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Zip disks, jump drives, flash drives,
CDs or floppies?
Confused by all the Options?
This month's topic
provides an overview of your different storage media options for your PC.
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USB Drives
(a.k.a. flash, pen, jump, thumb, key drives & memory
sticks) |
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 General
Information:
A USB
drive is a compact USB memory drive that is similar to an external
hard drive, but with less storage capacity. USBs store an incredibly large amount of information on a device
that looks like a highlighter marker. About the size of a pack of
gum, a USB drive slips easily into your pocket and can be used
in place of a CD, floppy disk, external hard drive, and zip disk.
Recommended Usage:
USB drives can store and backup large amounts of information.
Due to the small size of USB drives, they are particularly good for files that need to be transported
from one location to another.
Pros: The fairly new,
compact USB drives have become an extremely popular storage
media. USB drives are more durable than other popular forms
of storage media (i.e. floppy disks, zip disks, external hard
drives) because they do not contain internal moving parts.
The
storage capacity of a USB drive depends upon whether you
purchase a USB 1.0 or a USB 2.0. A USB 1.0 flash drive can store up
to 512 megabytes (MB). A USB 2.0 can store over 4
gigabytes (GB) or 4000 megabytes (MB) of information, which is 6
times the storage capacity of a CD.
Transfer speeds of a USB drive are miniscule and can occur in
seconds. Please note: USB 2.0 drives have a significantly faster
transfer speed than USB 1.0 drives.
USB drives can store information for approximately 10 years
and they are not vulnerable to magnets.
Cons:
High-end USB 2.0 drives can be
expensive. Due to their small size, USB drives are easily
misplaced.
Our Recommendations:
- Buy a USB drive that has “No
drivers needed” on the package. USB drives are plug
and play devices, which should be recognized by the computer as soon
as the flash drive is inserted into a USB port. However, flash
drives that use “compression” will require installation of
drivers on the computer.
- Always remove USB drive by
right-clicking on the Remove Hardware icon that is located near
your clock/time. Do not just pull the drive out. (Please see "How to Use a USB Drive"
link below.)
Links that will answer your
questions:
How
to Use a USB drive
Tips for Caring for Your Digital Media
Storage Media
Recommendations
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External Hard Drive |
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 General Information:
External hard drives come in various
storage capacities, which range from 20 to around 300 gigabytes
(GB). External hard dives are not always truly external. Some
external hard drives sit within a cradle in a free drive bay in the
computer, but others are truly external and connect to the computer
via a cable. To connect your external hard drive to your computer,
you may choose either USB (USB 1.0 or USB2.0) or Firewire cable
(requires a Firewire interface card). Moving Files or Data transfer
rates with both USB 2.0 and Firewire are very quick indeed.
With any external hard drive it is fairly
easy to drag and drop files from the main hard drive to the back
up. However, some external hard drives have a single button on
their case for data transfer, which makes the whole process very
easy indeed. With one button push, the preinstalled software
creates a full mirror backup of the computer hard drive onto the
external drive.
According to manufacturers, the lifespan of an
external hard drive is 2 to
10 years, but realistically the lifespan of an external hard
drive may range from 2 to 5 years.
Recommended
Usage:
External hard drives can store individual files, but are best used to
backup your entire PC’s hard drive.
Pros:
External hard drives are fast and it is easy to move files between the
external hard drive and user’s PC. It may also be stored offsite
and is portable.
Cons:
The
external hard drive and power supply are expensive.
Our Recommendations:
Links that will answer your
questions:
What is the difference between Firewire and USB?
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CD/ CD-R/ CD-RW |
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 General
Information:
A CD (Compact Disc), which is only 4.8 inches in diameter, can hold
up to 700 (MB) of information or about 80 minutes of
music. Information is recorded or burnt onto bumps that form a
single, spiral track. A laser within the CD drive reads and
interprets the bumps and plays the requested information
Recommended Usage:
There are two types of recordable CDs: CD-R and CD-RW.
The CD-R allows one-time recording only. CD-R
media are economical and are preferred storage media for one-time
backup of information.
