Our Technology Blog
What Are YOU Looking For In A USB Drive?
Dec 3rd
Choosing a USB drive might seem easy in this day and age. Technologically speaking, there has never been a better time to get a hold of the best technology on the market. Drives are smaller, faster, and more stable than they have ever been before, after all. Still, all this advancement has come at a cost. There are also more brands than ever to choose from, as well as more silly bells and whistles. It can be difficult to make an educated decision between all the options on the market. You can’t just buy any drive on the market either though, as this is the device you will be using to store your information. You need to take the time to pick the best USB drive for your intended purpose.
The USB Flash Drive
This is by far the most common type of drive used to transfer information these days. A flash drive is removable and rewritable, it generally weighs less than an ounce and can store up to 256 GB. These drives can have a 10-year data retention cycle and may allow as many as a million write or erase cycles. These drives are great for temporary storage and portability, but there are some drawbacks to them as well. For one thing, though you can get a flash drive in nearly any design you like, they are small and easy to lose. They’re also easy to forget and send through the wash with your favorite jeans. In addition, you will find that after a certain number of write or erase cycles, the drives become unstable and are no longer useful. This type of drive is best used with information that you are interested in moving between machines rather than information you plan to store forever.
The External Hard Drive
External hard drives are set up much like the drives that run your computer. This means that they do have some fragilities, but they are different than those of the flash drive. An external hard drive is a much better choice for your critical system back up than your flash drive, but don’t expect to use it to carry music or projects from the home computer to a computer at work or school.
Confused About USB Devices?
Dec 2nd
The good news is that there’s not much to be confused about. Like any other technological device, USB devices are quite complicated when it comes to understanding their inner workings. But the layperson really only needs to know a few simple things about USB technology.
What is USB Anyway?
First and foremost, a USB or Universal Serial Bus is the device that allows one piece of technology (often a personal computer) to communicate with a second, separate device (such as a webcam or keyboard). That’s it. All in all, it seems rather simple, but the truth is that USB technology enables communication, which is one of the most important functions of our modern lives. This technology is not the only method that has been devised to do this, but it is increasingly taking over the market and replacing other options. These days, it has spread from its initially planned use in computers to a completely new set of devices, including smartphones, PDAs, and video game consoles.
What Can I Do With USB Technology?
The primary function of USB technology is to allow the communication of data between devices. This makes it an incredibly flexible technology and it can be harnessed in support of a wide variety of technical uses. Devices that can be used with USB technology include, but are definitely not limited to:
- Mice
- Keyboards
- Digital cameras
- Printers
- Personal media players
- Flash drives
- Network adapters
- External hard drives
Really, the possibilities are endless. The available devices that use USB technology range from entertaining little devices that connect to the computer to enable a disco ball to flash and spin in time with your music to devices that can be used as power cords for your machine to external hard drives that will make it possible for you to store your data safely in the long term. All of these devices use USB technology to connect and share data via your main device, the personal computer. Without it, your machine would be an island in a sea of technology. So if you’re confused about USBs then just remember that they are the modern answer to device communication and be glad you have them instead of floppy discs and serial ports.
Beginners Guide To The USB Memory Drive
Aug 19th
Since the USB memory drive has basically replaced the floppy drive and CD-ROM in terms of data storage options, it is probably time that you jump on the flash drive bandwagon. These gadgets are portable, easy-to-use, and will most likely store more data than you can ever imagine needing to remember. In case this is a new experience for you, here are a few things you should know about the USB.
Store More Than Just Data
Many people store more than just data on these small gadgets. For example, password information can be stored on a flash drive. This information is always nice to have, especially when you plug into a different computer. In addition, you can also store software on these devices. That allows you to plug in anywhere and run portable applications. This means you have the opportunity to be connected nearly anywhere that you go. This is particularly helpful for people that email a lot or need consistent access to a web browser.
Share Files Over A Network
A lot of times people assume that the only way to transfer files using a USB is to plug in the flash drive and transfer them from one computer to the next manually. However, with today’s technology, you can actually share files over a wireless network from a USB. This makes transferring files from computer to computer even simpler. And it is especially great for those that rely on USBs for extra storage.
