IPhoto file and backup strategy

I am new to iPhoto in last 9 months, but before I get in too deep, would love some advice about how I am structuring the library and about my backup strategy.
Spent many years on Windows where I would use a typical file Windows file structure. Broke my pics down into years, then events, then pics. Some pictures I would rename "Ella Bday 2006" and others are simply "jpeg-10006". When I moved to the Mac, I've started to use events "Ella Bday 2008" or else "Jan-Mar 2009". I've read that many prefer to create albums and not rely so much on the events. I am not there yet, but that's my next goal.
My questions are multiple. First, what is the best way to backup all this data so that if I crash, I can easily recreate? I backup the windows files in the same file structure as they existed on my HD, but with photos, events, albums, etc I am not sure the best way on the Mac.
I did import all the windows pics into iPhoto -- so now I have a single app for all photos dating back to 2004. I am not using Time Machine (remember I am a newbie) at the moment, and my initial plan is to back up each year to a separate DVD for off-site storage. Once this is done, I will look for a more permanent and recurring backup strategy - Time Machine I suppose - that will use an external HD.
Sorry if my post is convoluted, or if my questions are ignorant, but I was a lifetime Windows guy who is just exploring all the features/functions of Mac -- so any advice or redirection would be fantastic!
Thanks in advance

First, what is the best way to backup all this data so that if I crash, I can easily recreate?
Make a copy of the iPhoto Library in your Pictures Folder. That gets all the photos and database files which contain your organisation.
If you want to burn a copy of the Library to DVD use the Share => Burn command.
FWIW here's my back up system. I used to use DVDs but it was too tedious and a bit expensive too. Remember, if you burn, say 2005 to DVD ths year, you will be burning it again in a couple of years as DVDs to degrade over time.
My Library lives on my iMac.It’s Backed up to two external hard disks every day. These disks are permanently attached to the iMac. These back ups run automatically. One is done by Time Machine, one is a bootable back up done by SuperDuper
It’s also backed up to a portable hard disk when ever new photos are added. This hard disk lives in my car. For security, this disk is password protected. For this job I use DejaVu because it makes a simple back up that is clear and can be tested easily without doing an full restore.
I have a second off-site back up at a relative’s house across town. That’s updated every 3 or 4 months.
My Photos are backed up online. Personally I use SmugMug but there are many options including flickr. However, check the terms of your account carefully. While most sites have free uploading, you will often find that these uploads are limited in terms of the file size, or the bandwidth you can use per month. For access that allows you to upload full size pics with no restrictions you will need to pay.
Every couple of months I test the back ups to make sure they are working correctly. It’s very easy to mis-configure a back up application, and the only way to protect against that is to do a restore.
Regards
TD

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I have the following Imac and Iphoto 11 in Finder folder I upgrade the iphoto file and I lost all the latest event files, can you help how to solve the problem? Thank you
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2638?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

IPhoto 6 and Backup

I recently added an Intel iMac to my office, in addition to my Powerbook G4. I backed up my iPhoto Library using Backup 3 to an external drive and then restored the library to the iMac.
All my data appears in the correct folder, but iPhoto 6 will not open any of it. I have tried using the import command without success, with an error message of "Unreadable Files: (X). The following files could not be imported. (The file is in the iPhoto Library Folder"
If I move the photos to the desktop however, and then use the same import command it works perfectly, but stores the data in new folders named "Originals". I do not wish to do this with 1700 photographs though.
Is this a dilemma with me, or incompatabilities with the systems and versions themselves, or some anomaly with Backup 3?
Any help would be apppreciated.

hi Kalessin,
Once Backup restored the iPhoto Library folder back into the Pictures folder, did you launch iPhoto?
When you launched iPhoto is that when you say "it wouldn't open any of it?
Were the iPhoto versions the same on both Macs?
Was the backup of the Library folder from the PB and you restored it to the iMac?
Are the usernames the same on both computers?
Have you checked the permissions on the iPhoto Library folder on the iMac to see if they were correct for your username on the iMac (read/write)?
As to the unreadable files...that is the message you will get if you try to import files that are residing in the iPhoto Library folder in the Pictures folder already. That is why when you moved the folder to the desktop,iPhoto created a new library when opened and you could then use the import command on the library on the desktop.
iPhoto 6 has a new file structure in the Finder:
iPhoto 6 Library folder in the Finder
As you can see the structure is now related to rolls. Rolls are created for each folder you import and each import session from a camera.
It is very easy to change the names of film rolls within iPhoto to make them easier to find images within. Open the info panel in iPhoto by clicking on the "i" icon. Once it is opened, click on the roll title in the viewing window.
Click on the word "title" in the info pane and type in your new title. I like to use a date and text format such as 12/25/05 Christmas at Mom's, 1/05/06 my birthday, etc. Once the roll names are changed within iPhoto, they are also changed within the Finder, making it easy to locate an image.
When importing from a camera, make sure you name the roll with a date and text before the import.

