Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive in Software

Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive in Software http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r14176095 en Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:10:27 EDT Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:10:27 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14197863 harryhoudini : Corsair has a nice 2 gig one which is water proof and has 10 year warrnty. got to love it. I got mine today but I went the route of 256.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14197863 Tue, 23 Aug 2005 01:00:09 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14197849 Hel :

said by Mele20

:

I'm not in a work environment, but I sure wouldn't want some friend coming over and doing that while I was in the other room or whatever. Good, I suppose, that I have the original bios for this 8300 Dimension. It probably doesn't support booting from a thumbdrive. I think I'll stick with floppy drives. :)

If you can't trust your friends alone with your computer, why on earth are they your friends? *grin* /smartalek
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Hel ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14197849 Tue, 23 Aug 2005 00:56:41 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14197160 Mele20 :

said by haertig

:

One downside to thumbdrives in a corporate environment is their potential use to steal data. Plug it in, take what you want, drop it in your pocket, and be gone. Since many systems these days can actually boot from a thumbdrive, most security the PC owner has put into place can be bypassed unless the owner has taken into account the potential of booting from a foreign thumbdrive or CD-ROM. Boot from there, and you have "root" or "administrator" on the box ... do what you want.

I'm not in a work environment, but I sure wouldn't want some friend coming over and doing that while I was in the other room or whatever. Good, I suppose, that I have the original bios for this 8300 Dimension. It probably doesn't support booting from a thumbdrive. I think I'll stick with floppy drives. :)
--
Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14197160 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:20:42 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14195107 illJazz : I was joking lol :)
I don't care about having admin access to the work network. What for anyway. I get home and have my own comp with all admin access I could ever want. That work network must be chock full of boring stuff anyway :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14195107 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 18:42:08 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14194445 haertig :

said by illJazz

:

Hmmmm. Interesting. I was trying to get around the guest account at work. Will try tomorrow :D

So much for my intent to make the world a safer place by giving folks a heads up on potential exploits. Oh well, I guess it should already be a well know fact that if you don't physically control access to your computer, you have no security at all. :huh:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14194445 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 17:26:02 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14193858 illJazz : Hmmmm. Interesting. I was trying to get around the guest account at work. Will try tomorrow :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14193858 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:17:36 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14192287 haertig : One downside to thumbdrives in a corporate environment is their potential use to steal data. Plug it in, take what you want, drop it in your pocket, and be gone. Since many systems these days can actually boot from a thumbdrive, most security the PC owner has put into place can be bypassed unless the owner has taken into account the potential of booting from a foreign thumbdrive or CD-ROM. Boot from there, and you have "root" or "administrator" on the box ... do what you want.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14192287 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 12:41:47 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14192048 EGeezer : Nice article -

In my world;

I go to a meeting.

The presenter does the dog and pony thing. Afterwards the usual crowd of people gather around the podium to ask questions, exchange ideas etc.

Those of us with USB dongles whip them out and request a copy of the Powerpoint.

"Wait a second while I whip out my dongle" :D

Presenter uploads from his/her PC to the dongle.

I now have immediate possession and use of the handout. Same goes with sample programs, utilities etc. The rest wait until the presenter has time to post or email presentation...

It works both ways - If I'm giving a pitch or providing a program/utility, It's on my dongle.

If I'm at a customer, I can upload logs, screenshots etc to dongle for review, documentation, analysis etc. At a friend's house? Well, the ol' dongle is there so I can upload/download vacation pictures. With my tools folder, can install/run HJT, Spybot, Stinger, etc offline without having to tote CDs or connect to internet if there's a connection issue. My documentation is always with me.

Fits in pocket or(usually) hangs around my neck under my shirt. Less prone to damage than a CD.

Another nice thing about them, Flash drives aren't mandatory. If you don't like to use them or have no use for them, they're totally optional. They plug in - or not. :D

Quite handy. :)
--
Every Good Electrical Engineer Zeroes Each Register]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14192048 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 12:08:51 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14190542 illJazz : Thanks :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14190542 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 06:55:40 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14190523 jabarnut :

said by illJazz

:

Does anyone know a good site where flash drives are reviewed?

Like you. I always like to find actual independent comparison reviews of a product.
Haven't had much luck when it comes to Flash Drives though. (Although if you find a specific Drive you like, there are always places like epinions of even Newegg itself to see actual customer reviews of that one drive).

