Most but not all us a date system. I will explain my system which works very well for me. Also I use Aperture III, which may have different terminology. I create a Library for each of the years I have photos. Then I create a sub folder for each shooting event. That will have, first a date then title, year + month + day (space) title. The date is all one number, such as todays date will look like: 100802. The computer will list the events by date, first by year, then by month then by day. It keeps everything in date sequence. Then if I have different activities happening in that event I set up a sub folder for that. The different activities don't have to be dated. They all fall under the shooting event which is already dated. But a shooting event might occur over several days. In that case I just add only the day the activity was shot "behind" it. It goes behind the activity because my computer is set up to sequence everything by date. If I put a number in front of the activity the computer will grab it and file it who knows where.
Example for a 2010 Library:
100802 Atlanta Rodeo, Two Day Event
Mom Barrel Racing, 02
Daughter Barrel Racing, 02
Clowns, 02
Mom Barrel Racing, 03
Daughter Barrel Racing, 03
Bull Riding, 03
100804A New Shooting Event
100804B New shooting Event
Note, if I'm shooting two different events on the same date then I add the letter A behind the first date, no space, and the letter B behind the second one. The computer will order the same dates in alphabetical order. Also be sure to include enough information in the titles to have meaning at a latter date. is First thing to do is when you get the program you want to use is to learn how the program does it's organizing. You have to work within those bounds. Then sit down with pencil and paper and wright down how you want it organized and keep it next to the computer. Because next week you may not remember what you did or how you did it. Use the KISS method (Keep it simple stupid). Most of these programs often provide specialized folders to organize your pictures in a multitude of different ways. But you FIRST have to create a good basic method of organizing your files. I can find any photo I need any where in the system.
Your system should not crash with those two programs. I don't know how old your computer is but it should be capable of multi-tasking and should run both programs at the same time. Check on the multi-tasking ability first before trying it.
Keep all your "playing around photos" and use them to work out your organizing procedure.
