo of Aunt Sally blowing out her candles from 4 years ago?" LOL
|
|
|
|
||
|
Robyn Mackenzie |
Hi, I'd be interested to know whether there's any difference between CDs and DVDs for archiving, apart from the obvious one that you can store more on a DVD?
|
|
|
|
||
|
robert G. Fately |
There have been rumors that DVDs could be longer lasting, Robyn, but frankly if you get the gold or silver-based long-lived ones, then it's kind of moot - as in another 10 years we'll look back at these methods as quaint relics of the "old days" and will have moved on to holographic discs (these have been in development for about 5 years and are starting to hit the industrial-level market). As Pete points out, a second set of copies (at least), again, stored off-site someplace, is also quite important. And Pete, the answer to your question involves some software (iViewMedia PRo, Canto Cumulus, etc.) and basically a lot of effort on your part. That is, with these so-called cataloging packages, you can create any number of categories of photos and include a given image in numerous categories, which you must set up. So that photo of Aunt Sally could be in the categories "family", "birthdays", "candles", etc. ad infinitum, but only you can decide which categories to assign it to.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Sue Conant |
I keep several backups (probably overkill). One set of originals and adjusted or the ones that are better are kept on the main computer, then backed up on CD's and a copy on the external hard drive. So if the computer crashes I have some type of backup. I also just bought a small portable hard drive to keep documents and pix backed up on also. I keep that in my carry all back pack (about a small purse size). That goes everywhere with me. Of course it could get stollen, but I'm hoping that doesn't happen. A while back I signed up for an on line photo album service. With the subscription, I can get a back up if needed. That solves the off site storage requirement and family can access the pix too. We live in our motorhome and I keep the back pack and camera bag right up next to the drivers seat so if we ever had to leave in a hurry due to an accident or fire, I could grab them and fly out the door. (providing I'm still moving). LIving in an RV full time is fun, rewarding, but produces a whole different set of circumstances. Sue
|
|
|
|
||
|
x |
I am one that believes in the power of HD's. I keep everything I have on 2 HD's. Of course, I back-up to DVD too. But, I like having live accessible files. It all sucks. There's no easy solution to it.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Courtney Lawyer |
If anyone finds out the archival saftey of CD's let me know! I have no clue what's better and is it worth paying all the extra money for family recording or just for special portrait work? As far as catogorizing- I gave up with the family, birhtday, joshua, skiing, etc. type of catorgorizing! There were always three files each picture should have gone in! I know this may seem to simple but for family I simply do : 2006. Inside 2006 is 1.January, 2. February etc. It works really well. I DO have seperate folders for church and a girl-scout-like group I'm involved in. For portraits I make a folder with the customer's last name and make a to show, to delete, editing and Order folders inside of it. This is the system that works best for me. If you have questions, e-mail me! -Courtney
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||