Is formatting the CF card often good?

I am surprised that no one else says they just simply 'move' the files to a hard drive, leaving nothing behind and not actually opening the files with any software that might leave its fingerprints on a file. I shoot raw, and use windows explorer to 'move' files from a card slot to my harddrive, then copy everything to a working file that will eventually hold the finished shots. that leaves me with unopened files on my hard drive and an empty card. Am I alone in doing it this way? I am working without the encumberances of any formal training in this area, please help me if I am doing it wrong. I hate doing it wrong

I usually do it just like that.
Put the card in a card reader, cut all the files from the card, and paste them to my local hard drive.
But it's a bit smarter to copy them to your hard drive, than make a backup of the copied files and only after you actually Have them on your drive ( or two ), remove them. But now these are routines for people that would kill themselves if they lose the images on the card.

I usually just cut / paste the files, and is working great.

I agree with the "copy the files" method.

My workflow is as follows: Card reader. Copy onto hard drive. Burn on DVD. Verify DVD. Format card in computer. Format card in camera.

It seems some people end up with card errors after formatting in computer due to different file systems so probably best to do it in camera.

I always dump my card to PC after a days shooting, whether it's full or not, and format it in camera. The 'format' function is quicker than the 'delete all'.

I always format after I download too.

Format in the camera after confirming the download.

highbarger wrote in post #6072200
My workflow is as follows: Card reader. Copy onto hard drive. Burn on DVD. Verify DVD. Format card in computer. Format card in camera.

I use this method for important stuff, like my pictures

card reader -> copy to hard drive -> check pics on hard drive -> format card in camera

if it's something important burn to DVD before formatting.

I format my cards in camera every few weeks.. No problems..