I have seen these small removable jump drives explode in popularity, and I'm not sure why unless I am missing something. If I need to move a few files from work to home, I email them. I can't think of whay I need a small hard drive to carry around. If anyone has one, can you tell me what do you use it for?
I carry my resume on it. Also if you are working on big file you don't have to wait around for 20mb to be uploaded. Email works just as well for many of the uses of the jump drive, but if you can get a nice sized jump drive for 10 bucks I say go for it.
woodie1
Tired Member
posted: Dec. 19, 2004 @ 10:28p
I have pondered what I could use one for too. They seem to be all the rage right now. Maybe I'll try a small one soon.
RickR
Ancient Member
posted: Dec. 19, 2004 @ 11:37p
I use mine to back up all of my work files each day. I created a script that zips up my "My Documents" folder and copies it to the usb drive.
They work great for transfering files from 1 computer to another when the second computer isn't on a network. I use it to install drivers for computers at work since XP doesn't have the drivers for the NIC.
1) You can drag and drop folders on it more easily than you can zipping the whole mess up as an email attachment. 2) They're cool to carry a few mp3s around with you if you want to give them to a friend. 3) I keep copies of Spybot, Ad-Aware, McAfee, and Firefox on it for when I'm fixing people's computers. Lots of my friends are still modem users and it takes FOREVER to download these must-haves on their computer after a reformat or something.
It's like a Tivo. Everyone sys, "Why would I want one of those?" Then you get one and almost instantly say, "How the heck did I ever live without it?"
I use mine many time a day at work. It's the fastest way to transfer data between systems and much more convenient to carry than floppies or CD's. For travelers, it's an absolute necesity. Just load up all of your important files before you leave and you won't be stuck without your data. You don't always have instant access to the internet, but if your jump drive is on your keychain, then you are set.
jayK
Senior Member - JayK
posted: Dec. 20, 2004 @ 6:45a
Gmail is my "USB drive"...but then I'm rarely without access to an internet connection.
rctay
Cranky Member
posted: Dec. 20, 2004 @ 7:30a
If you're not sure you need one, get one of these: link. That way it has other uses. Just don't count on carrying your data on a plane.
DragonsLore said: I mostly use mine to carry all the tools I need to remove spyware and other parsites from any system I might need to work on The problem is that Win98 PCs may not recognize the drive with out having drivers
CDs are safer
prbp
Member
posted: Dec. 20, 2004 @ 8:12a
I use mine to carry work files back and forth between work and home. We also use it in my family to give each other pictures. Usually at a party someone brings their digital camera, then afterward we load the pictures onto everyones jump drive so we don't need to email them around.
DragonsLore
127.0.0.1
posted: Dec. 20, 2004 @ 8:14a
ellory said: The problem is that Win98 PCs may not recognize the drive with out having drivers
CDs are safer Plus don't forget, there is spyware out there which will prevent the CD drive from working, thereby preventing you from loading the tools from the CD drive.
So if you absolutely must work on a windows 98 system, have the generic drivers handy on a floppy.
I keep all of my internet Favorites on my thumbdrive. That way when I use someone else's PC, I can have easy access to all the sites I regularly visit. I also keep a small collection of spyware/antivirus tools on it. It's also very useful for checking that USB ports are working correctly on new builds, etc. Mine is only 64MB, I'm trying to hold off on upgrading until I can get a 120GB unit for free after rebate, probably around Christmas 2014...
rogue409
Frivolous Member
posted: Dec. 20, 2004 @ 12:16p
Portable firefox because I'm often at a bunch of different computers during the day. pdf's of various papers that I need to read or print. Our department's computer lab has free printing, so I'll usually go there to print stuff out (2MB-15MB/file). whichever documents (word/excel) that I'm working on (5MB total). My to-do list in a text file. I'm kind of forgetful. Secondary backups for certain files.
Other students use their jump drives to store their datasets, which can be anywhere from a 5-800MB. When you have large files, the big jumpdrives are a savior.
rctay said: If you're not sure you need one, get one of these: link. That way it has other uses. Just don't count on carrying your data on a plane. The only time I use mine is when I travel (backup copy of files in case of emmergencies). Not being able to carry on a plane is a killer... Plus, that's way too expensive
qwertybot
Member
posted: Dec. 20, 2004 @ 2:40p
Do a search on Google and you can find out how to make the USB drive bootable...I used a utility from HP, but it works with just about any make of thumbdrive. Then its REALLY usefull. I have a 256mb one that I have bootable, with DOS and Ghost on it (all my harddrives have a second partition on the master drive that has a clean copy of XP+SP2 with all my current drivers, apps, and settings all setup--all in a Ghost backup file). It also has AntiVirus/AntiTrojan/AntiSpyware on it. Plus, I make sure it has the latest drivers for all of my hardware. Even with all this, I still have a ton of space left over. If you can find one of those cheap/free 32mb-64mb, or even 128mb ones, get it. They're very useful.
If you had a big enough one, you might even be able to load one of those Live Linux distros on it. Then again, I remember seeing a REALLY tiny Live distro awhile back...it fit on one of those card sized CDs (which I think carry around 100-200mb).
qwertybot said: Do a search on Google and you can find out how to make the USB drive bootable...I used a utility from HP, but it works with just about any make of thumbdrive. Then its REALLY usefull. I have a 256mb one that I have bootable, with DOS and Ghost on it (all my harddrives have a second partition on the master drive that has a clean copy of XP+SP2 with all my current drivers, apps, and settings all setup--all in a Ghost backup file). It also has AntiVirus/AntiTrojan/AntiSpyware on it. Plus, I make sure it has the latest drivers for all of my hardware. Even with all this, I still have a ton of space left over. If you can find one of those cheap/free 32mb-64mb, or even 128mb ones, get it. They're very useful.
If you had a big enough one, you might even be able to load one of those Live Linux distros on it. Then again, I remember seeing a REALLY tiny Live distro awhile back...it fit on one of those card sized CDs (which I think carry around 100-200mb).
You don't mention whether you use Internet Explorer, or an alternate browser, but the easiest way for IE is to start IE, from the File menu, select Import and Export, and run the wizard to export your favorites to an html file that you then will copy or save directly to the jumpdrive. Then when you use someone elses PC, plug in your jumpdrive, double click on the html file you saved, and IE will load with that page...you will see your favorites.
i use mine for many of the reasons that have been posted: favorites, resume, PDFs, mp3s, free internet security progs (AVG,AA,S&D,SB,Sygate FW), firefox.
i use it to transfer files to a PC that has a slow or no internet/network connection.
i'd like to figure out how to make it bootable for the many systems i have at work for ghost 7.5 enterprise. either that, or figure out how to do it remotely over the network...it's a work in progress. i'm a networking newb.
GregMal
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 21, 2004 @ 11:58a
I have broadband at work, dial-up at home. Very easy to download large files and transport them home with a flashdrive/jumpdrive............Greg
Dilliam
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Dec. 21, 2004 @ 1:07p
Porn. Mine has porn on it. I get these really nasty pictures sent to me at work from a higher up in the company, and some are too good to let go.
How I wish I can spread porn here at work w/o consequences.....
repairandtutor
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 21, 2004 @ 7:33p
Storing Roboform passcard login info....so I can see streaming stock market quotes from my laptop while sunbathing at Starbucks outside...or any other place around here with wi-fi...
Also use for login info for bank and credit card accounts. Don't want to keep this stuff on my lappy in case it's stolen.
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