Backup/Workflow -- how would you do it?

I have my main computer (Win with LR); a portable external HDD; ReadyNAS NV+
In addition, I have a Smugmug account and am contemplating getting one on Crashplan.

• is it worth getting on Crashplan for remote backup? (I am thinking of using Smugmug mainly to share my pictures)
• I have read that even if files on the local drive are deleted after backing up to Crashplan, as long as the up-loader settings are right (set to "never"), the files will not be deleted from their servers -- is this true? Sorry, I have not yet called Crashplan directly myself -- does anyone have personal experience?
• what would be the most efficient workflow from my camera to Crashplan?

Suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Yes. Crashplan is worth it since you likely have files to backup other than your pictures. It is true that the default setting in Crashplan never deletes deleted files. When restoring, just click a checkbox to see your deleted files.

Set Crashplan to backup your LR catalog and library folder. You can have it backup all the time, or only on certain days and between certain hours of the day. The default is to always backup.

Since I cull heavily, I initially import my photos in Lightroom to a folder on a local drive that does NOT get backed up. After I've whittled them down, I move them to their permanent folder within Lightroom. Crashplan backs this up. Its actually on my NAS.

I use the LR plugin to publish photos on Smugmug. Everything there is just a copy so I wouldn't lose anything if they shut down suddenly.

Thanks for the input, mike_d. I will consider CP.
I am new to LR, so I also need to play with it to understand catalog/library/collec​tion etc.

Backup workflow covered here - near bottom of post.

Crashplan mirrors your hard drives, it never deletes anything from your computer. Works well for me but I've never had to do a restore.

Thanks Tim, for pointing me to your great post. Gives me a lot to think about...the level of detail is very helpful and is what I need...
Cheers!

dhyana wrote in post #17344768
Thanks for the input, mike_d. I will consider CP.
I am new to LR, so I also need to play with it to understand catalog/library/collec​tion etc.

Check out these tutorial videos from Adobe http://tv.adobe.com/sh​ow/learn-lightroom-5/

I do redundant backups of my photo files after hearing so many disaster stories:

This is how I store current stuff (I have another system for older archival files)

1. Working drive is a red 2 TB external USB portable (labeled "A"), backed up after each working session to an second 2TB external portable (labeled "Y"). My Lightroom catalog is also on both of these drives so I can continue working on my other computer.

2. If it's a big session or a ton of important files I also back up immediately to a separate AC powered 4 TB external(labeled "Z"). Otherwise I back up to this weekly.

3. Every month or so, I take my "Y" external portable to my bank's safety deposit box and swap it with "X" (another 2TB external portable) that I stored last month. Cost is $35/year. It's not a cloud based solution but I feel good knowing I'm only 20 minutes away from all my files... uh, oops, unless it's night-time, weekends or holidays! Alternatively, you could save some bucks by storing the backup drive at a friend's house.

4. Store the better pics on my Smugmug site.

Summary: Total drives:
Three 2TB external USB portables, the two safety deposit drives are the same brand & size....just in case one breaks & I need to swap parts.
One 4TB external drive, different brand, AC powered.

This system isn't perfect, but it's one that I've been able to stick to for the past couple of years.