computer storage of photos

[jayemcee]

I have stored my old pics in ' my pictures'. Can I move them to a discrete file? and if so please, how do I do it?
I have Microsoft Explorer 7 with no dedicated photo package.

[koster]

I don't know what you mean by "a discrete file", but yes, you can move your photos to whichever folder you choose.

Just open My Computer or Windows Explorer and drag the photos to the folder of your choice.

[jayemcee]

Thank you Koster for your prompt reply; however I'm rather a greenhorn so if you want to quit now, I wouldn't be surprised. There are no individual files in 'my computer ' so guess I need to go into 'my folders'? After opening a suitable folder in Word, yes?
Then, big question, how do I drag the photos from one screen to another? is it like copying and pasting between screens? Keeping the mouse button depressed?
Sorry to be so thick.

[stevie21]

Do you want to move some pictures from being saved in one place (folder) to another or type some text in Word and then insert a picture to go with it?

[Machecoul]

When you open My Pictures is it full of hundreds of individual pictures? If yes - why not leave them there but put them in some newly created folders.

i.e With My Pictures open - right click somewhere on the screen - and select new from the menu - follow the arrow to the right - choose folder and then name it - e.g. Thailand Dec05 . You can then select all your pictures of Thailand (if you hold down CTRL and click them one at a time you can select as many as you want) Then right click and choose cut - openn up your new folder - right click inside it - and click paste. Your pictures will have ben moved here.

There are various ways of carrying out the above process - if you no another way of moving files use that.

WARNING - practice with a few less important photos first!!

[jayemcee]

Thank you Stevie21 and Machecoul for your response. I had thought that a folder would be elsewhere. Silly me. However I have opened a file with a definitive selection of photos (made millions of copies of them in ' my pictures ' somehow, which I had to delete ) which should make viewing easier, ie. by not having to wade through everything. Guess it should also save space? Many thanks.
Could I be cheeky and ask a (just one) further question. To back them up onto CD, which kind of CD do I need to purchase?

[The Mack]

any will do

[jayemcee]

Thank you the Mack for that answer on CDs.
Sorry, promise this will be my last question on this subject. Have managed to make several separate folders of photos but even though I am definately CUTTING and pasting I am making oodles( 10 of each photo) of copies in ' my pictures' of the snaps I am moving. What have I screwed up???

[Machecoul]

I think you must have been pasting pictures by clicking in the main part of the My Pictures Folder. Can't think of anything else.

Now you've mastered the long way of doing it - you can also move them by clicking on a picture - keeping the left button on the mouse held down and move the picture to the folder you want it to go in. (You can also do this if you have selected several pictures - they all move together)

Try it - it is much quicker than cutting and pasting. But works in just the same way.

CD-Rs are cheap and can only be used once - will hold a large number of pictures which you will need to copy across in one go.
CD-RWs are more expensive but can be added to on several visits to the computer.

You won't be too upset if you ruin a few CD-Rs. (you can buy bundels of 50 or 100 from most major Supermarkets / online / etc.

[Machecoul]

Might be an idea to download something like Picassa2 - from here http://picasa.google.co.uk/intl/en/#utm_source =en-all-more&utm_campaign=en-pic&utm_medium=et

This is free and will let you easily see what pictures you have. Just follow the onscreen instructions. You will enjoy using it and it will make it easier to copy pictures to CD for you (Make a Gift Cd option)

Good Luck

[jayemcee]

Than you Machecoul, since I learnt to open a new folder in pictures I now understand what you were saying about dragging into a discrete file. What a lot I have learned tonight. Thanks to you all for your help.
Don't think I will go back to my quill just yet, not until I come to the next stumbling block.
All I have to do now is to convince myself that I really do want to exchange my SLR for a Digi!!!!!

[Machecoul]

What about a Digital SLR - some good ones around!

[jayemcee]

Had thought of it but over the years I have got rather fed up of lugging around camera, extra lens, spare films batteries etc. Thought a compact digi would fit in the handbag and I would have no extra luggage.
What I am looking for is a tinyish camera with a lens equal to an SLR 28mm - 110(ish) focus! I am dithering a bit I must admit.

[Machecoul]

You could have a browse through here:

http://www.reviewcentre.com/products19.html

This site is quite informative.

[jayemcee]

Thank you Machecoul for your advice, I have had a quick scan but will certainly give it further attention. When I've finished the ironing!
Anyway thank you very much for your assistance.