My archiving method

I'm writing this post to answer the so many questions about the method I use to archive my pictures. The goal is to achieve the best data protection with less expense and with the possibility to find a picture in the archive in the easiest way possible.
First of all, let's speak about storage devices: my archive is stored on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) that features two hard disks (1 TB each) configured on a RAID1 level. This term marks a connection level which allows data saved on the first disk to be constantly copied on the second one (mirroring); in this way I always see just one disk while the NAS allows to have all data stored on both. The big advantage is that if one disk is broken, I just have to change it and the NAS will automatically copy the data on it. I am currently using a product, Conceptronic NAS: http://www.conceptronic.it/Site/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=232&cid=30&gid=3030&pid=CH3HNAS
It is very easy to use and it is not expensive!

Someone may be surprised to know the way how I organize the folders in my archive: it is not based on subject classification (e.g. landscapes, macro, birds, etc.)! Actually, the main partition is based on folders that have the same capacity of a DVD disc and are named with a DVD mark and an ascending number. Only inside these folders you can find a subject classification (raptors, passerines, landscapes, macro and so on). This allows me to have another copy of my archive on DVDs, thus reducing the risk of data loss.

When I need a particular picture, I just have to search in the database on which this website is based and enter the code of the desired picture. The search result will show me the DVD number where the file I’m looking for is. For example, if the search result is DVD10, this means I will find the same picture both on a disc called DVD10 and on a folder with the same name stored on my NAS. Furthermore, thanks to Adobe Bridge, I can also easily search for RAW files on the NAS. This is very useful because not all RAW files are converted to JPEG-format to be shown on the website.