Use a Jump Drive, It's Better

While standing in the checkout line today at the local Target store, my eyes zeroed in on the one high-tech device on the nearby rack. This is the display rack that contains all the “impulse items” that buyers might consider while waiting in the interminable check-out lines: bubble gum and candy for the kiddies, Hollywood movie magazines for the bored, and jump drives for the techies.

Yes, the local Target store is selling USB jump drives at the checkout stand. I have written before about these tiny devices, describing how convenient they are. USB jump drives or thumb drives, or memory sticks or whatever you care to call them are rapidly replacing floppy disks and CD-ROM disks as the media of choice for short term storage, say a year or less. Now Target is selling 32 megabyte jump drives for $3.99 each. At that price, I could find many uses.

For many years, I always carried a couple of blank floppy drives whenever I was traveling. I never knew when I might want to copy some files from my laptop and give them to someone or perhaps hand the blank floppies to someone else, have them copy files to the floppies, and then give them back to me. After all, each floppy disk stores up to 1.44 megabytes and each costs between fifty and seventy-five cents. That's cheap. A few years ago, every computer had a floppy disk drive, so that was the universal method of exchanging files.

As the years went by, I found floppies to be less and less practical. The files I wanted to exchange seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. Eventually, I switched to carrying a couple of blank CD-ROM disks. Each blank CD could store up to about 660 megabytes, roughly 450 times the storage capacity of a single floppy disk. Blank CDs cost 40 or 50 cents each if purchased 100 or so at a time, then add in a few more pennies for a plastic carrying case. They certainly are more cost effective than floppies. Nowadays, most new computers are manufactured without floppy drives so CD-ROM disks seemed like a good method of exchanging files. .

What I found is that the CD-ROM disks are physically larger, so they are not quite as convenient to carry. I didn't always have one when I needed one. I also broke two or three of them carrying them around on my trips. The plastic cases and the CD-ROM disks themselves seemed to be more fragile than floppies. They both cracked easily. Sometimes I only had a damaged disk available when I needed to copy files.

As I stood in the checkout line today, it struck me that jump drives are now becoming the low-cost “portable, carrying-around media of choice.” The 32-megabyte jump drive stores the same amount of data as 22 floppy disks, although still only a fraction of a CD. However, I rarely need to copy more than 32 megabytes of data on the spur of the moment. The typical USB jump drive is tiny and very rugged. It is almost impossible to physically damage these things unless you run over them with an automobile.

At $3.99, the jump drive is still quite a bit more expensive than a CD disk, but I believe that this drawback is outweighed by the small size, the ruggedness, and the convenience. The next time I want to give someone a GEDCOM file or copies of all those pictures I took a minute ago with a digital camera, I'll reach into my backpack and grab one of these inexpensive drives. At that price, these devices are nearly disposable. I can afford to give away an occasional drive and its data to a friend.

As I stood in line, I grabbed five of these USB jump drives and added them to the shopping basket.

Comments

[xander]

Writing commercials for discount stores now, eh Eastman?

[Dick Eastman]

Yes, for the genealogists' supply store: Target! (smile)

[W. David Samuelsen]

32 MB flash drive? I had one and have not used it for long time, worthless because files are too big already. And way too limited.

In fact the flash drives are kind of expensive when you can get a whopper of a 160 GB palm size portable flash drive for only $118 dollars at Staples. Use it like a flash drive.

[Cheryl]

Mr. Samuelsen, I'd love to have your "worthless" flash drive for one of my students. Flash drives are helping me move my students into the 21st century. I teach at a low-income school where some of the families have computers and a lot don't. I've been trying to help my students understand the importance of knowing how to use technology and where they can access it even if they don't have it at home. Those little flash drives would be perfect for them to take their projects from school to the library or home to work on. Yesterday three students brought projects to school on flash drives and I was thrilled with the quality of the work.

I'm going to check out our stores around here (and we do have a Target right near our school) and see if they have them.

