Tips on Technology

The Flash Drive
A Very Convenient Gizmo

by Richard K. Herrmann, Esquire

Many of you have purchased notebook computers over the past year and have noticed something missing - there is no floppy disk drive. Even those computers offering floppy drives for "hot swappable bays", require you to make a choice, leave it at the office so you can load the extra battery, or "tote" it in your computer bag. Since the whole purpose of the light notebook computer is compact mobility, no one elects to "tote" an extra floppy drive. In fact, the same mobile lawyer often leaves his/her CD drive at the office as well.

Of course, a problem arises when you are away and need to get a document into your computer or from your notebook so it can printed at someone else's office. Should you have access to remote email, you canmake the transfer easily. However, analog lines for your modem are not always available; and a high-speed network connection from someone else's office is often problematic.

Now that I have established that a problem exists, let me offer the solution. You need a hard disk drive that fits on your key chain. Yes, the ultimate in portability, a drive the size of your key.

A number of manufacturers are marketing these Flash Drives. They are available from 8 megabytes to a gigabyte, the only difference being cost. I have a 128-megabyte drive and find it extremely convenient. The gizmo plugs into the computer's USB port and pops up on the desktop as another drive. No software drivers are required, and they work equally well for Windows and Macintosh.

Once you build a Flash Disk into your routine, it is like carrying a Swiss Army Knife; you will find many uses for it. [Of course, it is easier to get a Flash Disk through the court's metal detector; I have to leave my Swiss Army Knife at the office]. I find it inconvenient to transfer large files on my home wireless network because the transfer rate is very slow. Since I keep my house key on my Flash Disk key chain, it is always available. I use it as the vehicle for getting that large file from one computer to the other.

The Flash Disk also serves as the backup for my next seminar's PowerPoint presentation. Should there be a prior presenter using PowerPoint, I can often avoid having to deal with using my computer at all.

Prices vary depending on manufacturer and the number of megabytes desired. M-Systems' 512 MB DiskOnKey sells for about $500. CompUSA offers the 128-megabyte Cruzer USB FlashDrive by SanDisk for $100. If you want to learn more, visit www.diskonkey.com or www.flashmememorystore.com

Return to October 2002 Table of Contents.