Until recently, in order to save a file that you had on your computer, you had to download it onto one of those big, bulky floppy disks. Then you had to find a safe place to store that big, bulky floppy disk. Some place where it wouldn’t get scratched or dented or demagnetized. And if you really wanted to be safe, you had to backup the floppy disk onto another floppy…and find a safe place to store THAT floppy.
And then along came the USB flash drive. These little drives, consisting of a flash memory data storage device and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, are portable, removable and rewritable. Weighing in at only an ounce or two at the most, these guys take up much less space than a floppy and can easily be stored on a keyring, in your pocket or right on your desk.
The best features of these new USB drives are their size and the fact that they have no moving parts. Being small and compact makes them easier to store and transport. And since there are no moving parts involved they can operate at higher speeds and hold more data with better durability and reliability built in. Their storage capacities range from 64 MB on up. And new advances in technology make them better all the time.
These simple USB flash drives consist of just 2 parts – a small printed circuit board, inside a plastic, metal, or rubberized case, and a USB connector. The connector either retracts into the case for protection or is covered with a removable cap. These drives can easily be plugged into any USB port on your computer for instant access to your personal or business files.
The simple design and inexpensive materials allow manufacturers to produce some really great, really cheap USB drives. For less than the price of lunch, you can find some unique flash drives that will allow you to carry your personal files with you at all times. Never leave home without it…and never leave it laying around the office, either.
My personal favorite when it comes to a cheap USB drive? The Emtec Kooky series of drivers! Based on the popular character pens known as Kooky Klickers(TM), each Kooky USB Drive is named, numbered and marked with a holographic sticker to affirm its authenticity. Kooky USB Drives are fun, functional, and make the perfect gift or back-to-school item.
Each Kooky driver, and there are 6 different characters, has 2 GB capacity, a read speed of up to 7 MB/sec and a write speed of up to 4 MB/sec. They’re compatible with all USB 1.1 and 2.0 devices and will work with Windows 98Se, 2000, XP, Me, Vista; Linux; Mac operating systems. Each has a 5 year warranty.
If you’re not into the Kooky characters, try a Hot Dog USB Drive! Or how about a Penguin? Maybe a piece of cake? How about Nascar? Oh! Baseball! And college football! For just a few dollars, you can get a good, cheap USB drive that reflects your own personal style. No more boring black floppy disks for you!
