Optimal Strategies for NAS Storage Management
As someone juggling between an extensive Lightroom library, an almost-full Synology NAS, and a growing collection of digital content, I found myself at a storage crossroads. With nearly 1TB required for my Lightroom library alone, plus the need for an additional 200GB cushion, I had to make some quick yet informed decisions. Luckily, I had the opportunity to consult with Pylar AI, powered by ChatGPT’s 25th Version, September model. Together, we explored multiple options for freeing up the much-needed space without losing anything critical.
Pylar AI applied to third party models
Pylar AI isn’t just a chat-based query resolver. It is a powerhouse operating on ChatGPT’s 25th Version, September model. Unlike standard chat interfaces that respond to basic user prompts, Pylar AI is optimized for a more nuanced and sophisticated interaction. It offers various filters and advanced prompting options, enabling users to direct their questions more precisely and get answers that are not just accurate but also contextually rich. The skill set of Pylar AI extends far beyond mere data retrieval, offering a multifaceted approach to problem-solving, making it a cutting-edge tool in the realm of AI-based customer support and personal assistance.
The Process
Understanding the Storage Landscape
Firstly, we did a deep dive into my existing storage structure. From Masterclass videos to numerous series and even device backups, the digital pile-up was real. The aim was to understand how much each folder is eating up in terms of storage and which ones are negotiable.
[ NAS SPACE USAGE ]
+--------------------------+------------+
| Folders/Series | Size (GB) |
+--------------------------+------------+
| The Rookie | 6.77 |
| House Of The Dragon S1 | 16.1 |
| Friends | 17.39 |
| How I Met Your Mother | 32.36 |
| The Big Bang Theory | 41.16 |
| Homeland | 56.01 |
| Suits | 60.44 |
| Prison Break | 67.68 |
| Courses | 11.25 |
| Masterclass | 31.29 |
| Movies | 31.87 |
| Computers | 87.3 |
| The Office | 165.77 |
| Music | 143.16 |
| CloudSync | 74.41 |
| The Simpsons | 209.75 |
| Series (Total) | 673.44 |
| Available Space | 618.4 |
+--------------------------+------------+
[ COMBINATIONS ]
1) Delete:
- The Rookie (6.77GB)
- House Of The Dragon S1 (16.1GB)
- Friends (17.39GB)
- How I Met Your Mother (32.36GB)
- The Big Bang Theory (41.16GB)
- Homeland (56.01GB)
- Suits (60.44GB)
- Prison Break (67.68GB)
- Courses (11.25GB)
- Masterclass (31.29GB)
- Movies (31.87GB)
- Computers (87.3GB)
Total = 558.42GB + Available Space (618.4GB) = 1176.82GB
2) Delete:
- All Series except for Top 5 and Currently Watching (167.53GB)
- Courses (11.25GB)
- Masterclass (31.29GB)
- Movies (31.87GB)
- Computers (87.3GB)
- Music (143.16GB)
Total = 472.4GB + Available Space (618.4GB) = 1090.8GB
3) Delete:
- The Rookie (6.77GB)
- Friends (17.39GB)
- How I Met Your Mother (32.36GB)
- Prison Break (67.68GB)
- Courses (11.25GB)
- Masterclass (31.29GB)
- Movies (31.87GB)
- Computers (87.3GB)
- Music (143.16GB)
Total = 429.07GB + Available Space (618.4GB) = 1047.47GB
[ TV SERIES STORAGE USAGE ]
The Rookie ..................... 6.77GB
House Of The Dragon ........... 16.1GB
Friends ....................... 17.39GB
How I Met Your Mother ......... 32.36GB
The Big Bang Theory ........... 41.16GB
Homeland ...................... 56.01GB
Suits ......................... 60.44GB
Prison Break .................. 67.68GB
The Office .................... 165.77GB
The Simpsons .................. 209.75GB
Weighing the Options
We went through a meticulous process of outlining the best ways to free up space, discussing the merits and pitfalls of deleting specific content. Should I delete some of the old series? Should I focus on optimizing cloudSync and music files? Each option had its pros and cons.
[ STORAGE OPTIONS TO FREE UP 1,142.7GB (Lightroom + 200GB Extra) ]
Option 1:
+----------------------+-------------+
| The Office | 165.77GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| The Simpsons | 209.75GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Music | 143.16GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Total | 518.68GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
Option 2:
+----------------------+-------------+
| The Office | 165.77GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Prison Break | 67.68GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Music | 143.16GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Masterclass | 31.29GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Courses | 11.25GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| How I Met Your Mother| 32.36GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Total | 451.51GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
Option 3:
+----------------------+-------------+
| The Simpsons | 209.75GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| The Big Bang Theory | 41.16GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Music | 143.16GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Masterclass | 31.29GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Courses | 11.25GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Total | 436.61GB |
+----------------------+-------------+The Ultimate Decision
Pylar AI suggested what seemed like the most efficient option — Option 1. This involved deleting two of the largest series folders to free up around 646GB. The goal was to minimize the number of decisions needed and maximize the space gained, all while not compromising on the content that I frequently use or plan to use shortly.
[ STORAGE OPTIONS TO FREE UP 1,142.7GB (Lightroom + 200GB Extra) ]
Option 1:
+----------------------+-------------+
| The Office | 165.77GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| The Simpsons | 209.75GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Music | 143.16GB |
+----------------------+-------------+
| Total | 518.68GB |
+----------------------+-------------+Immediate Impact
After executing Option 1, I found myself with a total of 1,264.4GB (or approximately 1.26TB) of free storage, exceeding the initial target by 121.7GB. Not only did this make room for my Lightroom library, but it also gave me ample room for any future digital acquisitions.
[ CURRENT STORAGE STATUS AFTER OPTION 1 ]
+------------------------+-------------+
| | |
| Target Space Needed | 1,142.7GB |
+------------------------+-------------+
| | |
| Free Space Available | 1,264.4GB |
+------------------------+-------------+
| | |
| Additional Space | 121.7GB |
+------------------------+-------------+Conclusion
Achieving optimal storage wasn’t just about the bytes and bits; it was also about efficient decision-making. The following table sums up why Option 1 seemed to be the best fit for my unique storage landscape.
[ WHY OPTION 1 MIGHT BE THE BEST ]
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Minimal Decisions | Fewer data categories to consider for deletion. |
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Maximized Storage Gains| Most space freed up among the options. |
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Content Relevance | Removes less frequently accessed or rewatched content. |
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Ease of Re-acquisition | Easy to re-acquire these shows later if needed. |
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Room for New Content | More space for new or currently-watched series. |
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Efficiency | Quicker process due to fewer items to delete. |
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Psychological Ease | Easier mentally to remove fewer items. |
+------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+Teaser for Upcoming Content
As a bonus in the future, we’ll delve into the intriguing concept of “Psychological Ease” — an underexplored yet critical aspect of digital storage management. It’s not just about what makes logical sense; sometimes, what feels easier psychologically can also be a deciding factor.
