Also called USB Memory Sticks or Flash Drives, they allow you to store or transfer files on a small device which can range in capacity from 16MB all the way to 1GB! They have the advantage of working with any USB compatable PC, Mac with a compatable Operatign System. PC Makers have stopped supplying Computers with Floppy drives and instead are using USB Flash Drives as they are cheaper to produce, are more reliable and can be set so you can boot from them in the same way as you do with Floppies.
The memory inside the unit is non volitile which means unlike hard drives where the components actually move with these they dont and the result is a more durable product which can fit into the pocket or bag and you dont need to worry about it being knocked.
Lookup prices for Flash Drives
Use the online systems to tell you the best price from the online stores.
www.pcdrives.co.uk
Looking for MP3 Flash Players?
If you are unsure about flash players and how they relate to MP3 playback then read this useful article.
www.pcdrives.co.uk
Digital Camera Flash Memory, make the most from your memory cards
How to take care of your memory cards, learn if x-ray machines effect the data and more useful information
www.pcdrives.co.uk
5 Things you can do with Flash Memory
Got flash memory cards? They aren't only for your digital camera. Probably the coolest yet overlooked ways to use your flash memory card is as floppy drive replacement. Think about it, a flash memory card is really a form of storage disk.
www.pcdrives.co.uk
What is a USB FLASH DRIVE
USB flash drives are compact and easy-to-use devices that are similar in use to your computer hard drive. USB flash drives slip into your pocket, conveniently around your neck or on a keychain for ultimate portable storage.
www.usbflashdrive.org
Using USB Flash Drives
The USB Flash Drive plugs into the USB socket on your PC (Windows 98 users will need to run the software on the CD which comes with the USB Flash Drive before inserting it into a Windows 98 PC for the first time). For all newer versions of Windows (as found on all Open Access PCs on campus), the first time one is used on a given PC, it will take about 20 seconds or so for Windows to recognise the device.
www.swan.ac.uk
Biometric USB drive scans fingerprints
The ClipDrive Bio, which can store between 64MB and 2GB of data, is designed to solve the security issue with a "secure partition", which the user creates by pressing a finger on the built-in fingerprint scanner. The scanner can be used instead of a password to authenticate users' access to corporate networks and applications.
www.zdnet.co.uk