I did manage to find one site with a comparison of some drives though.
Here is the actual comparison of ten drives on the last page:
»arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware···5.ars/12

And the entire article on Flash Drives in general:
»arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware···05.ars/1

Of the Drives they reviewed, I only own the Cruzer Titanium, and the Kingston Data Traveler, both of which I like.
I find the Cruzer Titanium can be picky with certain USB Ports though (I think primarily due to power issues...inserting it slowly and straight always seems to work though).

They don't review other models I also have and love though such as the Sandisk Micros and Minis, and My Fujifilm drives that are older but also work great.

For me, the speed issue is no real biggie....they're all fast.
It's more a matter of reliability, warranty, and the design, size, and capacity you find most useful. (For example, other silly things to consider are how easy is it to lose the cap or the drive itself)

After some research, I also found it interesting that two or the contacts on USB are longer than the others and are designed to touch first...so slow, straight, and firm is important for proper contact sometimes when inserting certain fussy Drives into the port. :uhh:

Some Drives, I've bought on eBay incredibly cheap after watching several auctions at once.
Ok- shut up jabar.....as usual, you've rambled on way too long. :p
--
I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14190523 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 06:42:50 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14190399 illJazz : Meh.. I don't know if I got a good deal when I bought my 512MB flash drive at this store in town for 99 Swiss Francs. According to XE.com, 99 Swiss Francs equal 77.7227 US Dollars. For 512MB? Damn. Shoulda waited until I get back to the States and then bought a 1GB or even 2GB drive for only slightly more money from NewEgg. Who knows, I might still do that if I see the need. The cool thing about the drive I bought is that it's Sony's turbo version of their MicroVault flash drives. It reads with 28MB/sec and writes with up to 18MB/sec. Not bad at all :)

Still, that speed makes a difference of a few seconds in reality and probably simply wasn't worth the money I paid. Does anyone know a good site where flash drives are reviewed? I know CNET.com has some reviews up and I'll check that out, but I always like to read reviews that are not from CNET.com because I never know how much I can trust CNET with their huge, bloated site..
--
DL all LIVE8 Concerts!
IMHO. As always.
Opera!
DonationCoder.com - Excellent Software Discussion/Review Sit]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14190399 Mon, 22 Aug 2005 05:10:27 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14185524 computerman2 : I may invest in usb flashdrive later in the future, it would be nice to store my music videos on when I got too many on the hard drive, and other stuff. Since those won't fit on CD-R or RW at all. My floppy drive is currently sandwiched between my 2 hard drives, so I'm thinking it will be a pain in the rear if I ever have to replace that, thankfully I don't--been using same floppy drive since 2000, and it still reads and works fine so far.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14185524 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 13:17:40 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184550 fegul : I own a 1 GB Geeksquad flash drive a few weeks ago, and I dont know how I lived without it. I need it because I do spyware/virus removal almost every day.

I also have a portable audio player, as well as Maxthon, portable FF, Filezilla, Abiword, and will probably add some more stuff later on.
--
|Networking Help|My Blog|]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184550 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 10:21:14 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184529 illJazz : »www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi···Size=100

Check the link out if you think you might want to get a USB flash drive in the near future :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184529 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 10:14:44 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184453 Andrew J : The big thing now is a 1-2GB 2.0 thumbdrive used on a notebook. Drag that DivX movie to the thumb drive and use it as a super highspeed hard drive that uses almost no power. This does help with runtime and reduce heat from not running a movie off the HDD. But the LCD is still a huge drain on the battery.
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Best Team.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184453 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 09:55:28 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184379 Cousin Dave : I just ordered one last night(Lexar JumpDrive Lightning),so I'm glad I stumbled across this thread.:)
Keep the tips coming.
--
Spread the Panic,gimme some moe. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184379 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 09:36:23 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184354 illJazz :

said by Vamp

:

Another tip...

If you have a USB thumbdrive you can use a "Portable Firefox" Which is optimized for usb drives. »johnhaller.com/jh/mozilla/portab···firefox/

Which I think leaves no footprints on the computer your working with, but im not 100% sure. Very useful if you work on other peoples computers and hate using their browser.

I can't believe I just read this whole thread. Oh boy. Anyway.. I bought me my first flash drive about a week ago. It's a Sony MicroVault 512MB turbo drive. It's got above-average read/write speeds and Sony offers a bunch of pretty cool, free apps with the drive at the MicroVault product site. I'm guessing the apps might actually even work on any thumb drive.. not just on Sony's MicroVaults.

