| Technology has simplified our lives in many meaningful | | | | standards in developing memory, the devices are easy |
| ways. The cell phone has turned from a novelty | | | | to use in a variety of products-everyone ends up on |
| product the size of a car battery, to a slim line device | | | | the same page. For example, a computer |
| that provides calling features, navigation capabilities, | | | | manufacturer knows what to expect in the standards |
| email, and games. Computers have changed from | | | | of memory, so they can easily design their computers |
| mainframes the size of a room, to petite notebooks | | | | to serve and process those values. |
| that fit into a purse. And memory has changed from | | | | Memory has become affordable and useful; so much |
| minuscule capacity to flash memory devices that are | | | | so that memory is available and considered a |
| able to hold meaningful amounts of data. | | | | necessity even to elementary school children and their |
| Thirty years ago, an affordable, pocket sized device | | | | work in the classroom. Many schools require flash |
| holding 4Gs of memory would be something seen only | | | | memory as part of the expected yearly school |
| in a super hero or futuristic sci-fi movie. Flash memory, | | | | supplies parents buy for their children. Teachers require |
| our super hero today, easily provides 2G and 4G | | | | kids to work on assignments on the school computer |
| storage capacity as a norm. That level storage is | | | | and then finish their work on a home computer. |
| simply expected in today's fast paced, technology | | | | Flash memory makes this an easy possibility. With so |
| driven society. | | | | many kids using memory, it is not surprising that |
| Flash memory is a portable storage device. It can be | | | | memory devices have started to appear in various |
| used to back up information from a hard drive. Many | | | | colors with signature looks. A pink, blue, purple, or green |
| people use memory to back up photographs, digital | | | | flash memory would not be surprising to see. |
| files, PDFs, word processing documents, music, etc. | | | | Furthermore, high end stores such as Swazis Crystals |
| Memory is also used to back up files so the | | | | offer new and fancy necklaces designed for carrying |
| information can then be removed from a hard drive. | | | | memory devices. Just as computers have moved |
| This may be done to keep information private by | | | | beyond the boring grey look, flash memory is making |
| storing it in a location off of the computer (for example, | | | | its fashion debut. |
| the case of a publicly shared work computer). | | | | But fashionably chic or not, the functionality of memory |
| Flash memory is considered a solid state storage | | | | cannot be denied. Memory has simplified our lives. The |
| device (no moving parts) meaning it is electronic | | | | technology has taken off and although many are more |
| verses mechanical. It is very much like a computer | | | | than satisfied with where the scientists and computer |
| hard drive. When solid state storage devices entered | | | | experts have taken us, the experts are not finished. In |
| the public eye in the late 80s, they were great if you | | | | 2010, a new and faster flash memory is expected to |
| were one of the lucky few who could afford it. The | | | | appear-maybe not on the cover of Vogue, but |
| growth of the flash memory market and understanding | | | | possibly on the front of Wired Magazine. |
| of the technology has helped it become affordable for | | | | Flash memory is found in various forms of digital |
| the masses. | | | | cameras and also in the gaming world. It can be used |
| Quality memory device makers submit themselves to | | | | in devices like Xbox 360 to store what level a gamer |
| the high standards developed by the Personal | | | | has achieved in their play so levels don't have to be |
| Computer Memory Card International Association, | | | | repeated. So these little devices can truly help us with |
| otherwise known as PCMCIA. With consistent | | | | our memory. |