Hi, I'm looking for ways to archive my images securely. I am hesitating in choosing the file format and the storage means. Apparently uncompressed TIFF images are recommended for preserving pixel quality, and an external hardware is a safe place to store the files. However I am also considering to upload the pictures on the web and create online backup files. I looked at Picasa and Shutterfly Studio software, however Picasa does not seem to provide online hosting and Shutterfly Studio only allows to upload files in JPEG format (which decreases image quality). Do you have any solutions? Do you know websites that offer secure photo storage (preferrably free)? Thanks

I wouldn't save any of my important data online. I backup everything on another hard drive and emergency backups on DVDs. By the way there is no difference in saving files in TIFF with any other graphics format. They are all saved digitally and all will age equally. (edit) That (age) might mislead you. The pictures don't age, only the magnetized bits do. After 'many' decades it might cause problems reading the files.

I'm not sure, but now that yahoo has unlimited storeage, why not save them on there? Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

"there is no difference in saving files in TIFF with any other graphics format" Hmmm - as noted, JPEG (jpg) can be 'lossy', depending Truly secure archives or backups must be redundant, and at least one set 'offsite' Censorship is the tool of those who have the need to hide actualities from themselves and others. Their fear is only their inability to face what is real.

Jboy, I knew my post was gonna cause responses and after I did it, I wished I hadn't. What I really meant was that there was no difference in saving files of equal resolution. I took his/her 'preserving' to mean that he/she thought TIFF would last longer. What I should have said was 'save the graphics files in whatever format they were originally created in and don't convert them to TIFF'.

TIFF is a good format choice. It is lossless and very well supported. However, at some point that format may become obsolete. But, that process would take many years during which you could do a mass convert of all your images. As for the medium, an online backup is a good choice in my opinion as long as it is not your only backup method. I would recommend backing up to DVD as well as an online backup. For an online solution you don't want to look for a program per se, you should simply find a host that has enough space. You could simply go through a web hosting company and use the space for your backups - you don't have to have a web site. But, there are services out there simply for online backups. Michael J