Picture Managment

[becca-becca]

I need some advice.

I currently manage my pictures using Windows Explorer.

I backup to a external hard drive that stays connected to my computer.

I am getting ready to back up all of my picutres to a jump drive(s)to put in the safe deposit box.

However, I was wanting something a little bit more than the Windows Explorer. I was looking at Creative Memories memory manager. It seems neat. What are your opinions? Are there other products out there that are as good or are better? If I get the download, can it be moved to another computer (we are getting ready to switch, but most of my pictures are on that computer, so can I organize then switch everything)?

Also, do you all use any online backup services? Which ones? (not talking about just uploading to Snapfish, Shutterfly, etc.). I mean a true online backup where if your enitre home backup method crashes, you have another source you can go to get the "actual" files back. I know with Snapfish, you can reprint all you want but you don't really get the actual file back.

I would love to hear how others manage their photos.

Thank you!

 

[kkbeaton2]

I just recently (a couple of months ago) got the memory manager by CM. I just love it. I don't know how I ever did it before that! I love how easy it is to fix my photos, and how I can put them in several folders without there being multiple copies of the photo. I have my photos on cds as well as an external hard drive (a 1-terrabyte drive). My camera takes such large photos, that I had to take them off of my laptops hard drive. I also have several smaller external hard drives that have pics on them divided by years.

 

[becca-becca]

Thank you for those ideas, any others?

 

[lewdyan1]

We do use an off-site backup. We subscribe to Carbonite. We've been using them for a couple of years, DH thinks it's definitely worth it.

 

[New England Eeyore]

I have been thinking about using an online backup service for awhile now, but I can't find one that will back up an external hard drive. I keep my music and photos on the external HD to make my computer run faster and would hate to have to move them back. I know Carbonite doesn't do it, Mozy didn't the last time I checked. Does anyone know of one that does?

 

[becca-becca]

Oh, I didn't realize that. I want to back up from my external hard drive too.

Also, I had sort of asked this several months before on the photography board, and I got sort of confused. It seemed like some of the online sites were a back up, but your computer had to continue to have the files on them or it wouldn't work (sort of like sharing or something). Seemed to defeat the purpose to me. Am I missing something?

 

[lewdyan1]

My DH suggested checking out SOS, they might do the external drive.

 

[SharonLovesMickey]

I am a little...um...picky, yeah, that's a good word for it! So, I manage all my photos myself and sort them into separate folders on my computer in the My Pictures folder. I have folders by year, then by month, then by event.

I back up to SmugMug online....the cost is minimal per year. If you lose your files you can download the same high quality image you uploaded directly from your account. You can also email links to friends and family so that they can download the photos themselves. Unlike snapfish or shutterfly (which I love for printing!) they do not have to order the photos from the SmugMug site and instead can print them anywhere they'd like.

I hope that helps! Good luck solving one of the toughest problems of the digital age!!!

 

[tubachick]

I am a little...um...picky, yeah, that's a good word for it! So, I manage all my photos myself and sort them into separate folders on my computer in the My Pictures folder. I have folders by year, then by month, then by event.

I back up to SmugMug online....the cost is minimal per year. If you lose your files you can download the same high quality image you uploaded directly from your account. You can also email links to friends and family so that they can download the photos themselves. Unlike snapfish or shutterfly (which I love for printing!) they do not have to order the photos from the SmugMug site and instead can print them anywhere they'd like.

I hope that helps! Good luck solving one of the toughest problems of the digital age!!!

goodd information! thanks!

 

[JLoane]

I can second the recommendation for CM's Memory Manager. I bought it about a month ago and LOVE it. It's very easy to learn, and has great functionality. I actually bought it mostly as a photo editing program, but now really like the the ability to manage my photos through their folder system. After taking the online tutorial (about 45-min to an hour), I was ready to go.

I can't offer an recommendations for online backup as I've been thinking I should look into that as well.

Regards,

Jen

 

[becca-becca]

Thanks for all your help. I am going to try Smug Mug.
Getting organized is an overwhelming task.