Memory storage. Pros & cons?

[intrepidity]

I need to free up space again on my devices, and am contemplating which physical format to use.

Cloud storage is not in the running, so these must be physical.

Options:
1) external hard drive -- SST vs OG

2) Cards (micro SD etc)

3) USB flash/thumb drive

While I like having everything in one place, I also favor decentralization. Also, most of the time no computer will be involved, so something easily portable for mobile devices.

Any prefs for cards over thumbs?

Aside from cloud or RAID, what is your archive method?

Also, suggestions for robust photo mgmt solution (again, not cloud)?

TIY

[CurtEastPoint]

1. sorry, by OG you mean... ?

[intrepidity]

3. Old school

Like, not solid state

[yourout]

2. I personally use all SSDs with large format platter drives for automated backup.

The new systems with M2 SSDs are fraking awesome.

[SheltieLover]

4. 4TB external hard drive for just undet $100.

Best value for storage.

But not as durable or fast as an SSD, but you'll be limited by interface you're plugging it into.

Can also get a micro SD card & USB adapter. Much more durable than hard drive & easier to transport. More reliable as well.

[intrepidity]

5. Ok that's important

I also want to be sure that if I go back in ten years, the data will all still be intact. It feels like cards or flash drives are the way to go, but is one better than the other?

What I'm envisioning is like a bunch of 32 or 64gig cards/thumbs, one for each time period (6mos? 1 year?) of eg, photos, files, etc.

I don't want all my eggs in one basket, as they say.

[SheltieLover]

6. Great idea to have various media types.

Data rot is an issue with all types of storage.

Any flash memory stores data as electrical signal. If you don't power up regularly, then it can be corrupted.

Hard drives store magnetically. You can use Windows built in systems to scan & correct data.

A lot of folks will copy data from 1 to another, because that strengthens the magnetic field that stores the data.

For cards & thumbs, just power it up a couple of times per year & that should preserve the data. But anything important should be duplicated on >1 device because any of them can fail.

3-2-1 rule: for critical storage. Stored on 3 types of media, store 2 on-site & 1 off site in case of a fire or other disaster.

Both have same issue of potentially losing data.

[intrepidity]

7. I'm big on redundancy

I never knew that about periodically powering up--I've always subscribed to the sleeping dogs lie school, so thanks.

Through life circumstances I lost quite a bit of stuff in recent years, so am not nearly as fastidious as I used to be.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

8. Some info...

https://www.pcworld.com/article/423607/hard-core-data-preservation-the-best-media-and-methods-for-archiving-your-data.html

I have about 2 dozen SATA hard drives on shelves, ranging from 1TB to 4TB.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

9. Some questions...

Devices? Phone, camera, tablet...web enabled roomba??? Whatcha got?

What OS(s)?

"...no computer will be involved..." Do you not have one? Do you want the data available without having to deal with a computer?

How much data?

Does the photo mgmt need to avaoid being on a computer?