| Data, or information stored on your computer, can | | | | This disc has a much greater storage capacity than an |
| either be held on fixed disk drives inside the computer | | | | average CD-R or CD-RW. |
| or on removable media such as CD's that can be | | | | Ideal for... |
| inserted and removed. Removable media can be used | | | | - Backing up |
| to transfer files between computers or to backup the | | | | - Storing archival data |
| data already existing on fixed disk drives. There are | | | | Enhanced CDEnhanced CD (E-CD) is an audio CD |
| three types of removable media: Magnetic, Optical and | | | | with CD-ROM data added. CD-ROM data is added in |
| Flash. | | | | the space not taken by audio. Recording artists can |
| Magnetic Storage | | | | use this to include videos, lyrics, interviews or promo |
| Magnetic Storage: Hard disks, floppy disks and digital | | | | material. The E-CD can be played on a CD player but |
| audiotape are examples of Magnetic storage. They | | | | to view additional material you need access to a |
| operate through a read/write head, which creates and | | | | multimedia-capable device, such as a CD-i player, |
| reads magnetic impressions on the disk. | | | | DVD-ROM, or CD-ROM drive. |
| The downside... | | | | Bridge DisksA CD-Bridge disc holds extra information |
| - The magnetic impression only lasts for around five | | | | on a CD-ROM XA track. The disc can be played on |
| years | | | | either a CD-i player attached to a television, or a |
| - The capacity of most removable magnetic disks is | | | | CD-ROM XA drive attached to a computer. Software |
| too low for many types of files | | | | such as Photo or a Karaoke CD player can provide |
| Optical storage | | | | lots of fun with the Bridge Disk. |
| Optical Storage holds information in digital form that is | | | | DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)Although DVD's have |
| written and read by a laser. All CD and DVD devices | | | | become more associated with video, they can also |
| are examples of this. | | | | hold audio and computer data; hence their name Digital |
| The upside... | | | | Versatile Disk. Like the CD, a DVD is a 120-mm by |
| - Increased capacity: one Optical disc can store the | | | | 1.2mm thick disk. However the DVD has more tracks |
| same amount of data as over 500 diskettes | | | | than a CD so holds far more data. CD's have an |
| - Durability: they last up to seven times as long as | | | | unvarying storage capacity of 750MB, whereas DVD's |
| Magnetic forms of storage | | | | store up to 17GB. |
| Flash Memory (Solid-State Removable Storage) | | | | A range of acronyms is also used to distinguish |
| Solid-state memory (or Flash memory) is a | | | | between the different types and capabilities of DVD's |
| high-performance plug-and-play storage device that | | | | available. These include DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, |
| contains no moving parts. It is found in digital cameras, | | | | DVD+RW and DVD-Audio. |
| video game consoles and digital audio players. You | | | | DVD-ROM |
| can use it in the form of USB Flash Drives to transfer | | | | DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only |
| or backup data. Flash memory is small, light and fast. | | | | Memory) is similar to a movie DVD, but is designed for |
| Backup | | | | computers. The DVD-ROM stores data in the same |
| Backup is the copying of files onto portable media so | | | | way that the CD-ROM does and is used in the |
| that if your computer crashes, data won't be lost in | | | | DVD-ROM drive of your PC. |
| oblivion. Backup is usually routine in large businesses | | | | The upside... |
| but is often neglected by individual users. Some | | | | - Larger storage space - hold more data than a CD |
| suggest backing up data files and duplicating your hard | | | | - Can be filled with nearly everything; video, music or |
| drive weekly. It takes around 45 minutes to backup a | | | | computer specific data |
| 500-megabyte hard disk. | | | | - A base speed of 1.32 megabytes/sec |
| There are two options - local or Internet backup. The | | | | The downside... |
| following is a list of Local backup options. Most of | | | | - Many older computers do not have a DVD-Rom |
| these also double as devices used to transfer data | | | | drive installed |
| between computers. | | | | - Can be recorded on only once |
| - Diskettes | | | | DVD-Audio |
| - Zip Drives | | | | DVD-Audio (DVD-A) is designed for audio data and |
| - CD's | | | | high-quality music. Its storage capacity is seven times |
| - DVD's | | | | that of a CD and provides at least twice the sound |
| - Flash Drive | | | | quality. Like the Enhanced CD, DVD-A can contain |
| Internet BackupAnother backup option is sending your | | | | other data, providing the listener with extra information |
| files to an Internet site for safekeeping. If your | | | | such as lyrics or images. DVD-A is predicted by many |
| computer crashes you can simply download them | | | | to replace the standard audio CD in the music industry. |
| from the site. Here are a few examples of such sites: | | | | DVD-R |
| Backup Defender ( and My Backup ( N.B. The author | | | | Like the CD-R, the DVD-R (Digital Versatile |
| does not recommend or endorse any of the above | | | | Disc-Recordable) can be recorded on once. |
| service providers. | | | | The upside... |
| Diskette | | | | - A DVD-R can contain an assortment of information; |
| A Diskette is a 3.5-inch removable magnetic disk. The | | | | video, text, audio and computer data |
| older version, the floppy disk, is 5.25 inches square and | | | | - A DVD-R can be played on your normal DVD video |
