| First of all they can be called many names. Jump drive | | | | As the large drives started coming out the small drive |
| is a brand. They are also called Thumb Drives, USB | | | | prices dropped like a rock. |
| drives, backup drives, portable drives or, for that | | | | * Storage capacity- Here is a good way to look at it: If |
| matter, whatever you want to call them. | | | | you have a 500 GIG drive on your hard drive, buy a |
| What are the differences? | | | | drive half that size. Usually your data would have fit on |
| There too many to mention all of them. By now almost | | | | a 500 GIG drive without a backup as an example. |
| any manufacture is OK to use. Most "bad" ones have | | | | However, have a computer technician look at your |
| been weeded out of the market. You mainly need to | | | | storage needs. Do not try to play technical. This never |
| be able to know what you want to use it for. | | | | saves any money. If you do it right the first time, you |
| * Some swing open while others just have a cap on | | | | will go years without a worry. |
| them. Some even slide in and out. Larger drives are | | | | Are there any warnings I need to know about? |
| connected by using a USB cable. | | | | Yes! As in any new technology, there is a procedure |
| * Transferring or storing a small amount of data- This | | | | you need to follow if you want things to go properly. |
| drive can normally be as small as 500 Megabytes. | | | | When you plug it in it will install itself. Do not panic if it |
| You still need to know how big the file or files will be | | | | takes a while. However, when you remove the drive |
| however. | | | | you need to take special steps. If you just pull out the |
| * Using as a backup drive- This depends on if you are | | | | plug you can corrupt the data and/or make the drive |
| going to use a backup utility that will over write the files | | | | inaccessible. If that happens, you will not be able to |
| each time. If you are going to back up individual files or | | | | access any data that was on the drive. Some people |
| programs on a regular basis I would recommend a | | | | have done this numerous times without problems. Well! |
| large drive. Backup Drive physical sizes are normally | | | | You know you are the one that this very bad problem |
| bigger than a simple flash drive. Their storage space | | | | will happen to. In the lower right corner of your desktop |
| can be as large as one terabyte. In fact, they get | | | | you will see "Safely Remove Hardware" if you hover |
| bigger every day. Small flash drives have gained in | | | | over it with your mouse. Double click it. You will see |
| storage space and can be as big as 16 GIG at this | | | | several selections normally. You need to find and |
| writing. | | | | select the proper drive and device. Once you are sure |
| * Cost considerations - The type of drive you get may | | | | click OK. In some cases it may take a while before it |
| depend on your budget. Although a very large drive is | | | | say that it is safe to remove. If you click the wrong |
| nice to have you may be forced to buy a smaller | | | | device do not worry. Just remove it and plug it back in |
| drive. USB drives have come down in price very fast. | | | | again. |