Split iPhoto file to backup to MobileMe

I've been trying to backup my iPhoto file to MobileMe to have an off-site copy of my pictures. I want to backup Library.iPhoto which is 3.8GB. Looking at posts in the .Mac to MobileMe forum it appears that there is a limit of 2GB for files. To get around this limit is it possible to go into the Library.iPhoto package and "extract" individual files for backup?

Dewey
I'm sorry bit this is not clear.
I want to backup Library.iPhoto which is 3.8GB.
This is a single file. Do you mean you want to back up your iPhoto Library?
What I do for off-site back up is upload my pics to Flickr or SmugMug. Flickr has a free version. I also burn the Library to DVD (stored across town in a relative's home) and also have copy on an external drive that lives in my car. (Paranoid? Me?)
If you enter the iPhoto Package File and try and extract parts, then you're no longer backing up the Library.
So can you clarify what you want to back up: The iPhoto Library? Or the Pics? The pics will not include albums etc)
Regards
TD

How to remove Database Files and Backup from ASM

Hi All,
Oracle Database 11.2.0.3
OEL 5.7
We have a host for restore purposes.
We execute monthly or quarterly restore operations to verify that I am able to restore a subset of the data in the given amount of time or to other purposes.
I have a automated script to Clone the Database, but to Clone Database we need remove the old database from ASM before start this operation. I want remove only Database files and keep the configuration (such as oratab/network/ocr and so on).
Question: There is a easy way to remove these files without connect on ASM or by using DBCA?
Appreciate any helps.

user12028775 wrote:
Hi All,
Oracle Database 11.2.0.3
OEL 5.7
We have a host for restore purposes.
We execute monthly or quarterly restore operations to verify that I am able to restore a subset of the data in the given amount of time or to other purposes.
I have a automated script to Clone the Database, but to Clone Database we need remove the old database from ASM before start this operation. I want remove only Database files and keep the configuration (such as oratab/network/ocr and so on).
Question: There is a easy way to remove these files without connect on ASM or by using DBCA?
Yes... there is a easy way. Use command DROP DATABASE.
Use the DROP DATABASE command to delete the target database and, if RMAN is connected to a recovery catalog, unregister it. RMAN removes all datafiles, online redo logs, and control files belonging to the target database. By default, RMAN prompts for confirmation.
Put this command on your script before clone your database:
RMAN> CONNECT TARGET SYS@test1
RMAN> STARTUP FORCE MOUNT
RMAN> SQL 'ALTER SYSTEM ENABLE RESTRICTED SESSION';
RMAN> DROP DATABASE INCLUDING BACKUPS NOPROMPT;Regards,
Levi Pereira

Store to file and backup at same time

Hello!
We have a very well working measurement software written in LabView. However we would like to backup the data files regularly. We want to be able to do this even during measurement and while the software is writing to the files. Now when we try to do so, we occasionally face "Error 5 occurred at Open/Create/Replace File" (in "Write To Spreadsheet File") because another software (backup, windows stuff, else...) accesses the files also. Now from my point of view this kind of concurring file access should not be a problem since LV is the only software writing to the files. There are 3 possible solutions I can think of:
delay the write (not feasible since you don't know how long to delay, e.g. how long the other software stays open)
queue the data and write it on next try (e.g. https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-7212 - but again; how long to queue?)
the proper thing is; copy the file to a temporary one, edit the temporary, delete the original and move the temp. in this place
the last one should be the proper solution and also work on different OS since the copy/moving stuff should be atomic operations and thus safe in this context. However I implemented the solution and still have exactly the same problem but now in "Move File"... I am starting to doubt if it is possible to solve this issue at all and thus desparatly need help here! As I can see there is not lock or mutex on the file and no need for LV to raise an error (I think it is done as warning for future possible conflicts)... I assume it is some hidden/strange badly documented Windows API "feature" LV is using to detect those other accesses and it results in a behaviour I cannot change or fix - so what to do here...?
Thanks a lot in advance for any helpful suggestions or hints! Greetings
Ursin Solèr
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I Think you must have missunderstood me; the problem is you cannot open and write to a file while another external program has it opened too with exclusive access. Consider following code:
If you open the file during the "Wait" (it is closed then because "Write to Spreadsheet" does open, write, close) e.g. with MS Word wich does an exclusive open (allowing exclusive access only) then during the next loop your program will crash with error 5.
The solution I mentioned is to open it first in LV an keep it open all the time:
which prevent e.g. MS Word to open it exclusively but read-only!
What you mentioned is regarding a backup - I considered this double write long before, but it is no good solution, beacuse e.g. the other drive might be a network drive and I don not want to handle absent drives - that's something the external backup tool should do.

