Is it just me?

I see alot of posts of people using variuos programs to download images from Camera or card.
I just use windows explorer and move them around.
Always have I guess.
What are the advantages of using other programs?

What you're doing works for me too. I just use a card reader which is seen as just another drive. Far easier than trying to download via software directly from the camea.

Typically I do the same. Recently I have been using ACDSee image import. It creates a dated folder on a specified drive and pulls all the photos on the card to that folder. It is just an extra step I don't have to do. I then manually copy them to categorized folders on yet another drive as a backup.

Bill Roberts wrote in post #3503027
What you're doing works for me too. I just use a card reader which is seen as just another drive. Far easier than trying to download via software directly from the camea.

I think it's easier too. I just create a folder by date and description, and manually copy.
I don't format the card untill I have them copied in 2 locations.
Was just wondering if the other way was quicker or neater.
Probably too set in my ways to change now anyway.

I use Image Ingester. Renames the files, backs them up to external HDD, and adds IPTC data.

Yup, I use Windows Explorer also - easy, straightforward fast and clean. I tend to think in "subdirectories" so this fits right in.

I'm trying to simplify my digital, not make it more complicated... I like to buy as little s/w as possible unless it's something I really need that will save me time and money,.

I always use Explorer, and name the directory with shoot date/time and location/event.

If it is a big event or a vacation then I split the photos into subdirectories. For example the different places I visited, or the different animals at a zoo.

i import straight in to aperture adjust the iptc in bulk then rate and process the images as they drop into the library

I use windows explorer to take raw photos off my card reader. If I want to rename files I batch rename them when I convert from raw.

I use bridge to download my images. It creates a folder automatically and adds any meta data (such as copyright info) automatically based on a template. Then I backup with SyncBack (free) to 2 external HDD. So it saves me some time. But the old drag n drop seems to work too.

I think the biggest advantage of using a program is being able to have metadata automatically inserted for you.

I use Downloader Pro from Breeze Systems, allows you to chose exactly where the files are saved and can automatically create folder structures and rename the files as it downloads.
I also have it create a back-up set of files that I don't touch in another folder that gets backed-up to a server daily.

http://www.breezesys.c​om/Downloader/index.ht​m