| USB Flash Drives are arguably the handiest computer | | | | to you. They are often found on the back of a |
| storage device ever invented. They are so small they | | | | computer or in front, sometimes behind a little sliding |
| can hang off a key chain or be embedded into an ink | | | | or popup cover - the ports are little rectangles, |
| pen. Yet they can easily hold 2 gigabytes or more of | | | | approximately ¼ x ½ inch. Public |
| data - roughly the equivalent of 1500 floppy disks. | | | | Computers often have a cable with a USB Jack, |
| So where should you buy a Flash Drive? What should | | | | laying next to the computer. |
| you use it for? What size Flash Drive should you | | | | Flash Drives, like all USB devices, may be plugged in |
| buy? What precautions should you take in using a | | | | "hot". This means, than can be plugged into and |
| Flash Drive? These topics and more are covered in | | | | unplugged from the computer while it is running. But |
| this article. | | | | be cautious. It is possible to lose data or damage |
| Flash Drives can be used to back up files created on | | | | your file system, if you plug or unplug your Flash |
| nearly any computer that has a USB port. This is | | | | Drive when the computer is engaged in certain |
| especially useful if you are using a program such as | | | | activities. Luckily, there is a way to be totally safe. |
| Microsoft Word at a public library or a university. Flash | | | | To safely disconnect a Flash Drive, follow these |
| Drives are also useful for ordinary tasks such as | | | | steps: |
| copying files between two computers in your home, | | | | 1. In the System Tray (lower right corner area of |
| or your computer and a friend's computer. While you | | | | your screen), right click on the Safely Remove |
| can also accomplish these tasks using CD or CD | | | | Hardware icon and select "Safely Remove Hardware". |
| rewrite media, flash is often more convenient and | | | | 2. A Safely Remove Hardware window will pop up. If |
| easier to use. | | | | you have only one storage device connected you |
| Flash Drives can also hold large amounts of mp3 or | | | | can simply select it and click the "Stop" button. If you |
| picture files. For example, a 1 GB Flash Drive can hold | | | | have more than one storage device, you may need |
| 16 hours of MP3 music or more than 1000 digital | | | | to double click on the individual devices to figure out |
| photographs (depending on the resolution of the | | | | which one you want to remove, and then hit the |
| photographs). | | | | "OK" button. |
| You can get a great deal on a flash drive by | | | | 3. If the system tells you that it is ok to remove the |
| watching the sale flyers of national computer | | | | Flash Drive, do so, and you are done. |
| discount stores such as Staples, Best Buy, CompUSA, | | | | 4. If the system says the device cannot be stopped, |
| Office Max, and others. Most Sunday newspapers | | | | close out any programs that are using the USB Drive, |
| contain advertisements for these stores, or you can | | | | then try again. |
| go to store Websites, and click on the "Weekly | | | | 5. If you can't get rid of the device busy message, |
| Flyer" link. You will see devices with capacities ranging | | | | then save your work and shut down the computer. |
| from 256 MB to 2 GB. | | | | It is then safe to remove the drive. |
| 256 MB means 256 megabytes and it is about the | | | | You should also be aware that Flash Drives are as |
| smallest capacity flash drive sold. 2 GB means 2 | | | | vulnerable to virus attack as any other storage |
| gigabytes and this is one of the largest capacity flash | | | | device. In fact, a Flash Drive can be particularly |
| drives sold -- although larger sizes will be available | | | | vulnerable to virus attacks because it may be |
| soon. | | | | plugged into multiple computers. Exercise caution in |
| Which size flash drive you buy depends on your | | | | regard to which computers you plug in your drive. On |
| budget and how you plan to use it. If you want to | | | | a positive note, many commercial virus protection |
| store lots of picture files, mp3 files, and other media | | | | packages (Mcafee and Norton for example) can |
| files, then you may want to think about getting the | | | | protect and disinfect Flash Drives. |
| largest drive available. | | | | Here is one final tip about using your Flash Drive. Flash |
| If your budget is limited, and all you want to do is | | | | Drives have a property called "endurance", which |
| exchange a few files between computers or back up | | | | basically means the number of times individual bytes |
| a few word processing files, 256 or 512 MB should be | | | | in the drive can be rewritten. If you are doing a |
| more than sufficient. | | | | project that involves a very large number of read |
| Flash Drives are part of a category of computer | | | | write operations to mass storage it may be best to |
| peripherals called "USB Devices". USB stands for | | | | copy your project from flash drive onto the |
| "Universal Serial Device". Nearly all PCs sold in the last | | | | computer's hard drive, do your work, and then copy |
| 5 years have USB ports. Most computers have four | | | | your project back to the Flash Drive again. |
| or more USB ports. If you don't know where the | | | | So what are you waiting for? Start taking advantage |
| USB ports are on your computer, look in the manual, | | | | of cheap, portable, convenient, reliable data storage. |
| or any computer-savvy person can point them out | | | | You'll be glad you did. |