Best way to set up and use computers in my house

[technics100]

I need some help with my setup with regards to backing up etc. I will give you a list of my setup and take any advise regarding using it and backing up etc..

Desktop - Win XP Pro
Laptop - Win 7
Buffalo NAS drive - 300gb (all photos, music, docs etc saved on this)
USB External HDD - 500gb (backup of NAS drive)
Buffalo USB External linkstaton - 500gb (awaiting delivery)

Until recently I mainly used my Dell desktop (dual core 2.6, 2gb ram, 500gb HDD, 22" LCD) for my photos and drawing in Autocad (architect doing homers in the evening). My wife got a dell laptop (quad core, 4gb ram, 500gb, 15.6 LED screen) since then I started using it for editing in lightroom, I had a single catalogue running on both using dropbox and saving all my files to the NAS server, I was then backing up the NAS server using synctoy on my desktop to the 500 USB HDD manually when I remembered. I just bought the 500gb linkstation from the forum and am awaiting delivery. I believe I can link link into the my NAS drive and use it.

Also, my wife uses her laptop for her business, but all her docs are saved on the NAS drive.. Also the desktop is cabled through the router to the NAS..

So I'm asking, what's the best way to use my system? I find that if I use the laptop for photo's its taking ages to copy them to my server over the wireless. Am I better say using the laptop for editing, saving to it and then backing up on the server? Can I do this automatically with free software?

Thanks

[neil_g]

unfortunately wireless can be a bit sucky for large file transfers.

if youre sat at a desk with the laptop it concider running in a network cable, use powerline adapters if the router/switch is in a different part of the house.

[technics100]

Thanks, I could prob cable it some of the time. I was wondering should I do all editing on the laptop, save all photos there and then backup to NAS drive automatically?

[neil_g]

i work direct off my NAS (catalogue saved on my desktop, RAW saved on the NAS) over a gigabit cabled network. i copy files and catalogue to USB hard drives (manually but can be done automatically) and burn to blu-ray media.

but there shouldnt be any reason why you cant work from the laptop then copy the files back to the NAS like you say.

there isnt really a "right" way, just whatever works best for you and as long as you always have at least 2 copies of your files on 2 separate devices..

[tdodd]

I do all my work and have all my files (raw files, processed JPEGs, docs etc.) stored on my prime device - a laptop. I have a media server PC which I use to hold full copies of all my data and from which to display my images on a 40" TV. I use Lightroom for my editing, which means the original raw files never get a lock/hold on any of them. Thus I can replicate/synchronise files from my laptop as soon as they are downloaded and replication can occur in the background while I work on them locally in Lightroom. That means that the wireless replication can really take as long as it likes, since files are copied over faster than I will typically complete reviewing/editing. The only thing that does get a lock is the Lightroom catalog, so I re-run a replication once I have completed my work in Lightroom. For practical purposes I guess my media PC is the equivalent of a NAS device. Periodically I will make further backups to offline USB storage.

In the past I have tried SyncToy but never really got on with it. I do use Dropbox, but only for docs - no way to fit all my image files into 2.25GB of storage. For data replication between my storage devices I use Karen's Replicator (http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp). It's a system I've used for a few years and so far I haven't felt the need to change it.

The weak point is that I have no off site storage of any of my photos. Docs are safeguarded in Dropbox, but if there was a fire or a very thorough burglary then my photos would be gone for good. While I wouldn't be thrilled, it's a loss I could live with, so I'm prepared to take my chances.

[technics100]

Thanks,

I might try saving all my photo's directly on the laptop and then backup to either the NAS drive over wireless or the USB2 500gb drive.. I will have a look at "karens replicator"

PS.. I only store my lightroom catalogue in dropbox, all RAW files are on the NAS drive..