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APRIL | MAY 2022 • MONTANA SENIOR NEWS MODERN SENIOR PAGE 15

devices are bundled with photo management tools, they may not
be set up for maximum advantage.
The key to a good digital shoebox is that it stores all your photos
in one place. That should be your first goal. GIVE A DAM,
The three best choices for digital shoeboxes are Apple Photo
Library, Google Photos, and Adobe Lightroom CC (Creative Cloud).
The cloud options built into these tools are so useful, they should
be a key part of your workflow whenever possible.
Apple iCloud Photo Library is the best choice for most
people. It requires at least one Apple device, and there is a
modest monthly fee for online storage space. However, once they keep your
established, you can upload photos from just about any device,
including Android. You can also upload photos from any Mac power affordable.
or Windows computer. Log into your iCloud account with a
Web browser to upload files.
Google Photos is also excellent, but it requires an always-on
Internet connection. On the plus side, it may be less expensive ICE HARBOR DAM | BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
for larger collections, and it can also accept photos from Android,
Windows, and Apple devices.
Adobe Lightroom CC is a bit more complex and may be a bit
more expensive in the long term.
Less useful than photo management tools, cloud services like
Dropbox and Google Drive can also be helpful. Especially when
copying the photos off of older devices.
But if the cloud is not an option, traditional alternatives such as
an external disk drive, a USB jump drive, or a computer, are your What does removal of the LOWER
only choices. SNAKE RIVER DAMS mean
Unfortunately, the older the device, the more challenging it can for YOUR electric bill?
be to copy the photos off of it. If a device is old enough, you may
need expert assistance.
With all the possible combinations of hardware and software, Although they are in Washington state, the lower
you may need to try a few different approaches to find one that Snake River dams (LSRD) have a direct impact on
works for you. your finances.
If you have access to a Mac, try attaching it to the device with PROJECTION: Removing the four LSRD could
an appropriate cable. All Macs have an app named “Image Capture” mean a 25% or more increase in residential
electricity rates.*
already installed that may recognize the device and offer to move
the images onto the Mac. If you appreciate having affordable, carbon-free
hydropower, give a dam and make a stand. Stand
In that case, the only other thing you will need is enough storage with hydro.
space. I recommend using an external hard drive or a large USB
jump drive to store the images. Image Capture will permit you to *Source: Executive Summary Columbia River System Operations
choose a destination folder for the images it copies. Environmental Impact Statement (oclc.org)
If you have access to a Windows computer, try the File Explorer
or Windows Explorer app to copy the images off of the device.
The point is that mixing and matching device types can work.
Most devices will connect with both Mac and Windows computers.
Without a cloud connection or a computer, the options narrow
sharply. The latest iPhone and iPad models can use a standard USB
drive to move files between them, but most older models do not.
For older iOS devices, consider SanDisk iXpand drives.
Android models are more flexible when moving files, although
moving from Android to iPhone or iPad will require Wi-Fi network-
ing and Apple’s “Move to Android” app from the Google Play Store.
PhotoStick (along with its counterpart PhotoStick Mobile) is a
specialized USB jump drive that will search the storage of the target
device and automatically copy all the images it finds.
This approach makes it very simple to use, but there is
always a chance it will not find all the images. Do not assume
it will work perfectly. You won’t see any error messages if
it skips an image. It will be up to you to confirm your image
collection is complete. Lincoln Electric
I want to leave you with a few words of encouragement amid Cooperative, Inc.
these many options and cautions. Few things are more precious
than family photos. This should be a one-time project. It will take
time and expense to set up your digital shoebox, but once you’ve
completed the setup, you’ll find plenty of benefits. Your photos
will be searchable, backed up automatically, and easy to share via
email and social media.
Perhaps best of all, they will protect your memories for future
generations. MSN

Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades and is currently developing
an educational app. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Want to know more? www.flatheadelectric.com/helphydro