I'm really in love with the endless value of the thumb-drive. It's just so damn easy that it can't possibly get any simpler. I too was one of the people who asked themselves "WTF took them so long!?" when these came out, but I do know the reason now. It took them so long because flash memory technology was not mature enough to be so widely available and widely used in just about every portable device in existence today. Now we've gotten so far that the next big thing I'm waiting for are flash-based computer hard drives, which means virtually non-existent boot times for whatever OS you're using and no moving parts :)

Anyway, I've been disappointed by the portable-apps thing. I do see the great value in it and was really excited to check it out, but both times I tried to make use of exactly the benefits flash-based apps are supposed to offer, I was let down. At work, I can't connect to the web when using Portable Firefox, probably because the admin has the network locked down hard with set rules and doesn't let any new apps connect :(. At university in the library, I wasn't even able to start portable Firefox. The system told me that no apps may be started from unauthorized drives/network locations or something like that...

While I love the idea of the portable app benefit, I simply haven't been able to make use of it yet :(
--
DL all LIVE8 Concerts!
IMHO. As always.
Opera!
DonationCoder.com - Excellent Software Discussion/Review Sit]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184354 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 09:29:32 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184147 Vamp : Another tip...

If you have a USB thumbdrive you can use a "Portable Firefox" Which is optimized for usb drives. »johnhaller.com/jh/mozilla/portab···firefox/

Which I think leaves no footprints on the computer your working with, but im not 100% sure. Very useful if you work on other peoples computers and hate using their browser.
--
Firefox is better than your browser! | foamy | I'm psycho]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14184147 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 08:10:51 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183984 GamerGeek :

said by Mele20

said by GamerGeek

:

I bought a Creative MuVo TXFM 1gig MP3 player earlier this year, mainly for listening to music and audiobooks. I made a folder on it that contains a few of the more popular spyware removal tools, and it's come in VERY handy in the past couple months.

I've had family members ask me to fix their machines, co-workers, even my boss came and asked me to remove the CWS junk from his rig. Everyone just gapes at me when they see that all I brought was my stupid little MP3 player. I plug it into the USB port, run the programs and 30 minutes or so later I'm done. I plug my headphones back in, crank up some AC/DC and jet!

I'm like some geeky spyware-fighting superhero... :D:D

Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Ozzy, Van Halen (DL Roth, of course)... they're all here. I even still listen to some Mott the Hoople now and then, and THAT'S going back a ways.;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183984 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 06:10:29 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183800 Vchat20 : in regards to the person asking "why would i need one?" why you may not "need" one, heres a few upsides which far outweight the few cons imho:

1. holds a helluvalot more than a standard floppy.
2. lasts a helluvalot longer than floppies.
3. very durable (sent mine through the wash and dry cycle more times than i can count. still works great. try doing that with a floppu :p)
4. overall it PWNS! floppies :D

on a side note: i just came back from tonights cleveland indians game and soeone in front of me had this ancient sony mavica digital camera. why i say its ancient is because it took floppies for storage :D. anyhow, she kept swapping floppies throughout the whole game. i figured she had to have went through atleast a dozen tonight.
--
Alec Trebek: Well, all you had to do was write down a number. And you wrote... Threeve. A combination of three and five. Simply stunning. And you wagered... Texas with a dollar sign in front of it. I'm speechless.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183800 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 03:53:13 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183543 Mele20 :

said by GamerGeek

Now that's an idea! Gotta be a good one if you like AC/DC. ;) I had to get out one of their CDs. I'm listening to Hard as a Rock blaring so loud someone may knock on my door! :D
Edit: I assume you have some Black Sabbath also? Can't have one without the other! Long live Hard Rock!!!
--
Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183543 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 02:35:51 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183471 RemyL75 : I have a 512MB MP3 player from samsung that I use as a thumb drive and a 60GB usb drive that actually pits in my back pocket. I hate having to carry around a lot of software CDs to repair PCs, so when thumbdrives came out I thanked the heavens. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14183471 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 02:18:21 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181566 haertig :

said by GamerGeek

:

I plug my headphones back in, crank up some AC/DC and jet!

Cool! I was listening to these guys back in college. I won't tell you how many multiple-decades ago that was. I thought they'd be relegated to recorded playback at sporting events and gigs in elevators by now.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181566 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 20:23:50 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181534 haertig : These USB thumbdrives are invaluable if you end up being the informal tech support for every Tom, Dick, and Harry amongst your friends. I've got spyware cleanup tools, virus cleaners, Windows patches, neat programs (Firefox, Thunderbird, etc.) on mine. Don't leave home without it. Never fails you'll end up at some friend's house who asks "Can you take a quick look at my computer? It's acting wierd!"

