| Data, or information stored on your computer, can | | | | an average CD-R or CD-RW. |
| either be held on fixed disk drives inside the | | | | Ideal for… |
| computer or on removable media such as CD's that | | | | • Backing up |
| can be inserted and removed. Removable media can | | | | • Storing archival data |
| be used to transfer files between computers or to | | | | Enhanced CD |
| backup the data already existing on fixed disk drives. | | | | Enhanced CD (E-CD) is an audio CD with CD-ROM |
| There are three types of removable media: Magnetic, | | | | data added. CD-ROM data is added in the space not |
| Optical and Flash. | | | | taken by audio. Recording artists can use this to |
| Magnetic Storage | | | | include videos, lyrics, interviews or promo material. |
| Magnetic Storage: Hard disks, floppy disks and digital | | | | The E-CD can be played on a CD player but to view |
| audiotape are examples of Magnetic storage. They | | | | additional material you need access to a |
| operate through a read/write head, which creates | | | | multimedia-capable device, such as a CD-i player, |
| and reads magnetic impressions on the disk. | | | | DVD-ROM, or CD-ROM drive. |
| The downside… | | | | Bridge Disks |
| • The magnetic impression only lasts for around | | | | A CD-Bridge disc holds extra information on a |
| five years | | | | CD-ROM XA track. The disc can be played on either |
| • The capacity of most removable magnetic disks | | | | a CD-i player attached to a television, or a CD-ROM |
| is too low for many types of files | | | | XA drive attached to a computer. Software such as |
| Optical storage | | | | Photo or a Karaoke CD player can provide lots of fun |
| Optical Storage holds information in digital form that is | | | | with the Bridge Disk. |
| written and read by a laser. All CD and DVD devices | | | | DVD (Digital Versatile Disk): More than movies |
| are examples of this. | | | | Although DVD's have become more associated with |
| The upside… | | | | video, they can also hold audio and computer data; |
| • Increased capacity: one Optical disc can store | | | | hence their name Digital Versatile Disk. Like the CD, a |
| the same amount of data as over 500 diskettes | | | | DVD is a 120-mm by 1.2mm thick disk. However the |
| • Durability: they last up to seven times as long as | | | | DVD has more tracks than a CD so holds far more |
| Magnetic forms of storage | | | | data. CD's have an unvarying storage capacity of |
| Flash Memory (Solid-State Removable Storage) | | | | 750MB, whereas DVD's store up to 17GB. |
| Solid-state memory (or Flash memory) is a | | | | A range of acronyms is also used to distinguish |
| high-performance plug-and-play storage device that | | | | between the different types and capabilities of |
| contains no moving parts. It is found in digital | | | | DVD's available. These include DVD-ROM, DVD-R, |
| cameras, video game consoles and digital audio | | | | DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-Audio. |
| players. You can use it in the form of USB Flash | | | | DVD-ROM |
| Drives to transfer or backup data. Flash memory is | | | | DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only Memory) |
| small, light and fast. | | | | is similar to a movie DVD, but is designed for |
| Backup | | | | computers. The DVD-ROM stores data in the same |
| Backup is the copying of files onto portable media so | | | | way that the CD-ROM does and is used in the |
| that if your computer crashes, data won’t be | | | | DVD-ROM drive of your PC. |
| lost in oblivion. Backup is usually routine in large | | | | The upside… |
| businesses but is often neglected by individual users. | | | | • Larger storage space – hold more data than |
| Some suggest backing up data files and duplicating | | | | a CD |
| your hard drive weekly. It takes around 45 minutes | | | | • Can be filled with nearly everything; video, music |
| to backup a 500-megabyte hard disk. | | | | or computer specific data |
| There are two options- Local or Internet backup. The | | | | • A base speed of 1.32 megabytes/sec |
| following is a list of Local backup options. Most of | | | | The downside… |
| these also double as devices used to transfer data | | | | • Many older computers do not have a DVD-Rom |
| between computers. | | | | drive installed |
| • Diskettes | | | | • Can be recorded on only once |
| • Zip Drives | | | | DVD-Audio |
| • CD's | | | | DVD-Audio (DVD-A) is designed for audio data and |
| • DVD's | | | | high-quality music. Its storage capacity is seven times |
| • Flash Drive | | | | that of a CD and provides at least twice the sound |
| Internet Backup | | | | quality. Like the Enhanced CD, DVD-A can contain |
| Another backup option is sending your files to an | | | | other data, providing the listener with extra |
| Internet site for safekeeping. If your computer | | | | information such as lyrics or images. DVD-A is |
| crashes you can simply download them from the site. | | | | predicted by many to replace the standard audio CD |
| Here are a few examples of such sites: | | | | in the music industry. |
| Backup Defender- | | | | DVD-R |
| My Backup- | | | | Like the CD-R, the DVD-R (Digital Versatile |
| N.B. The author does not recommend or endorse any | | | | Disc-Recordable) can be recorded on once. |
| of the above service providers. | | | | The upside… |
| Diskettes and Zip Drives | | | | • A DVD-R can contain an assortment of |
| Diskette | | | | information; video, text, audio and computer data |
| A Diskette is a 3.5-inch removable magnetic disk. The | | | | • A DVD-R can be played on your normal DVD |
| older version, the floppy disk, is 5.25 inches square | | | | video player but remember, if you have additional |
