Photo organisation - an interim goal

The ultimate goal is to have all photos that need to be kept in named (subject) files, and to have deleted all "unnecessary" photos. Vague, isn't it? ... as noted earlier, I've started, and the big project is starting to seem more possible.

A week ago I couldn't decide whether to start importing photos via Bridge, and then using Bridge to label these (and older) photos, or to keep doing it via whatever's-on-the-computer. Still haven't decided about making any change; first off, it might be an idea to find out just what IS on the computer.

I'm getting more comfortable with Bridge, via a bit of labelling of recent files - but am still wondering whether this labelling is actually going anywhere. Is it just a way of "knowing" about the photo, in years to come - sort of like writing everyone's names on the back, or the place where it was taken? Or will it help with sorting in subjects?

Ignorance notwithstanding, I've formulated an interim goal -- break down the task into small parts, so that it doesn't seem so overwhelming. So, Phase 1 will deal with the photos I need for my course, and these can be divided into:

-pix from exhibitions (maybe with subfiles of type of show, art or quilt or whatever);
-pix of things happening at college (eg lectures, results of screenprinting);

-pix of my ongoing projects; 

-pix of finished projects; 

-pix of other book arts

I'll have reached my goal when all files since Oct 2010 are purged of these photos - that is, when they have been moved (via Windows?) to subject folders. What's left will probably be family pix (easy enough to file those) and pix taken round town (file by place name?).

Although there's a subject structure emerging from my recent bout of labelling, this will develop once the larger folders, eg finished projects, get looked at in detail and subfolders made. (Reminder to self: Keep It Simple - !)

It does take a long time to get organised -  setting up a workable system doesn't happen all at once - you have to figure out what's best for your actual needs. That specificity doesn't come built in to a piece of software ... or rather, you have to be very familiar with the software to make it work the way you need it to.