Downloading memory card from digital camera in Australia

I don't understand the difference between a copy/backup and a download.
Could I do it easily on a public computer?

You said that Smart Media (Secure Digital?) cards are on their way out.
Does that mean in 2-3 years when my card fails, I'll have to toss my
fairly expensive camera out along with it? This is not what I want to
hear after just getting the camera.

I don't understand the difference between a copy/backup and a download.
Could I do it easily on a public computer?

You said that Smart Media (Secure Digital?) cards are on their way out.
Does that mean in 2-3 years when my card fails, I'll have to toss my
fairly expensive camera out along with it? This is not what I want to
hear after just getting the camera.

Wheels wrote:
I don't understand the difference between a copy/backup and a download.

Not "download", but "offload". What I mean is that with "copy/backup"
you *copy* the pictures from the memory card to the CD, but leave them
on the memory card, hence the term "backup", i.e. an *extra*/spare copy.
With "offload" one normally means that you, effectively, *move* the
pictures from the memory card to the CD, i.e. you remove/erase/delete/
whatever them from the memory card (to make room for new pictures) and
have only *one* copy (on the CD), i.e. no backup. I advise copy/backup.

Could I do it easily on a public computer?

I don't know because I have no experience with public computers (other
than the occasional webmail), but I wouldn't assume that it is always
possible, because if you can 'import' your pictures (from your memory
card), you could also import viruses and other bad stuff (illegal
program, porn, etc.), so the 'owner' of a public computer might make it
impossible/forbidden to import files.

You said that Smart Media (Secure Digital?) cards are on their way out.
Does that mean in 2-3 years when my card fails, I'll have to toss my
fairly expensive camera out along with it? This is not what I want to
hear after just getting the camera.

No, luckily for you, SmartMedia is not the same as SecureDigital.

But like all media, *some* day SD will become obsolete. Look at other
picture media (like 6x6, 110?, etc.), computer media (like 8" (and
bigger) and 5.25" floppies, countless magnetic tapes, MO, papertape :-),
etc.), audio/video media (like 8-track, DAT, Video 2000, Betamax), etc..
So once in a while check if your media is still readily available and
when it is getting scarce, stock up for the future. As to possible
failure of your card: That is one more reason for not bying one big
card, but several small(er) ones.

Wheels wrote:
I don't understand the difference between a copy/backup and a download.

Not "download", but "offload". What I mean is that with "copy/backup"
you *copy* the pictures from the memory card to the CD, but leave them
on the memory card, hence the term "backup", i.e. an *extra*/spare copy.
With "offload" one normally means that you, effectively, *move* the
pictures from the memory card to the CD, i.e. you remove/erase/delete/
whatever them from the memory card (to make room for new pictures) and
have only *one* copy (on the CD), i.e. no backup. I advise copy/backup.

Could I do it easily on a public computer?

I don't know because I have no experience with public computers (other
than the occasional webmail), but I wouldn't assume that it is always
possible, because if you can 'import' your pictures (from your memory
card), you could also import viruses and other bad stuff (illegal
program, porn, etc.), so the 'owner' of a public computer might make it
impossible/forbidden to import files.

You said that Smart Media (Secure Digital?) cards are on their way out.
Does that mean in 2-3 years when my card fails, I'll have to toss my
fairly expensive camera out along with it? This is not what I want to
hear after just getting the camera.

No, luckily for you, SmartMedia is not the same as SecureDigital.

But like all media, *some* day SD will become obsolete. Look at other
picture media (like 6x6, 110?, etc.), computer media (like 8" (and
bigger) and 5.25" floppies, countless magnetic tapes, MO, papertape :-),
etc.), audio/video media (like 8-track, DAT, Video 2000, Betamax), etc..
So once in a while check if your media is still readily available and
when it is getting scarce, stock up for the future. As to possible
failure of your card: That is one more reason for not bying one big
card, but several small(er) ones.

On Sat, 18 Dec 2004 08:32:37 -0800, Wheels wrote:

You said that Smart Media (Secure Digital?) cards are on their way out.
Does that mean in 2-3 years when my card fails, I'll have to toss my
fairly expensive camera out along with it? This is not what I want to
hear after just getting the camera.

Solid state memory cards are unlikely to fail in 2-3 years. The things are
pretty reliable. There are no moving parts. Compact flash cards have been
known to survive the washing machine. However, by then a comparable
digital camera will probably cost about a quarter of what you paid for it
now. The speed at which they're improving is rapid.

Jason

--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for trip reports including diving
the wreck of the President Coolidge in Santo, Vanuatu

On Sat, 18 Dec 2004 08:32:37 -0800, Wheels wrote:

You said that Smart Media (Secure Digital?) cards are on their way out.
Does that mean in 2-3 years when my card fails, I'll have to toss my
fairly expensive camera out along with it? This is not what I want to
hear after just getting the camera.

Solid state memory cards are unlikely to fail in 2-3 years. The things are
pretty reliable. There are no moving parts. Compact flash cards have been
known to survive the washing machine. However, by then a comparable
digital camera will probably cost about a quarter of what you paid for it
now. The speed at which they're improving is rapid.

Jason

--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for trip reports including diving
the wreck of the President Coolidge in Santo, Vanuatu