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Craig Crossman National Newspaper Computer Columnist Click here to see the index of Craig's columns. |
"WORLD'S SMALLEST DRIVE" FITS IN YOUR POCKETNormal computer memory retains its information only as long as the power stays on. This is why you must save memory contents to a storage device such as a hard drive. The hard disk drive in your computer is magnetic so it retains its data without the need for power. Once data is recorded onto the hard drive, you can power down with everything saved. Many of today's consumer electronic products use flash memory. Flash memory unlike regular computer memory doesn't forget data when the power goes off. One of the first to use flash memory was the digital camera. Digital cameras use computer memory instead of film to hold their images. Most of them use flash memory to retain the images so that in the event that your camera's batteries die, you won't lose the images already taken. Now a company has put Flash memory technology into what it bills as being the "World's Smallest Drive." Using its built in clip or ring, the Flash USB Drive literally clips into a shirt pocket or can be attached to a key chain . The included neck strap lets you wear it around your neck to make a techno fashion statement. About half the length of a pen and about twice as thick, the silver finished Flash USB Drive weighs in at a little over an ounce. JMTek wants you to think of it's little device as a hard drive without the moving parts that requires no cable, batteries nor any software. JMTek does include a CD containing additional flash memory management software that lets you check memory status and perform special formatting. To use the Flash USB Drive, you simply plug it directly into any available USB port. If the USB port is located at an inaccessible spot, the included USB cable should make its attachment easier. The computer will immediately identify the Flash USB Drive as a logical device to be accessed in the same manner as any other drive. The Flash USB Drive sports a red and green LED. Green indicates the drive is properly connected and has power. The flashing red LED indicates data being read or written to the drive. The write protect switch affords additional security against accidental erasure. At first glance, you might dismiss this device as a cute gimmick but consider that although most computers have floppy disk drives, the capacity of a floppy disk is woefully too small and not all computers have larger capacity Zip nor CD-RW drives. Also consider that most modern computers do have USB ports. The Flash USB Drive fills both capacity and availability requirements making it an excellent solution for transporting data between computers. Currently, the Flash USB Drive comes in sizes ranging from 16 to 256 megabytes. As of January, a 512 megabyte model will be available. JMTek expects a 1.5 gigabyte model to be ready in February. The Flash USB Drive works on both Windows and Macintosh computers. Prices and availability for different capacity models vary so check with JMTek for details. JMTek, LLC |
| Craig Crossman is a McClatchy-Tribune newspaper columnist writing about computers and technology. He also hosts the nation's longest running nationally syndicated radio talk show on computers and technology, Computer America, heard on both the Business TalkRadio Network® and the Lifestyle TalkRadio Network®, weeknights at 10PM Eastern time. Visit his website at http://www.computeramerica.com |
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