OT: thumb drives (was Re: [AT] computer problems

[David Bruce]

I am using a 160 gb drive that is hooked to home network by ethernet (it 
can also be attached to an individual computer by USB 2.0.  The nice 
thing about this solution is that the files on that drive can be seen by 
all computers on the network (I'm using the NTFS file system so I'm 
limited to XP systems).  I also use a DVD writer to make backups either 
on cd media or dvd media in the case of digital photos.  I'm sure this 
isn't the most frugal system but it works for me.  I haven't tried the 
pen drives but I may try one in the future.

David

Mike Sloane wrote:

> Thumb drives are great for "sneakernet" file transfers, but data I have 
> seen shows that they have very poor reliability in terms of long term 
> storage - almost as bad as floppies. If you you have valuable files you 
> must not lose, trust your archives to high quality CD-R or DVD-R media, 
> or public backup sites. Good quality optical media will last damn near 
> forever if handled properly, and the cost is very low - under $1/disc 
> for the best - and you can get decent drives that will do both CD-R and 
> double sided DVD-R for under $100.
> 
> Mike
> 
> George Willer wrote:
> 
>> Cecil,
>>
>> I just received my new thumb drive yesterday and played with it a 
>> little. It's an amazing device!  They call it a thumb because of its' 
>> size.  It plugs into the slot on the back of your computer and becomes 
>> another drive. Why this is important (among other reasons) is that you 
>> can get one to copy all your files to and then remove it... and even 
>> carry it on your key chain. Now your backups are safe.
>>
>> My son Joe introduced me to them when he was here for Christmas.  He 
>> showed my his that he says carries all the files for his universities 
>> web site, all the information for the radio station he manages, and 
>> all his personal files from several computers.  Just plug it in and go.
>>
>> I've been moving hundreds of files to it from my PC and then plugging 
>> it in to my new laptop.  INCREDIBLE!
>>
>> I just got a small one... 256 meg, and it only cost delivered about $80.
>>
>> George Willer
>>
> 
>