Photo Questions Answered: Archiving Photos, Data

Questions just keep rolling in at Verbatim’s user information site www.photostorageguide.com. General questions from people on how to gather, save, protect their family moments/memories photos and videos.

Here are answers to some of the latest questions (and answers) on archiving photos:

Q. Why are CDs and DVDs the best way to archive?

A. Since it is estimated that one out of seven computer hard drives "crash" within the first year, it could be dangerous to rely on storing irreplaceable photos on a hard drive alone. Optical discs (CD, DVD) are a very economical and reliable way to archive photos. For added security, write-once CD-Rs and DVD-Rs should be used and extra copies should be made that can be stored at another location. Users can add to the disc but cannot alter the content stored on the discs. The portability of CDs and DVDs also makes them easy to take with you in the event of an environmental disaster.

With the latest Archival Gold CD-R and DVD-R discs your digital content can be safe for 100 years or more when properly stored. While it is true, the archival discs are more expensive than standard discs, it is often better than the alternatives: re-recording your photos periodically or risking their loss.

Q. I’m considering buying an external hard drive to backup my data. What features should I look for?

A. Adding an external hard drive is an easy way to meet your backup storage requirements. It can also be used to restore your photos in case your computer's drive becomes corrupted or unstable. Here’s what to look for when selecting an external hard drive for backup:

• Determine the capacity you need. As a rule of thumb, this can be calculated by multiplying your current data backup storage by at least three. For instance, if your data backups are currently 50 GB, do not buy a model less than 150GB. This is because your data storage needs will continue to increase and you will want a drive that can handle your growing requirements.
  
• Check your computer’s connectivity ports. Do you need USB (for Windows systems) or FireWire (for Macs) connectivity? To identify the types of ports installed on your computer, check the specifications that came with your PC or visit the manufacturer’s web site. Some companies, such as Verbatim, offer external hard drives that support both USB and FireWire.
  
• Compare the software and security features offered with various drives.
  
• Check online product reviews and select a reliable brand
  

Q. Why shouldn’t I use rewritable discs to archive my photos?

A. Unlike rewritable media, which allows data to be rewritten and overwritten repeatedly, write-once media does not allow data to be overwritten, making it ideal for long-term archiving. As long as there is space available on the disc, data can always be added but never altered or deleted.

For more photo tips and solutions, visit PhotoStorageGuide.com.