Speed
Another great aspect about using USBs today is the speed in which they operate. USB 3.0 technology was just released providing for fast data transfer and seamless interaction between the computer and the flash drive. It makes data storage so easy. And you do not even have to worry about damaging the files on the USB device because it is so resilient.
Using USBs To Boost PC Performance
Aug 17th
There is nothing worst than a slow computer. It can impair performance and be frustrating to feel like you are sitting and waiting to get things down. Why is it that your computer is slow when it used to be so fast? Many times it is slow because it is thinking. This is particularly true with PCs that are constantly working over time to retain all of the information that they are being given.
Computer Memory
When you work at your computer, different types of memory are being stored. One type of memory that your computer stores is called RAM. RAM is physical memory. However, page file or virtual memory is also created on your computer and stored on the hard drive. Your computer’s operating system will rely on page file to help other applications when the physical memory is full. This happens because virtual memory is slower compared to physical memory, therefore physical memory takes first priority.
Windows Vista Users Can Boost PC Performance
Fortunately, anyone that runs Windows Vista can easily boost the performance of their PC using a technology that Windows created called ReadyBoost. This technology allows a flash drive to serve as a third memory source for a computer. It is an amazing option for anyone that is suffering from a poor performing computer and many people find that using this technology can extremely boost the performance of their PCs.
Benefits Of Flash Drive As A Memory Source
There are many benefits to using the flash drive as a memory source. First, it is apparently faster than virtual memory. This is because the computer has to access virtual memory from the hard disk drive. Secondly, this type of memory is a lot cheaper than physical memory. Why go buy more RAM when you can purchase an inexpensive USB flash drive and speed up your computer’s performance?
How To Run Software Directly From Your USB Flash Drive
Aug 15th
Today’s USB flash drives are extremely advanced. Chances are the one you own that you purchased a few years ago is not up to par with the standards offered by the USB devices on the market today. Many of the newer devices hold an extremely large amount of data. In addition, they are extremely fast. This makes them perfect for transferring data, backing up your hard drive, and other computer related activities. For example, many people are actually running software directly from these USB flash drives. Do you want to do the same? It is actually easier than you might think. Here’s how:
Portable Applications
First, you have to go to download software that will allow you to use portable applications on your USB. For Microsoft Windows, there are several options. However,the Portable Freeware Collection, LiberKey, WinPenPack, and PortableApps.com are all great options for download. If you run Mac OS, try OS X Portable Applications – FreeSMUG.
U3 Drive
The next step is determining if your drive is U3-compatible. If you have Windows, you should be able to click on the U3 logo in the systems tray and the menu should pop up. Any drives that are U-3 compatible should atomically install the software. And for other drives, you will install the files yourself.
Run The Program From Your USB Flash Drive
Next, run the program from the USB flash drive. You can run it from the U-3 menu or find it in a file in your USB flash drive. Either way, you should be able to run the program and begin using it. And because you now have the software on the USB flash drive, you can take it with you wherever you go and access on any computer you plug into. This tool can become very useful in many different situations.
Top Reasons To Invest In A USB Memory Drive
Aug 13th
In today’s day and age, the data you have on your computer is vital. Chances are you spend hours on your computer and losing your data or not having it when you need it could definitely put you in a bind. In the beginning, or when memory devices were first used, magnetic disks were very common. Today’s USB memory devices are similar to the disks yet more portable. Many people prefer them to other data storage alternatives. Here are some of the reasons people invest in USB memory drives:
Storage Space
One of the top reasons to purchase a USB memory device is because it will store a lot of information for you. Most of these devices hold approximately 1 to 2 gigs of data. In fact, they were designed for the storage and exchange of high volumes of data. Therefore, they are ideal for larger files or lots of data.
Speed
Another advantage that these devices have to offer is their speed. They transfer data at speeds anywhere from 30 to 60 Mbps. This means that you do not have to wait very long for the files to appear in the device. It is definitely a nice feature that many people appreciate.