[BArry Spinner]

Regarding Dick's original idea about portability:

One could also use the minature CD-ROM. I do not know its correct name, however, I have seen them used very well by folks who were networking (Example, at jobfairs).

Dick, you brought good ce=oncerns about the size, packaging, and fragility of the normal CD. Right on. The minature format solves most of these issues because of the reduced size.

[Barbara]

I love jump drives--in fact, I have one for each surname that I research. They are great for library and for research trips! I keep my library info organized on the drives by surname. I can compare info that I find on research trips to the info in my computer while I'm still in the area.
I copy info directly into my genealogy program when I get home--sure beats the piles of hard copies of the past that never seemed to get properly filed for several weeks!!!! I started out with a couple of 64 mg. but have changed most of those over to 1 Gigs for my large files and use these also as a portable backup.

[Peggy LeBlanc]

Two comments:
1. Don't include them them while dropping an armload of books on the pavement. I lost one (shattered the insides.)
2. I love them! I use them at work everyday.. beats solving inconvenient network issues.
3. Silicon Valley User Group sold some that had thousands of Internent favouites links stored on them. I enthusiastically bought one, but alas...

they don't find well when hubby throws them into someone else's moving box..

Moral: Know where you put them at all times. Those wonderful little things can be pesky to find...

Wish: Wish they made them more like jewellery. I look like a warden with three around my neck sometimes. A flash drive hidden to look like a necklace might be nice. At least for the ladies anyway.

[Concetta]

Peggy,

Check out craftster.org and search for USB or thumb drives. They have done several tutorials on how to make them look much, much better :-)

And I took enjoy the $3.99 flash drive. They're great for volunteers to scan a book, throw it on there, mail it to me so I can get the file, and then I can mail the drive onto someone else and repeat the whole process.

[Jerry Terry]

Does antone know the life expectancy of data on a jump drive? We constantly read that data on a CD may be gone within a year or so.

[Bill Buchanan]

I also find a flash drive handy for running certain programs when I am a guest on someone else's computer. My favorites include Personal Ancestral File 5.2 and PureText, but a Google search on "portable software" will bring up lots of free software including special versions of some well-know titles.

And unlike a CD, storing a file on a flash drive doesn't make it "read-only". And if you carry an MP3 player, remember that it is just a flash drive with a few extra smarts.

Thanks for bringing up this timely subject, Dick.

[Kali]

A little late to the party, eh? I've been using thumb drives for years. But your really must invest in a higher capacity drive.

I have two of them for just back ups. I copy all my info onto both of them and one goes in a firebox safe in my home and the other goes to my parents home hours away in their safe. Whenever I go visit, I exchange theirs for the one at my house (which has the most recent changes).

[Trish Lewis]

thumb/flash drives are good for convenience, but I'd never depend on them for long-term backup...

[Happy Dae]

I have read where non-commercially made CDs last around 5 years. I've some that are 7 years old and still readable. Yes, I've already backed them up.

I've read that the thumb drives' duration is more dependent on the quality of manufacture. Estimates are 6 to 8 years. I did read a review that said 2 years, though.

Also, discussing wish lists, I'd like to see some Avery-style labels for these drives. I've 15 now and use them similarly to Barbara. It would be nice not to have to remember that the red ones are Mum's lines and the blue ones are for me Da's lines.

I'm just saying ...

Happy Dae.
http://www.ShoeStringGenealogy.com/ssg1.htm

[Madolyn]

As a tech. challenged senior citizen, I just heard about thumb drives and I'm getting one right away. My question is (remember there are no stupid questions, please) if I put Family Tree info on a USB, and send it to my family, will they be able to get all the info?

[Tim]

I agree that the 32MB is far too small for anything. "give someone ... copies of all those pictures I took a minute ago with a digital camera"? With a 32MB drive? I might be able to get 2 pictures from my cheap little camera on one, but that's all. I bought a 128MB Lexar Jump Drive (all Jump Drives are made by Lexar) and found it to be too small many times. However, I have my GEDCOM and a complete copy of my Web site on it. I take it on research trips along with my old laptop with only a 4GB hard drive so I can access all my data without using the precious space on my hard drive. I have thought about using my iPod, but I don't want to take up room with the software.