Unlike a CD-R, a CD-RW disc can be re-recorded or
re-written up to 1,000 times. While the CD-RW disc is priced
slightly higher than a CD-R disc, the CD-RW is one of the most
economical forms of storage media.
(Please
note: HP Compaq computers at CCAC have internal CD burners, but
the Compaq and DTK computers do not have internal CD burners. If
your work computer is a Compaq or DTK, your department may purchase
a CD burner. When purchasing a CD burner, please follow these
specifications:
http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=139399)
Other Considerations:
On the CD-R and CD-RW disc, you may see "Certified up to 24x". The
'x' on the CD refers to a speed of data transfer of copying one CD
to another. For instance, if you were recording at 2x, it
would take about 40 minutes to record an 80-minute CD;
at 4x, it would take about 20 minutes to record an
80-minute CD.
Pros:
With
up to 700MB of data storage, CDs can store the information of about
500 floppy discs. Holding between
650 to 700 MB of data, CDs are more than adequate for small backups
and have a fast transfer rate.
Since CDs are fairly small, they are easy to transport and store.
They are inexpensive and can last from 5-10 years. Also, CDs are
not susceptible to magnets.
Cons: If mishandled,
CDs can be easily scratched and made unusable.
Our Recommendations:
- The data side of the
disc must remain free from scratches, fingerprints, dust, etc.
- Always handle CDs by
the edges or the center hole.
- Always return CDs to
a jewel-box or sleeve when done; don't stack them or set them
down on hard surfaces.
- Never write on the
data side of the CD, and use a felt-tip, permanent marker to
write on the label side.
- Never leave an
unprotected CD in direct sunlight, and avoid exposure to extreme
heat and humidity
Links that will answer your
questions:
How CDs Work
How to Burn A CD using
Roxio
Storage Media
Recommendations
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DVD/
DVD-R/ DVD-RW |
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 General Information:
DVD is an optical disc technology and is one of the newest storage
media available. A DVD is essentially a bigger, faster CD. A DVD
can store
cinema-like video, better-than-CD audio, still photos, and computer
data.
The
DVD is one of the newest storage media. A typical DVD holds
information equivalent to 7 80-minute CD-Rs
or 4.7 gigabytes (GB).
Recommended Usage:
Similar to CDs, there are two types of
DVD recordable discs, which are DVD-R or DVD-RW. DVD-R only
allows one time recording. DVD-RW may be recorded to up to 1,000 times.
Unlike CDs, not all recordable DVDs will play in all DVD players
(due to different standards over the years). The two standards
that have been established are DVD- and DVD+. The DVD+ format
may be played on any DVD player but, in order to do so, must be
recorded on a DVD+ compatible recorder. DVD- may play on almost
every DVD player made in the last two years but may not be recorded
on a DVD+ recorder/player. In buying DVD recordable discs, please
check
whether your DVD recorder is DVD- (DVD-R/DVD-RW) or DVD+ (DVD+R/DVD+RW)
compatible.
Pros:
DVD have a lifespan of 30 to 100 years and aren’t susceptible
to magnets. DVD media is fairly inexpensive if the DVD burner has
previously been installed.
Cons:
If handled improperly, DVDs can become scratched and unreadable.
Our Recommendations:
- For information on purchasing a DVD
burner, consult this website:
http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=139399
- Always handle DVDs by
the edges or the center hole.
- Always return DVDs to
a jewel-box or sleeve when done; don't stack them or set them
down on hard surfaces.
- Never write on the
data side of the DVD, and use a felt-tip, permanent marker to
write on the label side.
- Never leave an
unprotected DVD in direct sunlight, and avoid exposure to
extreme heat and humidity
Links that will answer your
questions:
DVD FAQ
Storage Media
Recommendations
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Zip
Disks (100 MB-250 MB) |
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General Information:
In
1995, the zip disk was released and was expected to replace the
3.5-inch floppy disk drive, which had been around since 1982. The
zip disk is able to store more information because it has a smaller
head and smaller track size, which enables the zip drive to read
similar to a hard disk drive.
