Anyone still use a zip drive? I'm absolutely attached to mine and even considered getting a 250MB zip drive (currently just have 100MB), but wondered, am I falling WAY behind the times with this?

I just love the way I can quickly delete/add data to them whereas I frequently lose data or have other issues with my CD-RW's and DVD-RW's.

I just lost a TON of video files off a DVD-RW simply because I tried adding some files to the disk. Luckily the info was still posted online but it was so time consuming to upload it all and start over.

I have a 4GB USB flash drive instead. More space, cheaper, smaller and you can use them on any computer with a USB port.

These are wonderful inventions! Makes back-up and storage very easy. For network admin work, it is a must have!

Are those USB flash drives reliable? Can you add and/or delete data as you please without compromising other data? Thanks! I'm intrigued...

Yes, they are very reliable and super easy to use. They are called zip drives, flash drives, storage drives and storage devices.

They are tiny and hold a lot of data and can encrypt your data so no one can open it but you. They even come with fingerprint readers for security and no password requirements. You can get them to attach to your key chain, but some workplaces consider this a spy device since they can copy a hard drives contents pretty quick!

Once you plug it in, it will show up in your "My Computer" as another hard drive. Then you can "drag & drop" -or- use the "Send To" feature to simply store items...any items...on the flash drive versus your hard drive. They work the same way a hard drive works and will not over write your data. Once they are full, you will have to remove items to add more. If you just want to back up your media files & documents, a 4gb unit will probably work and only cost about $40.00! Stay away from any of them that say ???mb versus ???gb. The "mb" (megabyte) ones are left over from the past and cost just about as much as the gb (gigabyte ones) and do not hold enough data. I would aim for a 2-8gb with a 4gb working for most users. That is a lot of data!

And you can boost your system memory in Windows Vista with these little devices too. Just make sure they say ReadyBoost on the package!

Originally Posted by fitnfree

Anyone still use a zip drive? I'm absolutely attached to mine and even considered getting a 250MB zip drive (currently just have 100MB), but wondered, am I falling WAY behind the times with this?

I'd say yes that the zip drive is behind the times. I have one in one of my machines due to working at home and an office and taking the info from one place to another. Then I slowed down using it because of an intranet. But I haven't used that drive in at least 5 or 6 years because of the USB drives. My very first USB/flash drive was 1 gig, and lots faster than the zip.

I now have several of them, love 'em too, with the largest being 10 gig and it's still only a little over 2" long, 1/2" wide and maybe 1/4" thick. It's got a leather cover on it, too.

Originally Posted by micaman

Yes, they are very reliable and super easy to use. They are called zip drives, flash drives, storage drives and storage devices.

It really confused me the first time I heard someone call a flash drive a zip drive because I was thinking of my ol' zip drive at home. Then they showed it to me on their keychain. Oh, cool!

Dave

Thanks, micaman and Dave -- I'm sold! Now just a matter of picking which one I want...gosh, my heart is acting beating faster! Lol... I've seen these buggers online and in flyers and such but never paid a lot of attention...foolish, foolish. I will definitely take your advice on going with at least 4GBs, too. That is a lot of room and should fix me up quite nicely. Makes 250MBs sound like a joke!

Actually, if you have been used to using a 100 meg zip, a 1 gig flash drive will be amazing.

Prices have really dropped on USB flash drives in the last couple of years. Or maybe I should say that you can now get more for the money!

Dave

Well, I did it! I bought myself a 4 gig flash drive today! I just got home so I haven't played with it yet but WOW -- I can't get over how small it is and that I can even stick it on my keychain and take data with me!

I've known about these but just never gave them serious thought. Now I think I may be wanting more gigs later on, but like you said DaveMo -- after 100 megs, 4 gigs is going to be over-whelming! Thanks again for the suggestions everyone. I went with a San Disk Cruzer Micro 4GB... (hope that's a decent name!)

Originally Posted by fitnfree

Well, I did it! I bought myself a 4 gig flash drive today! ....
I went with a San Disk Cruzer Micro 4GB... (hope that's a decent name!)

Congrats! You'll love it!

I have one of the SanDisk Cruzers. I probably use it more than the others.

Dave