Import a mixed photo folder into digiKam with RAW files, videos, tags, and existing metadata. Rate and tag a few items, then move or reconnect the library and check whether the catalog still finds them. Export metadata and compare the original files with the managed copies.
A photo manager is useful when years of organization remain recoverable. Keep an independent backup of originals and catalog, and test a restore to another machine before migrating a large archive.
Akousa