I click on a old iPhotos file and it started to replace my new files were are they now

i click on a old iphoto file in finder and it started to replace my photos in current iphotos were did they go my newer photos

If you're runnning iPhoto 9.5.1 you just opened the old library. The current photos will be in the newer library.
You can merge the two libraries into one librfary by using the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager and following this tutorial: Fat Cat Software - iPhoto Library Manager Help - Merging libraries
If you launch iPhoto with the Option key held down you'll get a window which shows all of your libraries and can pick the library to open:
OT

Deleted/edited original iPhoto files and photos import every time I connect

I think I may have done a bad thing...
I was moving photos from my computer to my external hard drive and deleted and edited some originals iPhoto files. Now, every time I connect my camera, every photo imports and it takes forever! Is there any way I reverse this or is this a lost cause?
Help, please!

Can you run that one by us again...
I was moving photos from my computer to my external hard drive and deleted and edited some originals iPhoto files.
How did you do this?
Now, every time I connect my camera, every photo imports and it takes forever!
Isn't that what you want to happen?
Is there any way I reverse this or is this a lost cause?
Reverse what?
Regards
TD

IPhoto storage and backup

I am looking for recommendations on where to locate an iPhoto '11 (v9.5) library and how to back up this library.
I have a new 27" iMac with a 3 TB fusion drive. I also have a Synology DS412+ system on my home network for Time Machine backups. My 770 GB iPhoto (v9.4.3) library is currently on an external WD FireWire drive. I shoot photos in RAW format. I use Aperture as my photo editing tool.
Does it make sense to put the iPhoto library on an external Thunderbolt drive like a WD My Book VelociRaptor or a Drobo 5D? If I put the library on an external drive, is there a way to back this up using Time Machine and the Synology system?
I would like photos I am currently working with to have fast read/write times for editing. Older photos could be on a slower-access system.
I would also like to be able to share the iPhoto library with my family. Is there a drive solution that makes it easier for everyone to access the photos from inside our home network? I also have 50 GB of storage on iCloud.
Thank you. I realize I'm asking a lot of questions at the same time.
RB

iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). And as Aprture and iPhoto use the same Library, that's true of Aperture Libraries too.
That library needs to be either a start up disk or a wired link to an external USB, Firewire or Thunderbold drive. Network drives (NAS) or, hard drives accessed via a network are not suitable locations.
See this article
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5168
for more. Note also the comment:
“Additionally, storing the iPhoto library on a network rather than locally on your computer can also lead to poor performance or data loss.”
So, whatever drive you choose it needs to fit those characteristics.
The same for the back up, of course.

ASM files and backups

We are setting up new machines with the intent to eventually start using RAC so I am planning on using ASM. I was reading Oracle's "Automatic Storage Management Technical Best Pratices" and there is a statement that says "database backups of ASM files can only be performed with RMAN" . Our UNIX admins (as part of this project) purchased a product "HP Business Copy EVA" with the intent of using it to do Oracle backups very quick.
Does anyone have any experience with "HP Business Copy EVA" ?
Does anyone backup ASM files without using RMAN?
Can anyone explain why Oracle's paper makes this statement?

We are in the process of implementing a 10g RAC solution now. We started out using ASM and ran into a number of problems including some memory leaks on the ASM instance. We switched to OCFS and system has been running without a hitch for a month. Good thing here is all the old backup scripts function. Do not need to use RMAN if you really don't want to.
--Paul

Storing Files and backups

Hi,
I have a timecapsule and would like to use it to 1)store files to be accessed anywhere on the net (im guessing this means using it with backtomymac?)
and 2) use it for the timemachine backups
These processes are each used by a different user (one wants backups and the other file access)
Is this possible and secure?

You can do both..
Accessing from the Net is not as easy as it sounds.. but there is plenty of info around..
Starting here.
AirPort Disk - Remote Access (3 Methods)
You can backup your TM to the same TC.. but encrypt the backup otherwise anybody will be able to access it.. once encrypted they can still access it but they cannot read it. Nor can the person it belongs to if they forget the password.. so this is important to store the password in some secure way.. aware that without it you may as well have not even bothered.

