Guys,

Photo is like one of the most important data. You can't get those moment again especially photo of your baby. How do you keep those photo in safe place?

Server.

1)as backup
2)can share with everybody and everywhere
3)able to upload anytime anywhere
4)can view using anything.

Use google photo. Free and easiest way.

google photo

my suggest - Google Photo, unlimited storage (with reduced quality)...
it will help organize (based on date, face,etc)
it alsi will create an animated image, video, etc...

after all, its free and unlimited...

1st copy on my computer primary HDD for post processing.

2nd copy on my computer secondary HDD.

3rd and 4th copy on separate portable HDD.... as I do not own NAS/RAID storage

Once post processed, 5th copy (jpeg only) on flickr/google drive.

I am considering Amazon Glacier storage instead of having too many backups.

Dropbox

- Full res photos on Time Machine (backup my whole Lightroom catalogue)
- max 16mp Edited photos on Google Photos

M-Disc.
Claims to last for 1,000 years.
Con : DVD restricted to 4.7GB.

Me : 2 primary HDD, 2 external HDD, normal DVDs, very special images in M-Disc.
Cloud : low res images.

Why? the painful experience of losing digital assets. Gone now, gone forever.

You will get out of handling when size getting bigger.

It is not reliable. And troublesome.

The disc is very much depend on how you store. I have some disc that cannot be read anymore after 10yrs or less. Some can see the reflective coat get corroded.

Close shop how ?

Online: Flickr, full JPEG quality with 1 TB free storage. But I normally resize to 2048 px
Offline: Two HDD, mirror each other, one put in office one put in home.

Some friends use NAS Box.

wont close over night.. they'll give notice so you move to other storage location lor

Somehow you might miss the notice.

Actually it is not main concern.

I would like pretty much use the cloud. But some con that make me against it.

1) I can't share the pic with family and friend. I want them just simply open the apps in the phone and view my pic/video. Don't need everytime ask me post/FB my pic/video.
2) Troublesome to upload/download video with big size. Specially video.
3) Once you go terabyte, it is not cheap to maintain the cloud. Paying such fee every yrs, can makan roti. I have 1+TB of file.

Two backup in my different hard disk. For me it takes a lot of time to sync to cloud consider the internet speed ....

I use google drive. Create folder and upload photos on it

Multiple NAS. I use synology boxes.

More than 100,000 photos and videos.

Here's my own experience, rather than factor #3. I think cloud storage is very reliable.

1. You can make a shareable link on Google drive and share it with almost anyone. I'm sure you have group chats for your family member. Just post them there?
2. With the current internet speed with have, I have no problem to upload a video of a size of 6-8gb. And my customer has no trouble on downloading them.
3. Yes it is not cheap. But worth it. You won't risk losing your data and you can access them with your smartphone and laptop or anything connected to the internet.

google photo is the best way

Google photos once maxed out on me with original sizing.
Be prepared to have painful way of downloading all the pics from google once that happen.

cloud

Cloud storage is reliable.

What is not reliable is the networking down and speed.

1) the fee is high for big storage like me. I need at least 2TB which can cost RM86/mth. RM1032/yrs.
2) NAS server photo sharing is much more easy to share and permanent compare google drive or others. Different kind of sharing and experience.
3) Upload is still pain in the ass. upload speed is much more slower than download. Last week want to backup a 7gb of data into my iCloud cause 3.5hr. Upload to the NAS is less than 10min. A 3days holiday can have a size of album of 20gb.
4) Another good about NAS server is the enjoyment of watching it from TV in your home. You can instantly access it rather from the net.

Thanks for the input. Price is my only concern now.

Which NAS drive are you using right now? Perhaps I shall give it a try in the near future when my cloud storage about to be full.

Currently the famous is this 2, Qnap and Synology.

I m using Synology.

If you using the cost to calculate, A simple 2hdd 4tb NAS can cost RM3k. Probably last you for 6-7yrs lifetime.

