[pcharles]

iPhoto has had this ability ever since you could start up with the option key down and it started asking you to select a library (version 6 or 7?).

We put our library in the shared folder found in the users folder. I use DeJaVu to back it up to an external drive at night. Because iPhoto now keeps everything in the "library" folder any changes you make are saved to the "computer" and not to an individual user.

Although Faces sounds really interesting, and my Wife will really like it, I am more interested in Places and plan to buy a GPS Logger just as soon as I figure out which one will suit my needs best.

[pcharles]

Interestingly I use both.

I use iPhoto with my point and shoot camera, and my wife's camera (Panasonic Lumix) and I use Aperture with my Canon SLR. RAW works OK in iPhoto, but Aperture gives you a lot more flexibility. When you are working with JPEG your options are limited and so you do not really get the most out of Aperture, although that does not mean you cannot use it. It is an incredible application.

As for Lightroom, I tried the original betas and just did not like the workflow. This is entirely a personal preference. I cannot put my finger on exactly what I prefer about Aperture over Lightroom because Technically I imagine they are nearly identical. I like that by using Aperture I get bidirectional integration with the iLife, iWork, and Final Cut suites. I also like the integration with Mobileme, which I use a lot for various things.

[Remiss63]

Would it make any sense at all to use iPhoto for my family pictures and travel snapshots and then use Lightroom for my "serious" photography?

[drwatcher]

I don't know if you have already purchased Lightroom, if not, Aperture is at least as good and less expensive. And, there is a great advantage in using Aperture with iPhoto. Library sharing is seamless.

I manage my photos exactly as you mentioned in your post: iPhoto for the casual stuff and Aperture for my more serious work which I shoot exclusively in RAW format.

Hope this helps.