Raw photograph files are too big to keep on my hard drive, so I archive them to DVD every so often. I make three copies of each disc and distribute two of them to family or friends. This provides protection from computer failure and site disaster.
To do this, I copy files to a new directory until it reaches DVD capacity, around 4.7 Gb. Then I use Brasero to create an ISO, copy the ISO to the backup computer (that has a working DVD burner) and make the discs. I also use CD Label Gen and a script to make a cover that has a picture from the archive set and a list of the contents. Here’s the script:
#!/bin/sh
# convert img.jpeg cover.eps
cdlabelgen \
--category "Family Photos" \
--subcategory "25 October - 12 December 2010" \
--cover-image cover.eps \
--cover-image-scaleratio 0 \
--slim-case \
--no-date \
--items-from-file items.txt \
--output-file photos-label.ps
echo ghostscript photos-label.ps
The contents are listed in a text file called items.txt. It looks like this:
{#M}2010 Oct 25 Test video
{#M} Nov 9 Fall colors
{#M} 13 "
{#M} 15 Japanese Maple in Fog
{#M} 17 Fallen Japanese Maple leaves
{#M} 24 Birthday cupcakes
{#M} 25 First snow; pies; Thanksgiving
{#M} Dec 3 Camera test shots; fireplace
The funny M’s at the start of each line signal cdlabelgen to use a monospaced font so the dates and descriptions line up.
I put the script and text file and output postscript in the root of the DVD, so if I need to make another copy, the label is already there.