Google drive for 2tb a yrs cost RM1032/yrs x 6yrs = RM6192.


But you still need an external backup even have NAS. Against physical damage and lost.

I heard a lot about Synology. Perhaps i can give this brand a shot

Yeah, despite paying for drive, I still have a few HDDs lying around. One copy at my friend place, another copy at my gf place and also one copy at my own place. Can't afford to mess around with the photos and videos

You can go to PC hardware to learn more about pro and con. There is a NAS thread in there.

save it online in your mail id or Draft. Thre are a lot of online tools are available to save photo but everybody would not like this you can choose after checking their security features etc.

Easiest is Dropbox.
As it's not sensitive data, it should be ok.
I'm subscribed to the 1TB plan where I use it to only keep final jpeg or MP4 files.

For unedited raw files or edited projects, I keep it in a WD mycloudex2 NAS and a large external HDD

I use a HP microserver as my NAS with 3 disk RAIDz as primary storage for all active editing and all are backed up weekly to a separate HDD. I still do not have an off site storage which I will want to look into if my internet didn't sux so much. Running that system close to 10 years already and so far so good touch wood.

For us regular photographer a home NAS with backups is good enough. At the end of the day the sky is the limit in terms of how much you want to spend for it. Online cloud... Well you need to have solid internet unfortunately and have to pay.

I will have 2 HDD.

1 is for general like. 2017 > 01 Jan > 050117Editorial > RAW.
Basically all images will be there. Once selected photo done and edit to new folder called SELECTED. 2 Folder will be in. one is JPEG and another one is TIFF for 16-bit print.

I will copy all the Selected Photo to a new HDD. Only Selected Photo, like out of 300 Photos, only between 20-50 photos.

For Jpeg size 3000px on 120dpi.
I'll upload it to my Google Photo and Dropbox. Easier for me to search just incase client or editor ask me to show my photos online. I'll just share my unlisted link to them and they can have a look.

This post has been edited by Flanegan: Mar 28 2018, 01:21 AM

Google Photos.

Just connect to wifi and then poooof, all pic backed up

Usually I :
(1) Copy paste my SD card into my HDD,
(2) Upload to Google Drive

for the initial setup, how long did it take ?

I tried to use my synology but uploading just 200GB of photos took more than 5 days ... after that just cancelled

That really shouldn't happen over Gigabit connection. Mind sharing your syno box model?

I have nearly 1tb++ worth personal photos & videos in my Synology. Have been using since 2006. So, no initial setup, just keep adding it ever since.

What model synology you're using ? If too old model, have to be carefull.

Facebook is a very good backup solution for you

That will leak your infor ?

Started with DS106+ in 2006, then upgraded to DS112+ in 2012. Have been working well ever since. Changed the HDD a couple of time (full). Now running with WD 3tb Red HDD. Daily backup to a set of external HDD (3tb HDD too) every 1am.

The whole setup back by APC UPS with proper power down if the battery runs out of juices (max 1hr++).

Thinking of upgrading to DS218+ later this year.

This post has been edited by haturaya: Apr 22 2018, 10:29 PM

Better get a 4bay or 8bay. That is enough to last you very very long.

I start from DS107+ than DS409+ and now DS1815+. Both the old DS spoiled already.

1517+ , but over WiFi AC connection

is it via photostation or another synology app ?

Nah... 2 bay is good enough. Back by proper UPS system, the system would last a long time. Rarely need a reboot.



This post has been edited by haturaya: Apr 22 2018, 10:33 PM

Don't use UPS will cause lifespan to shorten?

Google Drive Unlimited

Not really, as long as your power source (240v AC) is stable. UPS provides backup power in case of power outage.

I have almost 12TB od family pic.

Google photo or flickr (1Tb), unless some reason you have more than 1tb of baby photos.

Edit the video into smaller size.

Get a NAS to store and share.

In a year got few times power outage.. Nas can handle it?

