jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,871
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on May 16, 2021 17:54:27 GMT
I've been going through all my digital files (holy crap, how did I accumulate so many?) and am wondering if I should keep the original zip file or trash it once I've extracted the files. I was thinking about getting an external HD for just zipped files or maybe just uploading them to my many different online backup services (I was testing a bunch of different online backup options for work and now I have files scattered all over the cloud - I don't suggest this). My thoughts behind keeping the zip files is if the extracted files get corrupted I can just extract them again. And currently I'm organizing my digital files by creator (like Everyday Explorer, IACB, Studio Calico, etc) and then tagging the folder with what's in it so when I need a "heart" digital file it will bring up all the hearts. (here's the link for how to do this on a Mac if you're curious - folder or file tagging on a Mac ) I think I just answered my own question (I'll keep the zips and store them offline or in the cloud) but I am curious if you all keep your zip files after extraction. |
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Post by joblackford on May 16, 2021 18:15:24 GMT
I used to, and I think I still have a lot tucked away in folders, but I've never intentionally re-extracted a file (just accidental double clicks while tidying up folders on a buggy laptop, gah!) and I think it just adds to my clutter. So I think I usually delete them once I've saved the files.
Truth be told I don't end up using many of the digital files I download, or at least not more than a couple of elements or a few times, and with how dated some of the older ones look already I doubt I will be using them long term anyway. Most of the stuff I do use is pretty classic basic stuff that would be easy to replace if needed. So I guess I view these things as semi-disposable. I do have the extracted files backed up in a couple of spots, and maybe saving the zip files would make sense since they take up less space...
Curious what others have to say.
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Post by wendifful on May 16, 2021 20:50:51 GMT
I keep mine too, just in case.
I'd say the bulk of my digital files is from Studio Calico, from a long time ago. I got overwhelmed looking through all of them trying to find what I needed, so I decided to organize like this:
1) Unzip all files
2) Move all my "favorite" items to categories (favorite stamps, favorite PL cards, favorite cut files, etc)
3) Add subfolders to these folders (for example, in stamps: heart/stars, words, images, etc)
4) Delete all unzipped files that weren't my favorite (but keep original zipped files)
I've really enjoyed this system because I don't spend forever looking through multiple subfolders. There were some digital stamp sets I bought specifically for one or two phrases, so now those are easy to find without having to wade through other stuff.
I've also bought some AC Digitals collections lately when they've had them on sale and I've separated them this way:
1) Papers
2) Images
3) Sentiments
Inside sentiments, I separate into "card sentiments" and "non-card sentiments" since I'm primarily a cardmaker these days, so again, I don't have to look through phrases that wouldn't make sense on a card.
(Oh and for my zipped files, I'll usually make a folder that just says "zipped files" so I don't have to look at them unless I need them.)
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Post by rune2484 on May 16, 2021 21:00:46 GMT
I delete my zipped files - I read early on that they are comparatively easy to corrupt, and I am just not willing to waste my time with high-maintenance files. My organized digi kits all get backed up whenever I buy new products.
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Post by mom on May 16, 2021 22:47:59 GMT
I delete mine -- but I always save a copy of the entire file on a hard drive (separate from my normal hard drive that I download everything to) so I have it if I need it later.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,427 
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Post by cbscrapper on May 17, 2021 0:09:39 GMT
Nope. I’ve always deleted the zip files as soon as I unzip them.
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Post by AussieMeg on May 17, 2021 0:40:42 GMT
No I don't keep the zipped files. I started off keeping the zipped files as a back up, but realised that they didn't save as much space as I expected.
I keep all of my photos and digital scrapping kits and digital layouts in my iCloud account - I pay for 2TB storage.
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nicolep
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,080
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Post by nicolep on May 17, 2021 1:53:04 GMT
This is such a great question. I have often wanted to ask it myself so thank you !  |
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,486
Member is Online
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on May 17, 2021 10:31:57 GMT
I'm another one who deletes the zip files. I kept them for years but realised I never go back to them so now I save the hard drive space by deleting as soon as I've extracted the files and checked everything has worked properly.
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Post by elegantsufficiency on May 17, 2021 12:53:54 GMT
Me too - I delete the zipped files as soon as I've sorted the contents into more usable categories (same as others above: papers, elements, phrases) I keep the original folder with the index image in my backup.
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,871
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on May 17, 2021 13:33:43 GMT
Okay, you’ve all convinced me to delete the zips and delete any files I know I’m not going to use. If worse comes to worse I can always track down where I bought the files from and re-download (of the website is still around). Like someone said above, some of my files are so old and the style is not what I would use anymore I’m going to delete with no regrets. Thanks everyone!
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Post by rymeswithpurple on May 27, 2021 23:01:59 GMT
Question for you digital scrappers! I've found that I can buy the digital cardstock patterns I've been searching for, and was thinking of buying them, and then getting them printed at 12"x12" and then cutting them to size on my Cricut, almost as if they were regular cardstock pieces. Has anyone cut photos with their Cricut?
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,228
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Post by gina on May 28, 2021 21:38:06 GMT
Delete.
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Post by Kelly_MR on Jul 25, 2021 15:49:35 GMT
I delete them once I have a back-up of the files on my 2nd external drive. Having just started digital again after ohh so many years I just completed a big cleanout of my old files, got rid of all the freebies and blog train kits, and those that looked "old" and am starting fresh. I forgot how much I enjoy digi-scrapping.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 25, 2021 23:21:09 GMT
I delete the zip files once I've unzipped them. I've also been going through my digital files since I just got a new laptop, and I don't want to waste any space. I also don't want to be overwhelmed with images that I know I'll never use. I'm much more selective now when I download free images. Just because they're free doesn't mean I need them, of that I'll use them.
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