Saving Your Photographs To A Backup System..

Here is a three-step process to ensure that your photo files are safely stored...

STEP 1
GET YOUR FILES IN ORDER.

First is to figure out where your files are now.
When you insert your memory card into a card reader or plug your camera directly into the computer,a box pops up,asking you whether you want to copy the images to your computer.
If you left it up to whatever program asked you if you wanted to download, they're probably in the My Pictures folder (or Pictures on a Mac) on your computer's hard drive. This is an ok place for them, but there's a better place for them. When the program asks you whether you want to copy your files, tell it No. And check the box saying you never want to see this question again.You will always be able to tell where and whether you've backed up your latest images now.
For every year, month, day, and shoot, create a folder.And at the start of every year, go into My Pictures, and make a folder for the new year, in that, each month. That way, when you upload images, you'll need to create a new folder only for the pictures you're uploading.The folder name should contains both the date and the keyword describing the subject (ex.,Tom's_1st_Birthday).
Another example...You photographed Yankee Stadium on May 12, 2009, your folder structure would look like this: My Pictures > 2009 > May 2009 > 12 May 2009_Yankee Stadium.And if later on that day you went to Pizza Place for dinner, add another folder: My Pictures > 2009 > May 2009 > 12May2009_Pizza Place..

STEP 2

YOUR BACKUP

Secret to good backup is keeping all your photographs in at least 2 places at once.And storing your most important images somewhere other than the primary place your computer is at..
First you'll need an external hard drive. These come in lots of variations, the one to buy depends on how much, and what kinds of files, you shoot.
If your computer has a big built-in hard drive -- and not a very heavy shooter or shoot mainly JPEGs; you need an external hard drive with only enough storage to duplicate the one in your computer.
But if you overloaded your computer's storage and will need more storage, get an external hard drive that can back itself up internally by mirroring. It's an external device that contains multiple drives and copy's your files to each. With this system, you're covered should one of the drives crashes.

STEP 3

GET THE BEST IMAGES OUT OF YOUR PRIMARY HOUSE,ETC..

Most people, it will probably be enough to take only your favorite pictures Out of your primary location..You can
sign up for online storage. This is cheap to buy n setup..
When you get your online storage set up, make online backup part of your workflow. Create a folder in your 2009 folder called 2009Best. Each time you edit images, drag copies of your favorites into 2009Best.Using the software that comes with your online storage, set it to automatically back up the 2009Best folder.
As long as you put your favorite photos online, you have confidence they will be safe, no matter what happens at home. Kam