| USB is an acronym that stands for Universal Standard | | | | a small printed circuit board encased either in sturdy |
| Bus, a standard port which can be used with any | | | | plastic or metal; the latter makes flash drives even |
| computer to connect a number of computer | | | | more hard-wearing. A removable cap protects the |
| accessories. USB flash drive is a compact USB flash | | | | USB connected which is the protruded part in the |
| memory that acts like a portable hard drive, letting | | | | USB fitted to the proper USB port on the computer. |
| the user store and transport huge quantities of | | | | USB drives may either be connected directly and/or |
| computer data better than disks. Nowadays, USB | | | | may come with a think plug designed for use with a |
| flash drives, depending on the kind, can be used to | | | | standard USB port. |
| hold vast amounts of information and are made to | | | | USB flash drives do not need an external power |
| be small enough to be easily carried around by the | | | | source or a battery for it to function and are |
| users. One slips easily into the pocket, may be used | | | | powered by a USB computer connection. Hence, data |
| as a pendant to be hung around the neck or even as | | | | accessibility is only possible if the flash drive is |
| a keychain. | | | | connected to a computer. |
| As of 2006, there are USB flash drives that can carry | | | | First invented in 1988 as a floppy drive replacement, |
| as much as 16 gigabytes and may be used with most | | | | the first flash drives were made to store data |
| computers as long as the operating system you use | | | | ranging in size from 8 to 64 megabytes which were |
| has the driver that supports both USB mass storage | | | | quite expensive then. Asian manufacturers soon |
| plus the file system used on the various information | | | | followed suit manufacturing flash drives which can |
| stored in it. The needed drivers to make the USB | | | | hold as much as 256 megabytes at cheaper prices. |
| flash drive work comes when the device is bought | | | | Although initially conceived for data sharing, flash |
| and is very easy to install in the computer. | | | | drives are becoming more and more utilitarian in |
| Pen drives, chip sticks, thumb drives or USB keys are | | | | nature, its uses only limited by the users. |
| other terms given to USB flash drives and consist of | | | | |