What's up with USB Flash Drives
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What's the big deal with USB Flash Drives?
In basic terms, they work independently of your computer's registry and drivers. That means you can create a "mini-you" Plug-and-Play computer that you can take with you and always feel at home and be productive no matter where you call your desktop, "Home".
Price Drops
2.0 Version of My Very First USB Flash Drive is 1GB now
PNY P-FD1GBATT2-FS 1GB Attache USB 2.0 Flash Drive
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/09/2009) 
"Well, if it Did More Stuff ..."
Cool-looking Drives
Victorinox SwissMemory 512 MB, Translucent Ruby
Amazon Price: $31.35 (as of 07/09/2009)
KingMax 8GB Super Stick =NEW Microsoft Vista Boost Certified= USB Drive. **Washer and Dryer SAFE!
In 2008, over 9,000 flash drives were lost in the wash.
That's a whole lotta data getting pretty soppy.
If you leave combs and change in your pockets on a weekly basis, this could be the drive for you.
How do you store it? Ummm... get creative.">
Amazon Price: $14.92 (as of 07/09/2009)
Funkeys Lotus 1 GB USB Flash Drive Plus Bonus Code
A panda head on your desk and the rest looks like it's climbing into your computer.
Somehow seems wrong.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
"I've Had it with Gadgets!"
to your ever-growing collection of technophenalia:
Of course, there's all of those graphic, networking and web authoring apps too, so you can continue earning $5,000 a day on the internet while working from the PC they provide for you in your luxury hotel room in Hawaii (you ARE a progressive entrepeneur, aren't you?)
"Okay, Keep Talking"
When You're Looking for An Edge
Ways to Work
Here are two books that can help you focus and one that is great for learning how to overcome working yourself into the ground (which is always a possibility when you want to keep that job you just landed).
Hire Me, Inc.: Package Yourself to Get Your Dream Job
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/09/2009)
Hire Me, Inc. Interviews : That Get Offers
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 07/09/2009)
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/09/2009)
"I Just Like to Have Fun"
Then here's your Portable Entertainment Center.
You can still transfer all of those Free MP3's
from Amazon onto your Flash Drive and plug it into your computer at work (or laptop when you're at your fave PC cafe') and listen to your favorite tunes. Don't forget your headphones :)Or install an eReader and download a book or two.
Or maybe your boss doesn't have a problem with you playing video games during your lunch break but you're sick and tired of MS Pinball (I know I gave it up after 5 million points). More and more games are being developed for USB drives ...that means you never have to mess up the company computer with a download and installation.
"What Do I Need to Get Going?"
A few connections never hurts
Once you've decided to purchase a Flash Drive, if you're hard core and still running Windows 98, you'll need a special driver for your PC to run it.
You'll also need a driver if you're running a Mac older than OS 9.
These kinds of drivers are usually included when you purchase a Flash drive but if they aren't, you can usually download them from the manufacturer's website.
Sometimes the USB ports are on the back of a desktop computer. If this is true for you then you may want to invest a few bucks in an extension cable to save yourself from fishing around behind your desktop.
If you're already drowning in USB Gadget City, you might want to consider getting an external hub.
There's a Squidoo lens in town that discusses that right here.
Or even if you don't have any USB connectivity at all, you can buy a PCI add-in card that hosts multiple ports.
Attachments
Cables To Go - 26686 - 3M (9.8ft) USB A Male to A Female Extension Cable (White)
A USB Extension cable
Amazon Price: $9.13 (as of 07/09/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
D-Link DUB-H4 High Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub
Here's an External Hub
Amazon Price: $25.98 (as of 07/09/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 5-Port PCI Card
This is a PCI card
Amazon Price: $27.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
"Is That It?"
Stupid is as...
Decide on the kind of compatibility you'll need and storage size along with what kind of peripherals, security (if you plan on working from PC cafe's, the library, etc., you DEFINITELY want firewall and anti-virus protection!), and functionality you need (or want) from your drive and then do your homework.
How much a drive costs can also be a hint as to the read/write speed but you still need to be careful about over-priced drives.
Here's something else to consider: Now that these drives have been around for awhile, there are concerns that they have a finite life-span.
That means you can only write (or run apps) to it so many times before they stop working... and your data isn't recoverable (yeah - :gulp!:). The numbers range from 10,000 - 100,000 times depending on the drive and whose blogs you believe.
More fun... I've had a nice looking Transcend 2 GB drive for a couple of years now. The case around the electrical connectors is made of plastic and there are now signs of wear on the corners.
This thing could easily start to literally come apart at the seams in another year or so as the corner rubs against the input connector every time I insert or remove it.
Happy Flashing!
Popular USB Flash Drives
These drives got good reviews at Amazon
Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB Flash Drive - 1GB (95138)
Capacity: 1GB (other capacities available); Platform: Windows, Mac; Warranty: Limited Lifetime; Data Transfer Rate: None Listed; Password Protection: "Security Feature to Protect Sensitive Data"
Amazon Price: $14.14 (as of 07/09/2009)
Corsair Flash Voyager 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFUSB2.0-16GB
With super fast transfer rates, surprising impact protection, and a 10 year warranty, this is a great drive for those taking their time to implement their plans for world domination.
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
16GB A-DATA Flash Drive USB 2.0 Retractable USB connector with ReadyBoost, High Speed 120X and Life Time Warranty in Factory Sealed Retail Package
Amazon Price: $33.75 (as of 07/09/2009)
Different Drives
BUSLink DL-60-U2 External USB 2.0 60 GB Ultra-Slim Hard Drive
OK, this is what we've come to - you can pick up an external 60 GB Plug-and-Play drive for around 100 bucks that weighs about 1 pound. ONE POUND! That's lighter than most handweights you'll find in a step-aerobics class.
Amazon Price: $65.56 (as of 07/09/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Coby MP305-4G MP3 Player with 4 GB Flash Memory FM Radio, USB Drive and LCD - Black
USB storage that's an MP3 player.
Good price for 4 gigs.
When I can find one that will tell me what to cook for dinner, I'm there.
Amazon Price: $30.02 (as of 07/09/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Other Places to Check Out
USB for You and Me
- AMBER Alert Child ID Kit
- AMBER Alert Portal. The AMBER Alert system operates in all 50 states to assist law enforcement and alerting communities in the case of child abduction.
- mimobot
Mimobot has provided a new outlet for artists which has yielded unusually painted drives with different storage capacities.
Mimoco 4GB C-3PO Star Wars Series 3 MIMOBOT USB Flash Drive
I love the Star Wars series.- USB - 2.0, port, Hi-Speed, Wireless, OTG - Everything USB
- A USB port connects more than computers and peripherals. It has the power to connect you with a new world of PC experiences. Everything USB.
- Sony's MicroVault Click Excellence drives are Bill and Ted approved - Engadget
- Engadget is a great place to snoop around and find the latest and greatest things going on with USB drives.
- Dunhill - As the Bulldog Barks
- A Dunhill flash drive?
Yep.
Stainless steel and all of the detail you'd expect from Dunhill now in a 1GB drive key fob.
At $350 (currently sold out!)... don't lose this one in the wash cycle. - Pretty Easy to Go Green
- Did you really think that no one is thinking about their carbon footprint in USB-land?
Earth Drive is here and ready to meet your green concerns.
Check it out at their website:- 1 - 8 GB capacities.
- Waterproof, shockproof and dust proof casing.
- A portion of the sales goes towards planting trees.
- Swarovski
While they do their best work in figurines and jewelry, their crystals can do to a flash drive what few others can match.
Philips Swarovski Active Crystals " Lock Out " USB Memory Key
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