| flexible. Copying to a diskette is quick and economical. | | | | player but remember, if you have additional data not of |
| Ideal for... | | | | the same format e.g. video and audio together, you will |
| - Those who use their PC for personal finance - the | | | | need a DVD-ROM or Multimedia player of some kind |
| diskette enables you to retrieve checkbook balances | | | | - A DVD-R is read at the same speed as |
| etc. | | | | commercially made DVD's |
| - Projects that need to be continuously backed up | | | | DVD-RW and DVD+RW |
| such as a film script, as it is a cheap alternative. | | | | Similar to the CD-RW, a DVD-RW or DVD+RW |
| Not so good for... | | | | (Digital Versatile Disc - Rewritable) can be recorded |
| - Some newer computer and laptop models that do | | | | on, rewritten and erased multiple times. Other than this |
| not have a diskette or floppy drive installed. | | | | they are identical to the DVD-R. DVD minus and plus |
| - Large amounts of data as diskettes don't have a | | | | are just different versions with the same functionality. |
| great storage capacity | | | | The Future of CD/DVD Storage |
| Zip DrivesA Zip drive is a small, square shaped | | | | The majority of the technology industry predicts that |
| magnetic disk that is ideal for backing up your PC. The | | | | soon DVD's, with their larger storage capacity and |
| 100-megabyte size holds the equivalent of 70 floppy | | | | faster access time, will replace CD's. DVD-ROM drives |
| diskettes. They also come in a 250-megabyte size | | | | are likely to be sold with new computer systems in the |
| Ideal for... | | | | way that CD-ROM drives once were. However we |
| - Duplicating your entire disc drive | | | | are always on the cusp of newer technologies, such |
| - Archiving | | | | as the HD-ROM. |
| - Storing graphic images or other large files | | | | HD-ROM (High Density-Read Only Memory) |
| - Transferring large files | | | | HD-ROM uses a more precise particle beam to write |
| - Keeping certain data separate from files on your | | | | data. This enables information to be written on more |
| hard disk | | | | durable materials such as metal so storage is virtually |
| The downside... | | | | permanent. HD-ROM has hundreds of times the |
| - They seem to be a fleeting technology - most | | | | storage capacity of the CD-ROM. |
| computers do not have a Zip Disc drive installed and | | | | Flash Drives |
| opinion varies on how long they will be around for. | | | | A Flash drive is a small portable memory stick that |
| Compact Disks | | | | holds anywhere from 1Mb to 1GB of data. It is |
| There are different standards of CD's that have | | | | surprisingly lightweight and is often worn around the |
| different capabilities. Just to confuse us they are | | | | neck or carried as a funky key chain. They are |
| recognized by seemingly similar acronyms; CD-R, | | | | compatible with any PC that has USB port and with |
| CD-RW, CD+RW, DDCD and E-CD. | | | | Mac OS 9 and OS X, Windows 2000 and XP or Linux |
| CD-R | | | | 2.4.17. |
| CD-R (Compact Disc - Recordable) is a CD that can | | | | The upside... |
| be recorded to only once. It usually holds 74 minutes of | | | | - Durable - more so than CD's or DVD's |
| audio or 650 MB of data, although newer versions hold | | | | - No need for batteries or a separate power source |
| up to 80 minutes of audio (700 MB of data). If your PC | | | | - Convenient - your computer should recognize the |
| has CD burning software and a compatible CD-R or | | | | additional drive as soon as you insert it into the USB |
| CD-RW drive, the CD-R can be used in the same | | | | port |
| way as a diskette. However unlike a diskette it cannot | | | | - Ideal for backup |
| be deleted or overwritten. Look out for CD-Rs that | | | | - Larger storage capacity then many other portable |
| have an additional protective layer which make them | | | | devices |
| less susceptible to damage caused through scratching. | | | | - More portable than ZIP drives, CD's and Diskettes |
| Ideal for... | | | | - Quick transfer rate (approx. 1Mb/sec) |
| - Making music CD's | | | | - Edit, rewrite, delete as many times as desired |
| - Storing photos | | | | - Help desk personnel can use Flash Drives as a |
| - Storing permanent data | | | | portable toolkit that includes system updates and |
| Not so good for... | | | | recovery tools. |
| - Transferring files as they can only be used once | | | | The downside... |
| CD-RW/CD+RW | | | | - More expensive than other portable devices |
| A CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable) and CD+RW | | | | - Viruses - The portability and compatibility of the Flash |
| can be recorded onto as many times as desired. Data | | | | Drive increases the chance of spreading viruses. In |
| can be overwritten and erased. Other than this, the | | | | many cases viruses carried by a Flash Drive will not |
| CD-RW is identical to the CD-R. If it wasn't for their | | | | be detected as most antivirus software is reactive |
| finite durability CD-RW's and CD+RW's could be | | | | and only recognizes known viruses |
| reused endlessly. | | | | - Theft - a Flash Drive can make it easier for data to |
| Ideal for... | | | | be stolen from an unlocked PC |
| - Transferring files | | | | - Little Security - the size and weight of the Flash drive |
| - Holding temporary data | | | | makes it very easy to misplace. Most have little or no |
| Not so good for... | | | | security features and data is accessed easily. Some |
| - Holding important permanent files-in case they are | | | | Flash Drives do have built in security; either a |
| accidentally deleted | | | | password or in some cases a finger print system - but |
| Double Density CD (DDCD) | | | | this comes at a price. |