Archiving images (or other files)

[Kurt]

At present I have a number of images that I want to archive, not just back-up, on DVD and CD. Usualli more than one copy.

Now I notice that the demise of these disks is arriving with new computers omitting the drives and companies winding up manufacture.

My question is what should I do about my archives? I do not consider the cloud to be an answer to long term archive.

I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas on this issue.

Kurt

[Pops]

Re: Archiving images (or other files)

Have you thought about online storage sites?

A page Here lists the top 20 online storage sites.

[Ian]

Re: Archiving images (or other files)

Kurt mentions he isn't keen on the Cloud - which is online storage

Personally, I do use the Cloud but it's not practical for all my shots as I have at least 2 terabytes of images. Optical storage is here to stay for a long time yet and just because you won't necessarily get a CD/DVD ROM drive in your next laptop, they will be available as USB-connected drives for a long time yet.

But at the moment the only practial solution for very large numbers of images is multiple hard drive backups stored at different physical locations (so if one site burns down, for example, you have spare backup somewhere else safe).

Ian

[John Perriment]

Re: Archiving images (or other files)

Very true, Ian, especially about storing at several locations. It depend on how far you wish to take it, of course. At the moment, if my house burnt down I'd lose all my pictures - but if my house burnt down the pictures would be the least of my worries!

All the same, it's an issue that I may well address in due course, i.e. when I am able and prepared to prioritize the purchase of another external hard drive.

[Kurt]

Re: Archiving images (or other files)

I guess that external HDs are the way to go. The connectors ought to be around for the next te n years or so. Should they have both USB and thunderbolt?

Now, how much per Gb should I be paying?