File saving in the future, PSD or TIFF

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Originally Posted by drjuice

One thing I forgot to mention was that I save a current copy of the software I use for converting RAW images on each of the archival disks. It's less that 0.5MB so it doesn't take up a lot of space and insures that I have something that will read the remainder of the disk.

virginia

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That works, but has some pitfalls. You're fine if:
- the disk can still be read: CDs and DVD deteriorate over time, and file systems could change...
- the software can still be executed (not sure a program written for the original Apple Mackintosh would run on the latest Apples, I'm sure it won't)

I suppose you refer to dcraw, so that's for the moment a rather safe bet (the source code is available, rather straightforward and in a standard language).
It might not work as well for proprietary software.

Hi, Revi - Yup, on the dcraw. But, one of the things I've learned in the process of working on a Java version is more about RAW than I never thought I'd want to know! ;~)

virginia

I can believe that! I found it a rather daunting piece of software to get my head around (but then again, I'm a decent amateur programmer, not an experienced pro).
You know there's a library version of dcraw as well, I suppose (libraw, licensed under GPLv2).

I have decide to upgrade my CS5 to CS6 while it is still available for download from Adobe. I am sure there is a risk to doing this but for $200 I can have the latest stand alone software. I will add the new Lightroom 5 when it comes available. I will now keep my original Canon CR2 files as well as convert them to DNG. I have to accept that I will continue to save my unflatten PSD files and hope they will be useable in the future, but if they are not I will have to join CC. At least I am not 20 years old and just starting out in photography. That group will be tied to Adobe's monthly program for the rest of their lives if they choose to work in PS.

Yup, Revi, I do know about the library. My notion of having a version of dcraw in Java was so that I could use it without change in all the environments where I do photographic work and all the environments where I'll be travelling, many of which I have no opportunity whatsoever to control the computational environment, unless it's on my big memory stick. I've also found it a useful exercise to keep my Java skills current.

virginia