Hi!
i find i rely mostly on a folder structure. I don't like the idea of relying on some database or catalogue program to keep track of the photos. I work with computers and i've found on many occasions with customers computers that either the program or windows itself screws up and the organisation is lost.
My system (and yes, even i can see the limitations) is
\where\when\event
and then other sub-folders to split up sub sections of the event or trip.
eg \Canberra\Easter2008\friends wedding\
with in this are folders such as 'formal photos', 'reception' and 'keepers'
This system doesn't allow me to group by 'flowers' or kids' etc. I do however, like to be able to look through the photos by time or event, such as my holiday oct 2007. Also, this means that any photo has a dir structure that describes where and when it was taken as well as the event / group of people.
I also have a dir for those select few photos that i think turned out really well. these however are all duplicates of photos out of the main file structure.
This probably sounds more complicated than it really is
Retrieval is aided by Irfanview. It has this nice feature (which isn't on in a default install IIRC) that allows a 'right-click' option 'browse with irfanview'. This gives you a quick thumbnail view that lets me quickly browse the folders looking for the one i'm after.
As far as backup, i regularly clone my photo directory onto an external usb hdd which gets stored away from the computer in case of theft. I also am about to buy another so i can leave it at work.
The next problem i have is the size of the directory. I've been shooting in RAW+ and even after deleting ones that are obviously bad, or just messing around, the size of the directories is climbing rapidly. DVD's aren't very practical when you have to split up your collection on to 10 or more dvd's. I guess this is only going to get worse.
Looking after a large collection is a lot of work, but worth it in the long run i think. Its also a matter of what works for you.
Mark