| The cutting-edge USB data storage devices make | | | | digital work home, the answer is a USB data storage |
| data storage easier and more portable. While the | | | | device. Work can be carried safely and compactly |
| contents of everyone’s computer are unique in | | | | home, worked on and then resaved and brought |
| nature, the need to store, transport and archive data | | | | back to work. |
| is almost universal. Unless you use your computer for | | | | Some hobbies should also be backed up, of course. |
| occasional letter writing, email and marathon games | | | | Any files that you don’t want to lose should be |
| of solitaire, you will need a data control strategy at | | | | placed on removable storage and kept in a safe |
| some point. The first step in planning your strategy is | | | | place. If you have ever lost a hard drive, you may |
| to analyze the way you use your computer. Then | | | | feel the need to back up your programs as well as |
| you can determine what you want to save and | | | | your files. Rebuilding a hard drive is an unpleasant |
| whether to save it on an external drive, DVD or a | | | | task. You can buy a removable hard drive to create |
| USB data storage device. | | | | a copy of your basic set up. This includes your |
| All Work and No Play | | | | programs and the settings that you prefer. This |
| Start with the work you do with your computer. Do | | | | keeps a copy of your programs safe from virus |
| you use it for professional reasons? Do you use it to | | | | infections. |
| keep records for a personal business? Are you | | | | When you have files that need to travel, you should |
| working on the great American novel? Consider | | | | use a USB data storage device. A video project for a |
| anything that needs to be archived; including | | | | birthday party, digitally enhanced photos for a |
| completed projects that need to be saved should be | | | | wedding shower or the latest videos from your |
| backed up. Large projects can go on DVD’s if | | | | favorite family rock band are excellent files to carry |
| you have a burner. They can hold much more than | | | | around on your USB data storage device. It is a |
| CD’s and you can save a little money by storing | | | | temporary way to backup the entertainment as well |
| completed work on record-only DVD’s. Work in | | | | as the best way to transport the life of the party to |
| progress can go onto rewritable DVD’s so that | | | | the party. |
| they can be updated periodically. If you like to bring | | | | |