Brbackup on HA and backup strategy

Dear Expert,
We have a ECC6 on HA and node1 hosts AS and node2 host DB.
Now when we login to node1,
sapnode1:abcadm> brtools
BR0651I BRTOOLS 7.00 (24)
BR0152E Environment variable ORACLE_HOME is not set
BR0280I BRTOOLS time stamp: 2009-01-26 12.38.22
BR0654I BRTOOLS terminated with errors
1. Is there any doc which explains how to go with backup/restore on HA
2. Also a doc which explains the backup/restore strategy for production
3. For the DR site which method is the best one and how to do it?
Regards
Prash

Hi Upender,
Very helpful answer indeed. Awarded points.
Will drill down to it and will check as what can be done so that DB13 can run smoothly. If you can make my approach more easy, if u have already done it.
My default profile
SAPSYSTEMNAME                               ABC
SAPGLOBALHOST                               abc-ascs-srv
rdisp/mshost                                abc-ascs-srv
rdisp/msserv                                sapmsABC
rdisp/msserv_internal                       3902
enque/process_location                      REMOTESA
enque/serverhost                            abc-ascs-srv
enque/serverinst                            02
login/system_client                         001
j2ee/scs/host                               abc-scs-srv
j2ee/scs/system                             01
j2ee/ms/port                                3901
SAPDBHOST                                   abc-db-srv
j2ee/dbtype                                 ora
j2ee/dbname                                 ABC
j2ee/dbhost                                 abc-db-srv
rdisp/bufrefmode                            sendoff,exeauto
DIR_PUT                                     /usr/sap/$(SAPSYSTEMNAME)/put
Instance profile
SAPLOCALHOST                                abc-d00-srv
Startup profile
SAPLOCALHOST                                abc-d00-srv
Can you give me some idea as what can be done.
My DB is on abc-db-srv and as u can see my default profile for various parameter?
Regards
Prash

Can I automatically save a file and backup at the same time?

My financial files are held in the cloud which means time machine does not back them up. Is there a way I can automatically backup the files whenever I save them?

Anyone? Even if only to say it can't be done.

What is the best way to create additional storage AND backup a laptop, as well as the storage?

Beyond being seriously annoyed at an Apple Employee recommended we go the NAS route at an Apple Store no less—only to find it doesn't work for storage OR Time Machine backups of iPhoto (after spending weeks organizing/transferring date, outside of a good deal of coin)—we are now perplexed as how to set up/store based on our needs.
Goals
Create additional storage (iPhoto, iTunes, documents) for the family laptop
Accessible by anyone/device on the home network (iPad, mini iPad, iPhones, etc..)
Would prefer the ability to access this offsite as well
Backup of the laptop
Backup of the storage HD
Ensure we do not lose iPhoto libraries data/files
Here is what I am thinking—need to know if it will work.
Purchase two HDs
Plug them into my base station
Allocate one HD @2T for storage (additional iPhoto libraries, home movies, iTunes libraries, etc...)
Partition the second HD @3T to handle two Time Machine backups
(a) Time Machine of the laptop (up to 1T of backups)
(b) Time Machine of the first HD (up to 2T of backups) - Is this possible?
What I need to know is
Is it possible to partition a HD to Time Machine two backups from different sources—one being a HD?
If this is not a good solution—what is? I am pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to deal with a lot of data related to iPhoto due to the formatting limitations there.

While most do not advocate mixing Time Machine backups with other files, I have 3 Time Capsules with files and backups on the same partition and have never had a problem despite doing it for many years. All 3 Time Capsule are set up as NAS devices.
One Time Capsule holds the Snow Leopard partition backup of two computers. The other two each have a backup of the Mountain Lion partition of two computers. Time Machine is set up to alternate between the devices, which it can now do. On these 2 Time Capsules is a copy of the iTunes Library and a copy of the iPhotos Library, which provides a backup for the two. Every so often I manually copy the new files from the primary iTunes/iPhotos library to the backup on the other Time Capsule.
If the computer is on, I can access the computer from my iPad and then access the hard drives and the files.
Hopefully, I have been able to make this clear.

Opening iPhoto file from other Mac in order to extract images

My son got his first MacBook Pro trashed several months ago. He got another, but did not port his data from the iPhoto file backed up from his first MBP. Instead, he has an iPhoto file on his new MBP and has been adding pics and movies to it.
The problem is he has about 5GB of pics/movies in the old iPhoto file, and he wants to extract them and import them into his current iPhoto file. The old iPhoto file is on an external drive that he used for backup. My task is to get these images from the old iPhoto file for him.
I was hoping I could swap iPhoto files on my Mac, but that didn't seem to work.
How can we gain access to the images in the old iPhoto file?
Message was edited by: Fastdude

The easiest way to do what you want is to use iPhoto Library Manager to merge the two Libraries.
Altenratively: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and point it at the Library on the external. Export the pics from it (File -> Export) and import them to the new Library. Note: There is no way to get all the versions of the photos when you do this.
Regards
TD

IPhoto file and backup strategy

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