Madolyn,
As long as your relatives have the software required to open the files you send, they will get everything you give them.

[Carmen Johnson]

There are some other positive about thumb drives. They can survive the washer (at least with the lid on) I've washed mine by accident a few times. If you can afford it, get the larger size (1Gig can be only $20 or so) I've been using them for several years. As for backing up your FTM - you should be able to get it on a drive and someone else should be able to open it. Something else that these little jewels can do is add more RAM to your computer on the fly if you are running Vista. I haven't had to do that yet - but it is nice to know that I can.

[JimmyDaGeek]

I don't buy any of these drives that are less than 1GB these days. You can find them on sale at any Office Depot, Staples, Best Buy, etc for between $10 and $20 per GB. Even less if you want a rebate. Given the size of pictures, documents, etc., this is the way to go. Look for give-aways and bargains on Black Friday.

[Lorelee]

Madolyn, Be sure when you put your info to send to friends and family that you do it as a gedcom. I made the error of backing up my FTM file just as a backup and it did not work when I tried to use it in Salt Lake. The wonderful volunteer said it had to be a gedcom for it to work.

[theKiwi]

Here you go

2 GB for $17 with free shipping. That's a bit better deal than 32 MB for $4 :-))

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202743330

Cheers

Roger

[Bette Butcher Topp]

I have 4 of the flash drives and got a package of tags - that can be used for any purpose. - at Staples. Cheap. Different colors, has a round 1" surface circled by metal ring.
At any rate, you can write on the them and they can be hooked into the same place when you attache the cloth 'necktie'. I am working right now on 4 particular lines of family, getting them into a book form, and have one for each of the books I am working on.
It works super. Have 2 - 2gbs and 2 -4gbs I just keep backing them up on the drives.
Sure beats any other method that I have used so far.
Bette

[Charles Ellis]

Madolyn,

If you are using JPEG to save your pictures and you should get 5 to 10 thousand pictures on a 32MB thumb drive with space to spare.

Charles Ellis

[barb]

I have been using jump drives for coupleyears now . you can get 1GB ones . Very useful for putting data on . some libraries have special pendrives that allow you tocopy some data.

[Dick Eastman]

What fascinates me is that the lower capacity jump drives are now so cheap that they are almost disposable. Sure, I can buy much higher capacity drives (I have one that stores 8 gigabytes) but the prices are higher.

When I can buy a small capacity jump drive for $3.99, I can put data on it and give the drive away to a friend. At that price, I am not too concerned about every getting the drive back. For giving away a few hundred pictures or a lot of text, the $3.99 drive is the way to go.

- Dick Eastman
(in a hotel room in Syracuse)

[Dick Eastman]

---> if I put Family Tree info on a USB, and send it to my family, will they be able to get all the info?

Yes, IF....

1. You save the data in GEDCOM format. Any genealogy program can read that. Of course, that assumes that your family member has a genealogy program.

2. Save it in the native format of your genealogy program if your family member uses the same program, AND THE SAME VERSION of that program.

3. Create a report in your genealogy program, as if you are going to print it. However, instead of printing it, save it as a PDF file that looks just like printed pages.

4. My favorite solution: Do all three of the above.

- Dick Eastman

[Dick Eastman]

---> Does anyone know the life expectancy of data on a jump drive?

I would never use a jump drive for long term storage. They are too new and unproven. Nobody knows how long they will last but the "best guess" is that a jump drive is good only for a year or a very few years.

Of course, CD-ROM disks and floppy disks are PROVEN to be unreliable for anything more than a very few years' storage.

