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

[Mike Sloane]

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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