thumb drives (was Re: [AT] computer problems

[Larry D. Goss]

Hey, Mike, there's a published standard for librarians that you would
probably find interesting.  It covers all the magnetic and optical media
including things that we lowly consumers can only dream about being able
to do in the future --all the way up to quad level recording for DVD's.
It gives all the do's and don'ts for handling, marking, storing, etc,
and gives the recording standards. Among other things it says to never,
NEVER, mark directly on a CD or DVD disk with anything.  Always use
preprinted labels.  Once you see the mechanical structure of the disks,
you can understand why.    If there's interest, I'll look up the URL and
post it for you all.  It's around 50 pages long.

Larry

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike Sloane
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 5:32 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: OT: thumb drives (was Re: [AT] computer problems

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
> 


-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
mikesloane at verizon.net
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, 
and there is some evidence that they can't read them either. -Gore Vidal

(1925- )


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