Today's paper with acids in it doesn't last much longer. Even then, the paper lasts longer than the toner used as "ink" in laser printers. If you print something on a laser printer and put it away for long term storage, years later you may find the paper is still OK but all the toner has fallen off, leaving a blank white page. The ink used in today's ink-jet printers isn't much better, it fades within a very few years. (Archival quality ink-jet cartridges are available for a few of the more expensive printers although they are expensive and difficult to find. You won't find archival ink-jet cartridges for the cheaper "consumer grade" ink-jet printers.)

Microfilm and microfiche was long the archival method of choice but is now disappearing as such equipment is no longer being manufactured. Even the Mormon Church had to abandon microfilm as they were no longer able to purchase new equipment as the old machines wore out.

Today's archivists have found that the only method of storing data for a long period of time is to do so electronically and then make new, multiple copies often. Leaving anything on the shelf for years, even on paper, means that you probably will lose it. The most reliable method is to copy, copy, copy and do so frequently. Always have multiple copies.

- Dick Eastman

[Dee]

For Cheryl, and other teachers -

You could also check on Ebay - you may be able to find some wholesale lots for a reasonable price, even including the shipping. You might also check with your local stores regarding teacher discounts. Many of the stores in area offer them, including Office Depot and I think Target and Walmart do also. You might even talk to the manager of the stores and see if they will donate some, or sell them to you for cost or halfprice or something.

[Lee]

I would be wary about using USB jump drives as additional RAM or even working directly from them. Although I have lost touch with recent developments, the technology (EEPROM) which I believe is still the basis of these devices (happy to be corrected by some one more up-to-date with the technology) used to only be guaranteed for 100,000 write cycles - fine for back up but many computer programs are continually writing to disk as you work and it mounts up quickly.

[Marilynn B]

Sony makes a micro drive stripped of all possible bulk. It is stored in a rubbery type of vinyl sleeve that grips the drive so that it doesn't slip out, yet you can remove it easily when you need it. The attached cord can be looped through a keychain or zipper pull. I keep one at all times in my purse on an internal zipper, plus one clipped to a zipper inside my laptop case. You can see them here:
http://www.sony.net/Products/Media/Microvault/usm-h.html

[Kitsty Biven]

I just purchased a water proof 1 GB thumb drive from Supermedia for $12.95. I choose a brand I had never used based on the recommendation of a reviewer. She had washed the thumb drive 5 times and it still worked great. Can't beat that. That works for me. This particular brand uses color codes to represent the amount of memory in the drive. It is convenient to drop in my bag and easier to find than my car keys. I find them to be invaluable.
Kitsy

[Bill Buchanan]

When sharing data on a flash drive, note that there are some programs that will run directly from a flash drive too, without needing to be installed on the host computer. Maybe include a copy of a pre-installed PAF5 folder (less than 9MB) to use the gedcom data and FoxIt (less than 3MB) to read the PDF documents. That still leaves 20MB for data on a 32MB flash drive.

[Joy]

to Happy Dae and anyone else:
If you insert a flash drive in a computer that you have administrative right to you can rename a flash drive anything you want. just double click on my computer and then right click on the drive you want to rename. select rename and type in a name. You can also use the return address labels to add you information to the drive. I also like the idea of the little round tags for information.

Joy

[Ruth]

I have two thumb or flash drives, and downloaded my FTM database to both about a year ago. My question is: If I connect it to my computer again, will it add any new info, or will it completely rewrite what's on there?

I'm having computer problems, and I don't want to lose the info.

[Lisa]

I love my 2 jump drives. I keep these with me wherever I go. Got the idea from fellow genealogists... they were always wearing them around their necks like a necklace. I have plenty of room on my one gig for the 500 photos I use with my PAF programs and the six families I research as well as important files from home. My daughter's friend broke the end off of hers and lost all her school work, so you have to show some caution. Also, leaving mine in my purse exposed it to dust. Its tip slides in and out, so there is no cap. It still works, but hesitates to open as readily as before. Now I keep it in a plastic baggie. I saw one jump drive being used at a family history center. The patron was copying images from a microfilm reader via a computer and saving those images onto her jump drive. No more hard copies!
Lisa

[LIsa]

To answer the question about over-writing your info - it won't do so unless you give the files the same names. Even then, it will ask you if you intended to over-write the info. I add a date at the end of my file names, so I know which data is the newest. Also, if your jump drive runs out of room for your new info, it will tell you and you can then either delete some other stuff or start using a new jump drive.
Lisa

[Grannie B]

Isn't it wonderful the way genealogists/family historians are so eager to help teach each other? I know of only a few other circumstances where this happens.

