| CD burners were hailed as one of the
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| | connection, use the plastic cap that came
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| biggest advances in home-computing
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| | with the drive; many companies include a
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| technology several years ago, but now
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| | couple of spares in case you misplace
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| they are primarily used for recording
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| | them. You should also write your name and
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| music. While PC users once used 70- or
| |
| | contact information on the drive so that,
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| 80-MB discs to backup data, the trend has
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| | if lost, the finder will know how to
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| shifted to the larger, easier,
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| | contact you for its safe return.
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| almost-infinitely-rewritable flash drive.
| |
| | WHAT ABOUT VIRUSES?
|
| WHAT IS IT?
| |
| | When using your flash drive with any
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| A flash drive is a small device that
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| | computer, you should ensure that your
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| connects to your computer's USB port.
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| | anti-virus program includes this drive in
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| It's also called a memory stick or flash
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| | its scans. If you are trying to download
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| device. It can store any type of data you
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| | directly to the flash drive, check your
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| want, from installation files to the
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| | anti-virus preferences to ensure that it
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| novel you've been working on since high
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| | is scanning downloads as they transfer
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| school. Data transfers can take as little
| |
| | onto your computer. Treat the flash drive
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| as two or three seconds, depending on the
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| | as you would your computer's "regular"
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| amount of data and the capabilities of
| |
| | hard drive and it should be safe.
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| your computer. The size of each drive can
| |
| | WHY SHOULD I SWITCH FROM CDS?
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| range from 32 MB to 8 GB (a maximum that
| |
| | There are several very good reasons to
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| is sure to increase with technological
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| | buy a flash drive: the best is that you
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| advances), giving you much more storage
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| | can keep the CD burner for other
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| space and flexibility than CD-R/W discs.
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| | projects, or as a backup in case you
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| Flash drives come as separate unites that
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| | decide that you don't like the
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| can be purchased almost anywhere
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| | flash-drive option.
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| computers or electronics are sold. Some
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| | Other reasons include:
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| companies have also integrated them into
| |
| | -Portability. Flash drives allow you to
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| MP3 players and other electronic devices
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| | import data and files into computers that
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| for added convenience. The flash drives
| |
| | are not connected to the Internet. You
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| recommended here, however, are the
| |
| | can also switch back and forth between
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| "standalone" types.
| |
| | computers with CD burners and those
|
| HOW DOES IT WORK?
| |
| | without them, something that you could
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| The flash drive is inserted in any
| |
| | not do in the past unless you had a large
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| available USB port on your computer.
| |
| | stack of floppy disks.
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| Newer Windows operating systems will
| |
| | -Memory. With larger drives, you are
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| automatically detect and install any
| |
| | getting more memory than a CD or floppy
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| drivers necessary to make the device
| |
| | disk. The largest flash drives will give
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| work. Users running older OS versions
| |
| | you several gigabytes', which no CD-R can
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| might have to download software from the
| |
| | do at this point.
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| drive maker's Web site, but this only
| |
| | -Speed. Depending on your computer's age
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| takes a few moments.
| |
| | and condition, you can transfer data
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| Once the unit has been detected, you can
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| | faster than you can even initialize your
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| begin storing and retrieving data. It is
| |
| | CD-burning software.
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| very similar to your computer's hard
| |
| | -Simplicity. In many cases, flash drives
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| drive in functionality, but is much
| |
| | are plug-and-play devices. You do not
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| smaller and infinitely portable. You can
| |
| | need any special technical knowledge or
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| store any type of data, from song files
| |
| | training to use them correctly.
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| to software, and access or overwrite it
| |
| | WHERE CAN I GET ONE?
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| any time you want.
| |
| | Any office-supply store will carry them,
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| When you want to remove the device, eject
| |
| | as will computer and electronics stores.
