Do you keep the zip files?

[Robin E.]

To date (going back 3 years), I have kept ALL the zip files of all the DSP items I have downloaded (I'm still overwhelmed at times from DSP, so I haven't ventured out to any other sites). Now that folder is almost 3 GB, and I'm wondering what to do with it. On one or two occasions it was helpful to have the zip files available as I mistakenly made changes on an original and saved it. Having access to the zip file allowed me to restore the kit or item to it's original form.

So, what do YOU do with the zip files? I don't have any DVD+Rs right now, but even if I did I'd be inclined to wait until it was over 4GB, since I have this thing about making sure a DVD+R or CD-R is full before I burn it. I have CD-Rs, but it'd take 4 of them. Is burning the zip files onto CDs or DVDs what you all do?

[Leslie]

After losing stuff - computer crashes, I would not take any chances and would burn now. Better to be safe than sorry. :)

I have all my DSP things backed up onto 3 EHDs. So I recently took the zip files off the laptop.

My DVDs cost me 50c - the zip files are worth hundreds. :)

A DVD in the bookcase, can be worth a lot. :)

[Scrapping4Him]

Yep - I archive them on DVDs too. Leslie's very right - the cost of a DVD is way cheaper than if you had to replace all those kits. I'm getting ready to make a duplicate set of my DVDs for storing at my mom's house for extra peace of mind. It's one thing to have a back up here at the house, but when you live in wildfire prone areas it's a good idea to have things backed up somewhere else for safe keeping.

[quanita]

I lost a lot of computer files recently and have had to learn the hard way, I have 2 DVD copies of my scrapping zip files in date of purchase order - up to 4 DVDs but the 4th one is not full so that makes around 14GB sheesh!

I have started culling my hard drive files - like I have a tendency not to touch QC and Templates at all so have deleted them, but I still have them on zip just in case I change my mind. I also make sure that I add the designer number to the front of it for all zip files (sometimes not there on Freebies and Bonuses) so that if I need to get something I can search by designer

[Margie]

as a tip, you might just archive your folders instead of the zips so you don't have to spend time unzipping later!

[Robin E.]

Okay, I went through and weeded out the folder, deleting stuff I KNOW I won't need again, like previous months desktop calendars (the ones that come in the newsletter each month). I also delete anything I knew was in the Freebies Gallery and has been there for a long time (unlike Nicole's blog freebies that are there only for a week or two). That took the folder down to 2.51 GB. So, I'll burn some CDs tonight. I do back up my computer monthly, so even the zipped file folder is backed up, but here my computer is only a year old and I'm already facing space issues (both drives on the computer are 40GB and both are about 3/4 full). The computer isn't exactly (okay, not even close) to what I would have chosen for myself, but it was a gift from my mother so I can't be too picky. Thank you.

[Robin E.]

But don't zip files take up less space? I back up my computer monthly, which currently is all the folders AND all the zips. That's kind of why I was asking what other people do, because it seems odd to be saving and backing up both in the same place.

[JenniferG]

I don't keep my zip files. I have never made changes to an original kit item as I use the file/place method instead of file/open. My kits are over 10GB now. Burned them onto 4.7gb rewritable DVDs. Keeps me safe and my hard drive clear. Buying an EHD soon, though. 500GB. So I should have plenty of back up for my files!

[jcdsmith]

I realize this tread started a while back but wanted to jump in with my 2 cents worth. I do not save my zipped folders - yes, they take up less space. However, every time I go on a spending spree I save the stuff into a folder called (what else?) "New Stuff". I burn it onto a CD or DVD, depending how buy crazy I was. Since I do almost all my internet browsing & buying on my Mac (because so very few viruses out there that effect a Mac), my Mac unzips the files as they are downloaded and automatically puts the zip folder in the trash. I also save everything to an external HD which is not usually hooked up to my PC or Mac. I am going to sign up with an internet site that does auto backups of everything on your HD so if you crash, all your stuff is safe, even your emails. I figured that $50 per year isn't bad insurance.