Use UPS to backup.

It is normal here.

NAS Hardware - okay

NAS Data - not okay. The file system might get corrupted, potential data loss, unless you have multiple disc backup. Better safe than sorry.

As for me, I have multiple disc backup. Personal photos & videos since 2004. Nearly 2tb worth of memories.

That's why I have UPS that can sustain the NAS for about 1.5 hours if there's power outage. Properly configured to gracefully shutting it down if the battery backup goes lower than 15%.

Oh.. then need to allocate some budget for UPS already..

Which UPS you using and how much you bought it?

UPS Mahal..

Why you want to buy a NAS if a RM180 UPS also cannot afford ?

UPS I thought like 400-600 RM ..

I use APC brand, model Back-UPS 1100. A bit pricey because the backup capacity is quite big. Backing up my UniFi equipments as well.

Anyway, any APC model with USB connectivity will do (auto shut down if battery backup is low). Price range RM200 - RM2k

Where you buy them?

I bought if from Lelong long time ago.. I've changed the internal SLA battery once. The SLA battery should last 2-3 years. Simple DIY.

Any online marketplace like Lazada, 11street should have APC brand.

Another point you guys do not overlook is the home security. House burglary will take away your NAS and everything.

Left you nothing at all. Hardware and file all gone.

So how good is your NAS, how secure is your file in the hardware is no use once the theft cart away the whole thing.

I m not telling story, assumption or talk kok.

This is real situation happen to forumer here before.

Don't need to buy an expensive UPS. Enough to backup the NAS and modem router is enough.

As long as it give sometime for the NAS to shutdown safely is enough.

There is no logic to get an expensive UPS to prolong the run time. If you working and the NAS shutdown at home, you not going to rush back anyway.

My NAS always shutdown when lightning. I only go back home and reset the RCD . Not rush back.

Any NAS system recommended? First time getting NAS for my photo backup

ok.. will need to check it out at lazada, shopee, 11street, etc...

You also got the SLA battery from online market?

got a point there..

Maybe I will consider put the NAS in my office?! Safer than home I guess...

Yup... nowadays... nearly everything online. I even bought my car tyres online, significantly cheaper than drive in to car tyre workshop.

Point & click then wait for it to be delivered. Just buy from reputable seller. Look at their ratings.

wow tyres...!!!

Wonder how they delivery to you, so heavy.. the shipment cost a bomb?

No, they don't deliver, after I paid via Lazada system, they call me and ask which tyre workshop that I want to use as the place to get it installed. They list 3-4 panel workshop that near my house / office. Just choose one and set an appointment. Hassle free IMHO. Just drive into the workshop, 1h++ after that, drive out with 4 new tyres + free car wash

I use Synology. Had been using this brand since 2006. A couple of models already. Later this year I'm planning to get a new one.

This is the best what I can do.

If they can disable the lock, take it. I still have backup elsewhere.

Installation, balancing, alignment all free?

I think still easy to cut it..

You put in office?

home

Are you using 2 bay or 4 bay synology?

All inclusive. not even a cent extra required.


I use 1 bay & 2 bays only.

in 2006 - I use DS106e, upgrade the HDD a couple of times... not enough space
in 2010 - I migrated to DS110+, replacing DS106e (died of old age)
in 2014 - I bough another one DS214J, my first dual bay. Purely for backup storage & redudancy. J model.

Till date, my DS110+ is my daily driver with heaps of own developed web apps & personalised web app running. Vehicle tracker (to track my cars), IoT logging systems (my house & office envirommental monitoring), sync my phone internal storage, etc.

Now thinking to get DS218+ to replace my DS110+ as daily driver. Later this year. Or maybe in a week or two to take advantage of zero GST

This post has been edited by haturaya: May 30 2018, 08:22 PM

Ah.. will keep in mind on buying tyres online.. my tyres will be 4 years next year

Wah.. your NAS not yet rosak already thinking to get a new one ah.. power la u

one drive and google photo

4 years old tyres - still okay as long as the thread depth up to standards.

