I store nothing in my user folder. I personally don't use the "user folder", I have only programs on my drive. I like my OS drive to be lean and fast.

So yes, you "need" more space, but you also operate in a way that I wouldn't, using your OS drive as a storage drive. But the way we each use our equipment is an individual choice. I have habits to keep my drives fast that I've been doing since pre windows 98 (don't remember what was before then) and I'm just funny that way.

My storage folders are large also. I just would never consider keeping them on the OS drive. That's why I don't understand a video editor needing a TB drive for their OS, it doesn't make sense if 90% is going to be empty. Even my temp DVDA folders are on another drive. I assumed everyone else operates the way I do. I was wrong.

Now that you've explained the user folder and stuff, I realize many people probably use the Microsoft folder to store stuff. When I help friends with computers I always set them up to store things (photos, etc) on an external drive so that if they lose their OS their important files are safe. I personally store all things in two places, one internal and backed up on one external. Beyond that it's just wasted space. I still have things I've been carrying around since 1995.

I can lose my OS drive at anytime and I'll lose nothing except possibly bookmarks on my browser. and even those I backup from time to time.

Yes now that windows 7 is here I really should revamp the way I handle these items. The ability to remap the libraries to multiple locations and drives is a very nice feature and keeps them just as accessible as though they were in the documents or pictures folders. Client files I do keep outside the user area these are mostly pictures of family and stuff like that.

I have had terrible experience with external drives (usually have WD or Seagate HDD in them) and so that is why I moved to using internal racks that allow me to swap out assets at whim and take drives off-site for safety very easily. I am considering a NAS for on-site back-up after reading a recent article in EventDV magazine.

I assemble my own externals...I buy cases like this: Newegg.com - Rosewill RX81-MP-SC- BLK 3.5" SATA to USB & 1394 a/b & eSATA External Enclosure (Black) or this Newegg.com - Rosewill RX81-MP-SC- SLV 3.5" SATA to USB & 1394 a/b & eSATA External Enclosure (Silver) and put what I want in them.

I have to save everything "by hand" so to speak by not using windows folders, but I've been doing it so long I'm used to it. I save everything twice (in two locations.)

I personally do not use automated backup, virus protection, or anything that can interfere with my workstation.

By the way those cases above are a bit "industrial", but they have so many connections and run so cool I don't care. Very functional.

My externals are as fast as my internals cause they are all esata. I also have the option if needed to run external raid with my particular card, so I lose nothing by using externals. I've looked into the storage things for multiple drives, etc., NAS etc but it is so complicated, and opens up a whole other host of potential issues. With 2tb drives that will run in those cases I can't see the need for an expensive NAS solution and the added software, but that is just me. My PC case has built in estata and I have an extra external esata card, so I can run like 8 external esata drives. I only run 4 externals now, but it is all I need.

I have to admit that I've always wanted to try a nice big NAS type case, it does sound cool. But every time I've looked into it I just gave up, seemed too much for me in several ways. If you do that Bryan, let us know how it works out, I'd be interested.

"With 2tb drives that will run in those cases . . ."

Really? Their description says "up to 1.5 TB"

OK, with 1.5 TB drives I still don't see the need for expensive and cumbersome network backup solutions. I do run a 2tb drive in a case that only supports 1tb and it works fine, but it is not the above case, it is an Accomodata. A rather cheap case that has proven to be pretty darn effective.