Other than impromptu computer repairs and work/home file transfers, I agree - not a whole lot of uses for a thumbdrive that I can conjure up.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181534 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 20:19:30 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181512 GamerGeek : I bought a Creative MuVo TXFM 1gig MP3 player earlier this year, mainly for listening to music and audiobooks. I made a folder on it that contains a few of the more popular spyware removal tools, and it's come in VERY handy in the past couple months.

I've had family members ask me to fix their machines, co-workers, even my boss came and asked me to remove the CWS junk from his rig. Everyone just gapes at me when they see that all I brought was my stupid little MP3 player. I plug it into the USB port, run the programs and 30 minutes or so later I'm done. I plug my headphones back in, crank up some AC/DC and jet!

I'm like some geeky spyware-fighting superhero... :D:D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181512 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 20:14:23 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181391 Mele20 : You hit the nail on the head I think! I'm a homebody. I have no interest in using other computers or running about with stuff from my computer on a portable drive. Just like I hate to have to sleep in any bed other than my own. Guaranteed poor night's sleep. :D But I do see great value if you must work outside your home and need to transfer files from work to home or vice versa.
--
Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181391 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:57:13 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181352 natedj : When I first got my usb drive...I thought "what took them so long to come up with some thing like this" within months of getting my fist usb drive , everybody in my office was toting one.
I've saved tons of CD's with this thing.
I can comfortably use any pc and know that all my Fav. websites, settings emails pictures and programs that I'm will to share is always with me.
If you're a home-body, this gadget is not for you.
But if you don't have one, be sure to buy a CD/DVD burner and a floppy drive along with CD and floppy media....lots and lots of media.
--
Good judgement comes with experience...Experience comes after bad judgements]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181352 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:51:19 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181091 Mele20 : I still don't see the point in them for many people. I don't use the floppy drive except rarely. I have no reason to want to carry data around in my pocket. (I must be strange, huh? ;) ). I do understand that those who transfer data from work to home or school to home, etc. would find this much more useful than a floppy drive. My point though is that I don't know anyone who has one of these except the Dell field tech and he has reasons to have one because of his work. My friends don't see the point in them either other than just as a way to spend money if you have it to spend just because it might prove to be a fun gadget. So, to me this is just a gadget that might be fun to use. I'd prefer to get a fingerprint reader with my money, and would have one, except the APC one doesn't work with Fx.
--
Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14181091 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:14:30 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14180405 boog : I'm good at forgetting to take things out of my pockets, I have washed both my thumb drive and a compact flash card.

The both still work just fine!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14180405 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 17:18:59 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14180269 jabarnut : As far as losing one, I've been pretty lucky so far.

I do however have lousy luck when it comes to watches.
[att=1]

:D
--
I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.

Where's my Watch???

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14180269 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 16:53:46 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14180238 JTM1051 :

said by Mele20

:

I read the article. I still don't see why most users would need this.

The majority of PC users I know use USB flash drives, hence the purpose of the article is provide some tips for those that use USB flash drives.

..replaced already due to high rusting of the ones currently used by Dell. I will have it replaced again in six months probably due to the rusting. I just also replaced a floppy drive on my older Dell. That Dell had a well made floppy drive that didn't rust for over 5 years.

Doubt you have to worry about a USB flash drive rusting.
I would think that the cost of a USB flash drive would be less than a floppy drive plus cost of disks to provide the same amount of storage as a single USB flash drive.

... if you find that the easiest way to put digital photos on your computer. ...

I believe you're confusing USB Flash Card Reader with USB flash drive. Again, the majority of PC users I know that use USB flash drives use them as a convenient portable storage device for their data files.

I have seen USB flash drives in Walmart and they are all at least double the price you mention and most are higher than that.

I guess the the price you pay to live in Paradise (HI). ;)

Can you boot from a flash drive? You still need a floppy drive for that I would think.