Grannie B

[Susie Perkins]

Being new to computer world and all the new options in cyber land, where would I find instrucions to use the flash drive? No instructions came with the flash drive I purchased, it is 256M. In the past several years I have received two Gedcoms. Both froze my computer and had to have a tech to the house to get it going again. I have seen instructions for a Gedcom and didn't copy them at the time. I use Family Tree Maker, when copying does it copy everything on the FTM or just the family you have open at the time? Any help would be appreciated. Sysie

[Dick Eastman]

---> where would I find instructions to use the flash drive? No instructions came with the flash drive I purchased...

Plug it into any computer (Windows or Macintosh) built within the past five years or so. Within a few seconds, it will appear as a new disk drive on your system. For instance, if you are using a Windows computer and your floppy drive is A: and if your hard drive is C: and your CD-ROM drive is D: and there are no other hard drives on your computer, the new jump drive will probably appear as E:. You can find it with Windows Explorer.

On a Macintosh, it will appear as a new hard drive on the desktop with a name assigned at the factory. (You can change that name, if you wish.)

Start reading and writing files or copying files to the new jump drive just like you do to any other drive. The only difference is this is now Drive E: or whatever drive letter was assigned by Windows (or whatever name appears on the Macintosh).

If you use Windows and are used to saving files in C:\MyFiles\ or some similar place, you can now save to E:\MyFiles\ or whatever place you wish. As far as Windows or Macintosh are concerned, it simply is another disk drive.

Do not unplug the jump drive until you tell Windows or Macintosh to stop using it or until you power down.

Details may be found in many places on the web, including at http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/Flashdrive/

- Dick Eastman

[Laura]

On a recent visit to NARA in DC, I noticed they sell 1GB jump drives for $25, $5 of which goes toward copies on a copy card.

[Ellen]

Costco had a 4GB for $40.00 and a $10 coupon in their booklet, so my newest drive cost $30. I like the "jewellery" idea and will check it out..

[Jim Bartlett]

In the DC area stores, the going sale price is $10/Gig; this weekend there was a 4G for $29, so the prices are still falling. Last year I bought a Swiss Army Knife with a 1G USB "blade", sissors, knife, file AND a mini-flashlight and ballpoint pen - I have all my key files "backed-up" on it and carry it everywhere. I can work on my documents and spreadsheets at the office, on trips, at hotels and friend's houses. Jim

[theKiwi]

Buy.com now have a 4 GB Kingston for $25 with free shipping

http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-4gb-datatraveler-usb-2-0-flash-drive/q/loc/101/204134644.html

Cheers

Roger

[Peggy LeBlanc]

OHHH... gotta get a Swiss Army knife like that for my hubby for Christmas.. got a link?

And that comment about neckties.. maybe the tie guys would make pockets in the ties for men, like cell phone pockets for women's purses. Hmmm... maybe I'll write WalMart.

This IS great. Thanks for all the comments. Love 'em!

[John Wylie]

I use a 16 gb USB drive to transport (and backup) my important data. However, I also use mozy.com as a much more reliable backup for all of my data. I keep this USB drive on a $1 lanyard around my neck so I'm less likely to leave it behind (though pulling a lanyard out of my shirt at the library requires only a bit less slight-of-hand than it might for my wife.) And it's durable, having now survived both a trip through the washing machine and a fall from a second floor balcony onto concrete (both incidents before I got the lanyard.)

To share files with associates I bought a pack of five 2 gb USB drives for $30 online. At $6 each, I worry less if I don't get them back. In fact I've given one away to a close friend and another to a family member.