I use DropBox and, like the other responses, think it is a great way to save, access from multiple devices, back-up and share photos. But you mention that you are "tasked with sharing my photos for just viewing or downloading and printing". For this type of use, I often load the pictures (jpeg) into Shutterfly. You can create a link, send it to others. Then they can view and print as needed. No software has to be downloaded. Not everyone has the skill or the desire to use DropBox, especially in my family. I just try to Keep It Simple.
I used to keep my photos in separate categories by using separate USB flash drives as a filing system. They are inexpensive (as someone said) and easy to store. BUT I just spent $1,200 to a firm to get my photos off a "broken" USB flash drive. They told me the inner controller failed (maybe I am not using the correct terminology). The USB flash drive was a well known brand with a good reputation for quality. The firm was successful in retrieving all my photos but it was terrifying (they wouldn't guarantee any success) and a lesson learned. Now I use an external hard drive and DropBox.
As with many pieces of software and hardware (computer or camera), it all depends on your needs and wants.
There are advantages to Quicken that banking information does not have such as classification of income and expenses, reports, investments and tax information, etc. It is more than a check register. If you only need a check register, then an online bank service should be sufficient.
Try looking at Benq monitors. There are many models and maybe one fits your needs and budget. B&H Photo has some but go to the Benq website (
www.benq.com) to see the full line.
Not to quibble, but the B&H sales order always shows sales tax. They give you a credit equal to the sales tax. So, no one is evading the state and local laws about paying sales tax. It is two different actions. I always pay all my credit cards in full every month and I pay online. So I avoid all high interest and penalty charges from every card. B&H has a great reputation. Synchrony Bank is the unknown for me.
I keep it relatively simple. I use an external drive and Dropbox. By using Dropbox, one has the ability to access files when not on your computer. You just need internet access.
I would always go for the newest version (2020) but you don’t need both.
For photography, I would say grey. The art of B&W photography is captured in shadows and shades of of grey. However, most of my shirts are some shade of blue, so in case no one likes grey, then I would say blue.
Some cameras put movies and videos in a different folder than RAW or jpeg files. I had the same issue with my Sony RX10 and RX100. I had to download the photos and then go back and download the videos. It is a multi step process. Search around the SD card and I am sure you will find them.
PAB20 - Since you never moved the external hard drives, then another offsite option is Dropbox. For $100 a year for 1TB, it is safe, secure and you can share photos from Dropbox as well. And you can access your Dropbox files from any computer with internet service. I never used Backblaze so I do not know how it compares. I use Dropbox for a lot of things, not only photos.
Nanarozzi wrote:
Just curious, of the two you mentioned that you have, which would you take to Europe if you could only take one?
That's a tough question. But I am getting to like the RX10 M4 for travel. But the RX100 iv fits in a shirt pocket whereas the RX10 M4 has to be on a shoulder or neck strap.
I have the RX10 M4 and the RX100 iv. I think these are great cameras with very good lenses. The quality of the pictures, and many in UHH say, is up to the user. But you can’t beat the fact that one does not have to carry other lenses, stop to change lenses, etc. I am your average amateur photographer and I do not specialize in any particular genre. I use it for travel, sports, family, landscapes, etc. It may be on the expensive side but when you add up the cost of a DSLR and related lenses, it is a less expensive alternative. Sony has complicated menus and extensive manuals. But like many other things in life, patience, persistence and trial and error paid off for me.
I went on a tour in Morocco last year. I used the new Sony RX10. Another member of the tour used a DSLR (don’t know which one). I take a lot of pictures and never had to change a lens. I was often last in line because I took pictures (my wife is often my connection line to the tour). Tour groups are not very accommodating for people taking time to take photographs (unless it is specifically a photographer tour). Pictures in the Sahara, camel ride and sand are not suitable for a tripod or a big camera bag. Also, many people in Morocco did not like their picture taken.