[debilou]

I too am now running on a Mac - FORGET CD's they are not very reliable.

And, also on a mac - .zip files are just thrown away for you.. we only get the kit or freebie.

I would highly recommend you invest in an EHD - or a USB Drive that will hold your files safely.

I have lost files on several ocassions, and I now have my very best friend MR. EHD running at least once of twice a week backing up my entire system..

It keeps track of everything on my hard drive.. so if my system fails, I have every single thing on it...

I got it at Costco, for almost nothing..

But, if you can't afford that, buy DVD's...

[HeatherH]

as a tip, you might just archive your folders instead of the zips so you don't have to spend time unzipping later!

This is what I do.

[Muma]

I still have to back my folders up .. I am very bad at this even though I have had 2 PCs fail on me and lost a great deal of personal things.

When I do I'll be backing up folders to DVDs. Probably 1 per designer here and then 1 per store for elsewhere as I have way more stuff for DSP .... of course LOL

I am so reluctant to get an EDH as I have heard so many horror stories on the web at many places. If there is a brand of EDH that is more reliable than others I might look into it but I'm also looking into online storage to.

My PC has 2 320G HDs and currently all my scrapbook stuff is on the 2nd HD seperate from from my OS.

[sherryva]

I too, use several ehd's for backup-(helps me to sleep at night).
I got tired of burning cds and dvds- (mostly because I am bad at labeling them and retrieving them later). I bought some 8 GB jump drives in costco- they were on sale about $10 each- I just keep adding the zip files to it until it is full, then I label it with the year and toss it in my desk. The chances are very remote that I will need the zip files again, but for some reason I dont want to part with them.... yet. But I do like the online backup idea... I will need to look into that one.

[debilou]

I did the on line back up - I used Carbonite - and I did like it - BUT here's the catch - it does NOT back up EHD's - and it ONLY backs up data files - no programs, quick time programs, fonts, or things like that.

So, when I made the move from a PC to my MAC - the folder system is so different, it really didn't help me a lot... yes the files are there, but not in the right way...

So, I ended up using my EHD to move my files over.

When I just using my PC - Carbonite worked great.. once you get past your initial backup - I had about 50 GB of data - (that took about a week) because it runs in the background, you never ever know it running.. And, your files are safe.

So, personally, I've tried the on line service, and, now I'm back to an EHD...

Just my personal thoughts.

[tichwoli]

I keep all the zip files too just in case.

I back up to ehds and to the internet every day. I am so glad that I can back up to the internet because heaven forbid, I lose my computer, I can access everything directly from the internet and restore immediately.

That being said, I do pay for this service on a monthly basis and am very happy with it.

[Limequilla]

Robin, I know I am way too late for this question, bu I wanted to chime in in case anybody is wondering about keeping their zip files.

The thing about zip files -- and this is for scrapbook stuff -- is that they don't actually save any space and are only packed 1 or 2%. I am pretty sure they are zipped to keep the files together and the read mes and TOUs together with the files they pertain to.

IMHO, one is better served by unpacking (unzipping) taking a look at what one has, maybe changing any file names that need to be changed to add the designer's name or whatever matches your preferred system, then putting the whole folder in the batch to burn or put on the EHD. I like to rename any folders marked "preview" to "folder" so they show up in my Explorer list, but that is dependent on which version of Windows one uses.

In any case, even if things are on a DVD or on an EHD one might want to look at them (look through them) for some reason and it's way easier to look at unzipped things than zipped things. It's also easier to pull out a perfect ribbon or frame from an unzipped folder.

The tip about saving folders is one Margie said above, but Luvskitties told it to me in a chat once and I had an Aha moment. (more like a d-uh moment!) I also like looking at the name of the kit instead of the name of the zip file -- and I like my files capitalized and alphabetical. Folders and zip files don't alphabetize the same way in my Windows version.

Now if I could just remember which drive they were in, I'd be all set!