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| it through the "safely eject hardware"
| |
| | A Web search will give you plenty of
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| icon. You can now remove the flash drive
| |
| | options and good prices if you comparison
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| and take it anywhere that you want to go.
| |
| | shop.
|
| HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME?
| |
| | WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
|
| Depending on where you live and shop,
| |
| | -If you are transferring data from one
|
| smaller flash drives can cost as little
| |
| | computer to another, you must have the
|
| as nine dollars, or less than a spindle
| |
| | same programs installed on both
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| of CD-R discs. The largest can be a few
| |
| | computers. The files themselves can be
|
| hundred dollars, but remember that you
| |
| | easily moved with a flash drive, but it
|
| are getting several gigabytes' worth of
| |
| | does not do you any good if both (or all)
|
| storage space. That's probably at least
| |
| | computers do not have the programs
|
| one-fourth of your main hard drive. You
| |
| | required to access that data. The good
|
| can use two or three flash drives to back
| |
| | news is that you can use the flash drive
|
| up your entire computer system, including
| |
| | to transfer installation files for the
|
| operating-system files, irreplaceable
| |
| | programs if it is allowed in the
|
| documents, and system preferences.
| |
| | software's licensing agreement.
|
| HOW SECURE IS MY DATA?
| |
| | -You should always put the plastic cap
|
| Thoughts of security risks tend to keep
| |
| | back on the "port end" of the flash drive
|
| people from considering a flash drive,
| |
| | when it is not plugged into the computer.
|
| but there is no good reason to worry
| |
| | Dust, moisture and other elements will
|
| about it if you take proper steps to
| |
| | get into the drive and possibly ruin it.
|
| prevent data theft, loss or destruction.
| |
| | Because this drive was not a cheap
|
| Many flash drives come with programs that
| |
| | investment, you should do everything you
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| allow you to set passwords and lock
| |
| | can to protect it.
|
| files. You can download this sort of
| |
| | -You should know what version of USB your
|
| software if it does not come with your
| |
| | computer is using before you purchase, or
|
| drive, or you can use the
| |
| | try to use, a flash drive. You can find
|
| password-protection features in your
| |
| | this information in the Hardware
|
| programs. For example: if you do not want
| |
| | Information section of your computer. If
|
| anyone to access your MS Word document,
| |
| | you are running an older version of USB
|
| you can use its password-protect option
| |
| | (i.e. something below 2.0), you should
|
| to ensure that nobody can read it without
| |
| | check the flash drive's packaging before
|
| your personal password. You can also use
| |
| | you buy to ensure compatibility. Most
|
| a zipping utility with its
| |
| | drives will work with older USB versions,
|
| password-protect feature to keep groups
| |
| | but be sure before you fork over your
|
| of similar files secure, not to mention
| |
| | hard-earned money: some stores will not
|
| easy for you to find.
| |
| | refund or exchange your purchase.
|
| The best line of defense against unwanted
| |
| | -The flash drive does not replace your CD
|
| viewing or use of your data is to keep an
| |
| | burner, but it will virtually eliminate
|
| eye on your flash drive. They are small,
| |
| | the need for your floppy drive. You might
|
| which is good for portability reasons. It
| |
| | still occasionally find software drivers
|
| is bad, especially if the drives are
| |
| | on floppy disks, but most companies have
|
| attached to key chains or lanyards,
| |
| | switched to CD-ROMs. You should keep the
|
| because many people have the bad habit of
| |
| | floppy drive around as long as it is
|
| lying them down randomly and forgetting
| |
| | functional, but do not be surprised if
|
| their locations. To prevent this, find a
| |
| | you rarely use it.
|
| safe place to keep your drive, such as in
| |
| | -Read the instructions that come with the
|
| your purse or front pocket, and do not
| |
| | flash drive so that you will know how to
|
| put it down until you are in your home.
| |
| | care for it. Remember: it is a
|
| If you are concerned about debris or
| |
| | highly-portable hard drive, so some sort
|
| pocket lint infiltrating the USB
| |
| | of maintenance is required.
|
