| Oh for heaven's sake what on earth are thumb | | | | equipped with software that installs a Win 98 driver on |
| drives? Really, just when you get used to various | | | | the computer, which of course fixes the problem. This |
| terms relating to flash drives, someone throws in | | | | only takes roughly 60 seconds, so it's not like it's a |
| another term that doesn't seem to relate to it. | | | | major problem to install. |
| Basically, thumb drives are portable memory storage. If | | | | Something else that is quite helpful when using thumb |
| you're thinking this sounds a lot like flash drives, you'd | | | | drives is that sys admins can upload anti-virus |
| be right. Thumb drives are re-writeable and retain their | | | | software to an infected computer, a real bonus if |
| memory without needing access to a power supply to | | | | dealing with a nasty invasive virus. |
| do it. | | | | Thumb drives come with storage up to 8GB, and while |
| What do you do with these USB drives? Easy, they fit | | | | that provides a lot of storage, most people find they |
| into any usb port on your computer. It's just that simple. | | | | can make do with 256 MB to 512 MB. If you're mostly |
| Thumb drives will also do something called "hot swap" | | | | storing text, you might need even smaller flash drives. It |
| and that means you can plug the drive into the | | | | largely depends on what you choose to use your |
| computer and don't have to restart it to access the | | | | memory drives to accomplish. Many people will make it |
| flash drives. | | | | a point to have several different memory drives for |
| Ok, but why do they call them "thumb" drives? They're | | | | various functions. |
| called memory drives because they're about the size | | | | Thumb drives aren't that hard to find either and you |
| of a thumb. Sometimes, things gets names just | | | | can buy them online or in computer stores. If you're |
| because they're obvious. Others, well for instance | | | | looking for stability, versatility, durability and portability, |
| jump drives, but that's for another article. | | | | USB drives are exactly what you need if you want |
| Some users who rely on memory drives figure that | | | | long-term storage at a reasonable price. Just make |
| their incompatibility with Win 98 OS makes them not | | | | sure that the company you are considering buying |
| worth using. While that may be a valid criticism, the | | | | flash drives from has a good reputation and has been |
| facts are that some types of memory drives are | | | | in the business long enough to really know its stuff. |