My DS110+ still running okay. But max out already. 512Mb RAM only. 3tb HDD, max as well. I believe it last long because it's protected by UPS since day 1. Need to upgrade to DS218+ (can upgrade RAM up to 8Gb)

All my electronics at home back by UPS. LCD TV (bought 2008), UniFI equipments, PC, notebook... I have 3 APC UPS running 24 x 7.

Actually what is the benefits of more ram on NAS?

My case only 2 person will access it.. not access same time as well. Purely files and photos .. not streaming videos. 512mb enough?

Synology NAS is Linux based. As for Linux, more RAM the 'merrier'.

As for me, I have heaps of apps / feature running, not just mererly for storage. so, need more RAM. In my DS110+ other than storage purposes, I activate the Photo album, VPN, cloud sync, web server (serving at least 10 php based projects), MariaDb, Java based GPS tracker backend for my cars, own design and built IoT for environmental monitoring and much more. Too many for that puny little DS110+. Plus it's ageing. 8 years old already. The needs to upgrade is real.

I didn't provision my DS214J as daily driver because lacking the horsepower that I need. It serves as pure storage / backup for DS110+ only. 2 seperate physical hardware / HDD. I have 100,000++ photos and videos since 2004, 60gb of mp3s (mostly classics), nearly 300 movies, my work portfolios, etc. Seriously can't afford to loose any of this.

In your case, if 2 person going to use it, any entry level NAS will do. Synology or Qnap. Both are equally good.

This post has been edited by haturaya: May 31 2018, 05:53 AM

Dropbox

i have my personal 4tb cloud storage running on raid 0... can upload them anywhere in the world.. and get those images out whenever i need it too..

Well M-DISC dosen`t have reflective layer,and it store the data on rock like layer instead of dye on normal dvd

If I get one bay Nas.. for future how do I change the hard disk to larger ones or when hard disk fails.. what are the options I have?

Back up using USB to external drive.. for this, can I still bring this external drive to another computer to open the files and read them?

Even it is able to last longer, such disc storage is outdated. Some cons about it

1) you can't share your creation with people. It main just store/ backup.
2) you need a read/writer player to read the disc. Many new generation pc/laptop does not include disc player anymore. Got to buy it. And you don't no 10yrs later, you still can buy the player or not.
3) The failure to read is still great with other damage point. Example scratch and dented disc.
4) Adding and deleting some file is not as easy and fast compare HDD. Disc size is limiting to GB. Try to create directory in such size few disc.
5) Searching a file is pain in the ass with many disc. Good luck with few TB file.

I have gone to this experience. Even I have don't no how many hundred of this disc in 1x. Once I transfer to NAS, all throw away.

Google photos

The most appreciate one print them on photobook using voucher

Get the 2bay minimum. Don't save on this.

If you using 2bay, swap the old HDD out with larger size. Than it will copy over. Once finish, swap another HDD out.

For 2bay, you can take out anyone of the HDD out and read from another PC.

Buy two bays.. but I start with one hard disk first.. then another few months just get the second hd.. workable?

Initial one hdd.. need to use SHR?

Bro.. no more gst.. already got your ds218+ ah

Not yet. A bit bz lately. Maybe after long Raya holiday.

Your current one, you bought it online like in Lazada?

My DS110+ - Ebay and my DS214J - Lazada

wah... buy from ebay no warranty lei..

you dare take risk ya...

That was in 2010. Before lazada, aliexpress, what not famous. No other choice. Straight courier from Hong Kong. Warranty - return back to HK... Lucky me the unit still up & running till now.

I spent more than RM20k on Ebay already, that's since the beginning of Ebay . Choose reputable seller. Should be ok.

Normally Synology brand will got sales or discount at certain period of time? Should I pull the trigger or wait till some festive time, Merdeka, etc.. just buy?

by having a freenas server