QUOTE
Any pruning needs to (absolutely only should) be accomplished before any moving is undertaken?
Exactly,
any and all changes/deletions/editing/naming/etc. should
only be done in iPhoto
before even thinking about moving the files to an external device for later retrieval. Move the whole/complete/intact "iPhoto Library" folder/directory/thang, all at once, totally, and completely, in toto ( not as pieces or parts ).
By the way, I'll be unavailable for the next month or two, be sure and let me know how this move works, I figure by then, you'll have all the 'kinks' worked out!
And some of us are still interested in being adopted, so we can get in line for your 'hand-me-downs'!