Recommended Usage:
Zip
disks are great for storing and backing up large amounts of
information. Zip disks may also be used for storing pictures and
graphical data.
Pros:
Zip drives are a “second generation” floppy disk. They are faster,
more durable and hold considerably more information than 3.5-inch
floppy disks.
For
example, a 250 MB (megabyte) zip disk can store as
much information as approximately 173 3.5-inch floppy disks;
a 100 MB (megabyte) zip disks stores as much information as
approximately 69 3.5-inch floppy disks.
Cons: The zip disk can be prone to failure and may not open
the zip disk contents. Although the lifespan of the zip disk is
double the life span of the floppy disk, the zip disk has a
relatively short life span of 2-10 years. The zip disk is
not a recommended storage media for long term storage needs;
therefore, do not store a document that you will need to
continuously reuse or a document that is essential to long-term
college business.
Our Recommendations:
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Zip disks are available in two storage capacities, 100 MB and 250
MB. Older zip drives will only read 100 MB zip disks. Newer
drives are able to read 250 MB zip disks. If you are unsure
which zip disk your computer will be able to read, buy a 100 MB zip
disk or call the ITS Help Desk at (412)237-3275 or 3275.
- For information on purchasing a Zip Drive, consult this website:
http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=139399
- Even though, Zip
disks are sturdier than floppy disks, the same rules that apply
to the care for 3.5" disks are valid for Zip disks as well.
Keep them in their plastic case, don't let them be crushed in
your belongings, and avoid extreme temperatures.
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The "CLICK OF DEATH" is a repetitive clicking noise made when the
Zip drive attempts to read or write to the zip disk. This is
usually caused from an overused or misused disk. STOP using that
Zip disk immediately if you hear this clicking. If you hear the "CLICK OF DEATH", please
contact the ITS Help Desk at (412)237-3275 or 3275.
- When working on your
documents, do not use the disk like a hard drive. That means
that you should first copy the document to the computer desktop
and save it there as you work on the document. Every once in a
while, you should drag a copy of the document back onto the Zip
disk.
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Protect your zip disks from extreme temperatures and avoid exposure
to magnets, including magnetized media and airport x-ray
scanners
Links that will answer your
questions:
How to Use Zip
Disks/Zip Drives
Storage Media
Recommendations
Iomega’s Guide to using Zip disks
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Floppy Disks |
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 General
Information:
3.5-inch Floppy disks store 1.44 megabytes of information
on a soft magnetic disk that flops when you wave it. Unlike
previous versions of the floppy disk, the 3.5-inch floppy disk is
encased in a hard plastic envelope. Nevertheless, the floppy disk
is still one of the most vulnerable forms of storage media.
Recommended Usage:
Backup
of small files or folder
Pros:
Inexpensive Portable Storage Media
Cons:
Single
3.5-inch formatted floppy disk can only hold 1.22
megabytes (MB) of information, which is approximately 400 pages of
text. Since floppy disks can only store a limited amount of
information, multiple floppy disks must be used to backup a PC. In
addition, floppy disks have slow data transfer speeds and are
extremely vulnerable to magnets, cold and hot temperatures and need
to be replaced every two years.
Our Recommendations:
- The College is moving
away from using floppy disks. If you do purchase, buy only PC
formatted floppy disks.
- Don't reuse disks
until you encounter your first major disk problem. Disks are
extremely inexpensive, so buy a big pack of disks and keep
backups in multiple places.
- Don’t haphazardly toss disks into an overcrowded drawer. Buy a
plastic disk holder to hold your disks and protect them from the
elements.
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Protect your floppy disks from extreme temperatures and avoid exposure
to magnets, including magnetized media and airport x-ray
scanners.
Links that will answer your
questions:
How do
Floppy Disks Work?
How to Backup or
Copy a Floppy Disk?
Storage Media
Recommendations |
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Read this Guide to determine how to
properly dispose of storage media: Securing
and Destroying Your Storage Media.
For a quick summary of this month's
Talkin' Tech, check out the
Storage Media Quick Reference Guide.
To suggest future Talkin' Tech
Pages,
email
us.
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Talkin' Tech