| and flexible. Copying to a diskette is quick and | | | | data not of the same format e.g. video and audio |
| economical. | | | | together, you will need a DVD-ROM or Multimedia |
| Ideal for… | | | | player of some kind |
| • Those who use their PC for personal finance - | | | | • A DVD-R is read at the same speed as |
| the diskette enables you to retrieve checkbook | | | | commercially made DVD's |
| balances etc. | | | | DVD-RW and DVD+RW |
| • Projects that need to be continuously backed | | | | Similar to the CD-RW, a DVD-RW or DVD+RW |
| up such as a film script, as it is a cheap alternative. | | | | (Digital Versatile Disc – Rewritable) can be |
| Not so good for… | | | | recorded on, rewritten and erased multiple times. |
| • Some newer computer and laptop models that | | | | Other than this they are identical to the DVD-R. |
| do not have a diskette or floppy drive installed. | | | | DVD minus and plus are just different versions with |
| • Large amounts of data as diskettes don’t | | | | the same functionality. |
| have a great storage capacity | | | | The Future of CD/DVD Storage |
| Zip Drives | | | | The majority of the technology industry predicts that |
| A Zip drive is a small, square shaped magnetic disk | | | | soon DVD’s, with their larger storage capacity |
| that is ideal for backing up your PC. The | | | | and faster access time, will replace CD’s. |
| 100-megabyte size holds the equivalent of 70 floppy | | | | DVD-ROM drives are likely to be sold with new |
| diskettes. They also come in a 250-megabyte size | | | | computer systems in the way that CD-ROM drives |
| Ideal for… | | | | once were. However we are always on the cusp of |
| • Duplicating your entire disc drive | | | | newer technologies, such as the HD-ROM. |
| • Archiving | | | | HD-ROM (High Density-Read Only Memory) |
| • Storing graphic images or other large files | | | | HD-ROM uses a more precise particle beam to write |
| • Transferring large files | | | | data. This enables information to be written on more |
| • Keeping certain data separate from files on your | | | | durable materials such as metal so storage is virtually |
| hard disk | | | | permanent. HD-ROM has hundreds of times the |
| The downside… | | | | storage capacity of the CD-ROM. |
| • They seem to be a fleeting technology - most | | | | Flash Drives |
| computers do not have a Zip Disc drive installed and | | | | A Flash drive is a small portable memory stick that |
| opinion varies on how long they will be around for. | | | | holds anywhere from 1Mb to 1GB of data. It is |
| Compact Disks | | | | surprisingly lightweight and is often worn around the |
| There are different standards of CD's that have | | | | neck or carried as a funky key chain. They are |
| different capabilities. Just to confuse us they are | | | | compatible with any PC that has USB port and with |
| recognized by seemingly similar acronyms; CD-R, | | | | Mac OS 9 and OS X, Windows 2000 and XP or Linux |
| CD-RW, CD+RW, DDCD and E-CD. | | | | 2.4.17. |
| CD-R | | | | The upside… |
| CD-R (Compact Disc - Recordable) is a CD that can | | | | • Durable - more so than CD's or DVD's |
| be recorded to only once. It usually holds 74 minutes | | | | • No need for batteries or a separate power |
| of audio or 650 MB of data, although newer versions | | | | source |
| hold up to 80 minutes of audio (700 MB of data). If | | | | • Convenient - your computer should recognize |
| your PC has CD burning software and a compatible | | | | the additional drive as soon as you insert it into the |
| CD-R or CD-RW drive, the CD-R can be used in the | | | | USB port |
| same way as a diskette. However unlike a diskette it | | | | • Ideal for backup |
| cannot be deleted or overwritten. Look out for | | | | • Larger storage capacity then many other |
| CD-Rs that have an additional protective layer which | | | | portable devices |
| make them less susceptible to damage caused | | | | • More portable than ZIP drives, CD's and |
| through scratching. | | | | Diskettes |
| Ideal for… | | | | • Quick transfer rate (approx. 1Mb/sec) |
| • Making music CD's | | | | • Edit, rewrite, delete as many times as desired |
| • Storing photos | | | | • Help desk personnel can use Flash Drives as a |
| • Storing permanent data | | | | portable toolkit that includes system updates and |
| Not so good for… | | | | recovery tools. |
| • Transferring files as they can only be used once | | | | The downside… |
| CD-RW/CD+RW | | | | • More expensive than other portable devices |
| A CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable) and CD+RW | | | | • Viruses - The portability and compatibility of the |
| can be recorded onto as many times as desired. Data | | | | Flash Drive increases the chance of spreading viruses. |
| can be overwritten and erased. Other than this, the | | | | In many cases viruses carried by a Flash Drive will |
| CD-RW is identical to the CD-R. If it wasn't for their | | | | not be detected as most antivirus software is |
| finite durability CD-RW’s and CD+RW’s | | | | reactive and only recognizes known viruses |
| could be reused endlessly. | | | | • Theft - a Flash Drive can make it easier for data |
| Ideal for… | | | | to be stolen from an unlocked PC |
| • Transferring files | | | | • Little Security - the size and weight of the Flash |
| • Holding temporary data | | | | drive makes it very easy to misplace. Most have little |
| Not so good for… | | | | or no security features and data is accessed easily. |
| • Holding important permanent files-in case they | | | | Some Flash Drives do have built in security; either a |
| are accidentally deleted | | | | password or in some cases a finger print system - |
| Double Density CD (DDCD) | | | | but this comes at a price. |
| This disc has a much greater storage capacity than | | | | |