It is your prerogative to take a snapshot of your game files if you so desire. I cannot say if it is common practice among the members but I myself have never done so. I have also (so far) never suffered any ill effects from this practice. I've run many different mods over many careers and haven't had any problems so far. If you click on the JSGME "Help" link, it'll explain any uses for the "Snapshot" system.
Welcome abroad, mate.
