Make the assumption that your computer will fail - and you will lose everything. Your most precious memories are photo's - they are irreplaceable. In times past we had physical negatives - today we don't even have these. Our 'negatives' are computer image files. We cant physically touch them. As a result our photos are more fragile than ever.
So what to do?
- Downloaded images from your camera become your 'negatives'.
- DO NOT DELETE the images off your camera until they exist in two other places i.e. your computer and another backup destination (e.g. USB drive, External Hard Drive or CD/DVD).
- Create a structure in your computer such that you don't touch your original downloaded image files (and inadvertently lose/delete them!). Always use copies. Or use a program like Picasa which doesn't change the original image when editing.
- Consider printing out your images - paper still is one of the best forms of preserving your memories. At 10 cents a print it is a small price to pay. Plus it doesn't lock up your images on a computer. Remember when we used to show people our printed photos!
- Buy an external Hard Drive (now less than $100) and regularly backup to it. If you have nothing to do - backup! Consider online backup e.g. Carbonite