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Toss your floppy disks -- welcome to the age of the flash
drive
By Todd Whittington
March 16, 2005 | Many students across
campus are throwing out their old floppy and zip disks
and replacing them with a USB flash drive. A USB flash
drive is a storage device allowing users to store, carry
and transfer files, much like a floppy disk. However,
a big difference between these two products lies in
the fact that USB flash drives can hold a great deal
more information than a floppy. For instance, a single
64 MB flash drive can hold the same amount of information
as 44 floppy disks.
Using the flash drive couldn't be easier. It has no
device-specific drivers; in fact no software comes with
it," said Ron Dunbar of pacsnet.org.
"They're better then disks because they are smaller
and write and read faster," said Chris Clayton, salesman
in computer solutions at the Utah State Bookstore.
USB flash drives are available in a variety of storage
capacities. Storage typically ranges from 32 MB to 1
GB, and will most likely continue to increase as technology
advances. Flash drives are lightweight and portable.
Many can be attached to a keychain, making it easy to
take everywhere.
"Flash drives are significantly more reliable then
floppy disks," said Ken Frederickson, a service technician
for the Office of Information Technology.
"Flash drives are an ideal storage accessory for business
executives and travelers," said Dave Klenske, Lexar
Media, Director of Product Marketing. "A traveling executive
can put all of the information they may need on the
drive and have it available, from any computer, at a
moment's notice."
Flash drives can be used with both Macs and PCs, one
simply plugs in the flash drive near the power button
on most computer towers.
"It's very user friendly," said graduate student Ryan
Anderson. "I threw my floppy disk away because I don't
use it anymore."
The USU Bookstore sells a variety of flash drives
and is experiencing a significant increase in the number
sold. "Sales have definately increased in the past year,"
said Clayton. "They are more practical."
Flash drives also come in a variety of models. JumpDrive
Sport is a model that the company Lexar boasts is impact
resistant and durable due to its rubber cap. Other models
include JumpDrive Secure, JumpDrive traveler, JumpDrive
Elite, JumpDrive 2.0 Pro, and JumpDrive Photo.
More and more companies are making flash drives, producing
different models. "The price has gone down and it's
getting competitive, which is good for the consumer,"
said John Smith who works at the help desk at IT services.
Prices for USB flash drives usually range with storage
capacity. A 64 MB model is currently priced around $40
at both OfficeMax and Staples. Students looking for
a deal can also buy last year's 32 MB model online for
around $10. The bookstore sells a variety of models
with capacities ranging from 32 MB to 1 GB.
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