If someone has a older PC that cannot boot from a CD optical drive, then yes, they would need a floppy drive. My Dell 4550 I bought Dec-02 can boot from a CD optical drive, and I've never used the 3.5 floppy drive except when I first received the Dell just to make sure it worked.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14180238 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 16:46:43 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179676 Kabanos : Don't want to lose your USB drive? Buy the SwissMemory USB! :D
»www.swissknivesexpress.com/swissmemory.html
--
non nova, sed nove

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179676 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 14:56:59 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179556 DFWDraco76 : I "lost" mine for a few weeks too... but it turned up, I had just accidentally tossed it in the wrong drawer after work one day. So they are definitely easy to misplace!!!
--
my website: »www.utdallas.edu/~bal023000]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179556 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 14:33:58 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179139 PhoenixAZ :

said by howie

said by Mele20

:

That was confusing as I thought you were talking about USB ports at first. I don't have a USB Flash drive and see no reason to have one. Why would I want one? What would I need it for?

said by Keizer

said by howie

said by Mele20

:

That was confusing as I thought you were talking about USB ports at first. I don't have a USB Flash drive and see no reason to have one. Why would I want one? What would I need it for?

I agree with Howie! I too use a USB CF card reader to transfer my photos.

Just look how quick I was able to grab the progress shot of my 73 Camaro! ;)

Keizer

said by Mele20

:

Yeah...guess I don't need one. :) I don't have a digital camera.

I hope you guys know that hes talking about USB thumb drives, has nothing to do with digital cameras, and USB CF card readers/MemoryStick/etc.

said by Mele20

:

Yeah...guess I don't need one. :) I don't have a digital camera. I'm disabled so I don't need to transfer files between home and work. I can transfer files between my two real computers and my virtual and real ones without a USB drive. I can see where though in certain instances they would be very useful. For me though, I can think of many better ways to spend my money. (I need more RAM ....1024 is not enough to run a host box and two virtual PCs at the same time :( and that's going to be $150 for two 512 sticks).

I find USB Thumb drives to be easier to use than burning CDs, or using floppies. But I think the best way to transfer files, a network of course :) I lost my 1GB thumbdrive at school, so I find those small things easy to lose.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179139 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 13:21:18 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179119 NyQuil Kid : No, you can boot from a USB key as well - in fact your Dell 8300 supports that (so long as it has the latest BIOS) - there are numerous tools to make a USB key bootable.

Floppy disk is going the way of the dinosaur - simple as that.

[8F] The NyQuil Kid
--
[8F] The NyQuil Kid comes into town not looking for trouble... n00bz gang up, but he ain't seein' double,... pulls and draws, his deagles two... n00bz litter the ground you know it's true.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14179119 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 13:16:30 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178893 Kabanos : »[Info Only] MS USB Flash Drive Manager Released!

»www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta···ylang=en

:)
--
non nova, sed nove

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178893 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 12:38:42 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178876 jabarnut : Thanks for the Links guys....already had the portablefreeware link bookmarked but I'm intrigued by the "damnsmalllinux" link.
Pretty cool! :)
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178876 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 12:36:08 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178737 jp0469 : »www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?···eID=1676

Here's another similar article but with more info on booting from a USB key. I have one that boots DOS and auto runs Ghost 2003 for backups and another one that boots Damn Small Linux. »www.damnsmalllinux.org/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178737 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 12:14:13 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178305 fegul : Don't forget to look through this site for more portable apps!
»www.portablefreeware.com/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14178305 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 10:54:09 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14177503 jabarnut :

said by Mele20

:

One other thing? Can you boot from a flash drive? You still need a floppy drive for that I would think.

Yes...some USB Thumb Drives are indeed "bootable".

And to continue the original subject, I LOVE these things.
In fact, it's become an obsession. Can't help it but I seemed to have started a bit of a collection. (I presently have 9 different models and sizes).

I use them for the many reasons mentioned above and then some....even carry my own Browser around and a lot of utilities to name a few already mentioned.

Like howie

said, when I think about the fact that I can fit the equivalent of 356 Floppies on my 512mb Drive alone, it's truly amazing (Not to mention they are SOOOO much faster reading and writing data than a floppy).

Anyway, I've rambled too long as usual. Suffice to say that USB Flash drives are one of my ALL TIME favorite "geek toys".

Thanks for the links JTM1051

!

On to an off topic observation. Wow! I see you got rid of the number after "howie" Howie! :D (I like it!)
Don't mind me, I'm a little slow sometimes. ;)
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14177503 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 06:59:27 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14177424 Mele20 : I read the article. I still don't see why most users would need this. When I bought this Dell Dimension 8300 in 11/2003, I made sure to order a floppy drive. That drive has had to be replaced already due to high rusting of the ones currently used by Dell. I will have it replaced again in six months probably due to the rusting. I just also replaced a floppy drive on my older Dell. That Dell had a well made floppy drive that didn't rust for over 5 years.

