Importing Photo Question

Question

I'm just getting around to importing and organizing my photos in iPhoto 7.1.1 on my new Mac Mini.
I've elected to NOT copy my photos to the iPhoto Library under the Advanced Tab in Preferences.
If I edit, from within iPhoto, an imported photo will this change the original photo or create an edited copy in the iPhoto Library?
If I edit a photo with another application will iPhoto pickup that edited version when I open iPhoto.
Thanks in advance,
Doug

Answer 1

Douglas:
I second Larry's and Terence's reservations about using iPhoto in the referenced mode. If the external HD is not mounted you will not be able to use iPhoto, particularly if there are any movies in the library because iPhoto insists on completing the link to those movie files before settling down to normal work.
Since you're not running a laptop which you might take on the road, I agree with Terence in that a managed library on the external HD would be a better setup. Even better would be to have the managed library on the mini unless there are serious space issues and us the external HD for backups. Having only one copy of your files, whether on the boot drive or on an external is risky.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.