Best Practice Question... best method of file transfer...to pc hd...?

I import using Lightroom.

Card in a card reader, then import/move to storage HD. I can apply a preset, add keywords and copywrite details automatically during import and, as said above, I can start working on and rating the shots as the files import in the background.

I have tried NX2, Capture One, DXO etc but having been an Adobe user for 20 years+ I find the learning curve greater than any advantage I might gain and I like the folder management in LR. I do quite like DXO's raw processing though and will no doubt give it another go.

I then only use Photoshop to fine tune an image for printing, as I rarely see the need to convert to TIF or PSD and the tripling/quadrupling in file size.