I see the usefulness of the USB Flash drives if you transfer files between home and work and if you find that the easiest way to put digital photos on your computer. I am not interested in digital cameras so that is irrelevant me. I like the camera I have just fine but I do understand that lots of folks like digital cameras and this might be useful for them.

I have seen USB flash drives in Walmart and they are all at least double the price you mention and most are higher than that.

One other thing? Can you boot from a flash drive? You still need a floppy drive for that I would think.
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Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14177424 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 06:06:33 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14177335 JTM1051 : Before USB Flash/Thumb drives I used Zip disks for years to transfer files between work and home.

The majority of new desktops and notebooks don't come with floppy drives due to the popularity of USB Flash/Thumb drives. Most brands of 128 MB USB Flash/Thumb drives are $19.99.

By your questions/comments does not appear that you read through the article.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14177335 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 04:54:17 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176740 DFWDraco76 : I use one to transfer files between work, school, & home. Most things I can just keep on my Unix account at school, except that I can't get to them from work unless I have it on my website (they block ssh & ftp access at work).
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my website: »www.utdallas.edu/~bal023000]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176740 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 01:05:56 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176455 Mele20 : Yeah...guess I don't need one. :) I don't have a digital camera. I'm disabled so I don't need to transfer files between home and work. I can transfer files between my two real computers and my virtual and real ones without a USB drive. I can see where though in certain instances they would be very useful. For me though, I can think of many better ways to spend my money. (I need more RAM ....1024 is not enough to run a host box and two virtual PCs at the same time :( and that's going to be $150 for two 512 sticks).
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Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176455 Sat, 20 Aug 2005 00:11:10 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176235 Keizer :

said by howie

said by Mele20

:

That was confusing as I thought you were talking about USB ports at first. I don't have a USB Flash drive and see no reason to have one. Why would I want one? What would I need it for?

I agree with Howie! I too use a USB CF card reader to transfer my photos.

Just look how quick I was able to grab the progress shot of my 73 Camaro! ;)

Keizer

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176235 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 23:40:06 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176152 howie : I can fit 736-3.5" floppies worth of data on my 1GB CF card. These are truly matchbook sized wonders and I couldn't live without them! :)
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"I'm as sure as I can be... without any, you know, proof!" - Adrian Monk]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176152 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 23:26:37 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176098 heels_fan : We use them at work to carry our software "tools"

Anti-spyware apps, Drivers all types of NICs, USB drivers for modems, diag tools, various troubleshooting docs, anti-virus installation files, ect ect, and an occasional Mp3
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The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176098 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 23:17:35 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176095 vukodlak75 : I have 2 1GB "thumb" drives. I keep a bunch of security apps and pc utilites on one. I use this when I need to fix family pc's.

The other I use to transfer data between pc's at home and work, much faster and easier than always burning a cd then erasing and burning again.
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Never living, always surviving.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176095 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 23:17:25 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176088 lilhurricane : Thanks for the tips, JTM1051

:)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176088 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 23:16:37 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176075 howie :

said by Mele20

:

That was confusing as I thought you were talking about USB ports at first. I don't have a USB Flash drive and see no reason to have one. Why would I want one? What would I need it for?

You wouldn't want one and don't need one. ;)

I find them extremely useful for transferring pictures from my digital camera to my PC. Plugging the camera into the PC works but I find it awkward and slower than just popping my CF card into the USB2 reader. I also find it extremely useful for transferring files/programs between PC's.
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"I'm as sure as I can be... without any, you know, proof!" - Adrian Monk]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14176075 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 23:13:11 EDT Re: [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14175948 Mele20 : That was confusing as I thought you were talking about USB ports at first. I don't have a USB Flash drive and see no reason to have one. Why would I want one? What would I need it for? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14175948 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 22:52:27 EDT [Tip] Make the most of your USB drive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14171370 JTM1051 : Make the most of your USB drive

Has five steps (mini articles) on using USB drives.

1. Run apps from your USB drive.
2. Software for your USB drive
3. Back up your PC to USB
4. Get e-mail on your USB drive
5. Manage passwords with your USB drive

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For managing passwords I use KeePass Password Safe on a USB drive.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14171370 Fri, 19 Aug 2005 12:55:19 EDT