Convenience
In addition, these devices are obviously convenient. They are almost small enough to get lost, but big enough that you will be able to find them if you are in need of something to store files on. The size makes it easy to transport and easy to use. It is not a complicated process. Instead, it is straightforward and simple.
Reliability
Lastly, a USB memory device is reliable. They have an extremely long life cycle. You can read and rewrite files on these devices approximately 1 million times. And they are also a lot safer to use than other storage devices. You do not risk damaging files when you use the USB device because it is extremely resilient.
What You Can Do With A USB Flash Drive
Aug 11th
Many people have USB flash drives for the purposes of storing data. This is obviously the standard reason to own one of these drives. However, if you do own one of these drives or are considering purchasing one, there are a lot of other things you can do with the drive. Here are some of the top uses that a USB flash drive is good for:
Run Portable Applications
Many people today are running portable applications with the use of their USB flash drive. OpenOffice is a complete office suite that can be accessed as a portable application. In addition, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird are also available for the use as portable applications. This means that you can take the most vital applications with you wherever you are and use them on the go.
Boot An Operating System
Another cool feature of the USB flash drive is the ability you have to boot from the flash drive entirely. This is great is you are having problems with your hard drive. However, you may have to learn how to correctly do it! The process can be complicated at first.
Connect To A Wireless Network
Also, for those that have a wireless network they are accessing, you might want to consider saving the configuration information to the USB flash drive. Then you can connect wirelessly with other computers easily. Windows software can easily help you do this.
Create A Password Reset Disk
Do you ever forget the passwords you have created? It is sometimes hard to remember them all with the requirements that some sites require. However, if you create a password reset disk on your USB, you will be able to remember passwords in a pinch. This may come in handy when you least expect it and you will be glad that you took the time to use this feature of your flash drive.
What Is Micro USB?
Aug 9th
With so many technology advancements today it is not surprising if you find it difficult to keep up with all of them. One gadget that may become important to you is a micro USB. It is particularly important to those that cannot live without their phones. But what is it exactly?
The Specs Of A Micro USB
A standard USB connects to peripheral devices such as keyboards, computers, and more. Many people rely on this gadget for data storage and data transferring. It has become a standard in terms of connectivity today. The micro USB is a mini version of this standard USB. It offers enhanced technology in a smaller size. And because of its portability, this gadget can be useful in many devices including cell phones and PDAs.
Do They Work With Computers?
One of the main concerns for a prospective user is whether or not this technology will work with normal computers – especially if you are transferring data from your phone to your computer. The answer is yes. However, you may need a special plug given the thin nature of the
micro USB.
Advantages Of The Micro USB
There are many benefits to this new technology. Obviously, the main benefit is the size. Cell phones and PDAs are continually becoming smaller and thinner making larger USBs more difficult to use. Therefore, the micro USB is the ideal option in terms of data storage when it comes to small gadgets today. Its design is particularly attractive – just make sure you don’t lose it! Also, another benefit of this product is the durability. According to reviews, the micro USB is very durable. It has a stainless steel shell, making it very transportable and secure. Lastly, micro USBs support communication directly between portable devices without the assistance of a computer. This is a major advancement that many people in the tech world are thrilled about.
Top 10 USB Gadgets
Aug 7th
If you are a tech junkie, than you probably enjoy playing around with gadgets. Technology today provides us with several different gadgets allowing us to experiencing new things and to be entertained. And many of these gadgets use USB technology. Here is a list of the top ten USB gadgets that you might want to check out:
- USB Plasma Ball-The USB plasma ball is a popular gadget for many work stations. It is a great novelty item that will definitely add some flair to your desk!
- USB Greenhouse-How cool is this? A greenhouse powered by a USB. It may take a while to grow a plant in this gadget, but you will enjoy the process.
- USB Hamster Wheel-This gadget is simply funny. The digital hamsters have great character and the speed of the wheel is based on your typing speed – even better!
- USB Disco Ball-This toy is one of the most popular. It flashes throughout the day when it is plugged into your computer. Surprisingly, many people find it to be relaxing.
- USB Coffee Warmer-This is definitely practical. How annoying is it when your coffee gets cold after a long meeting? The coffee warmer keeps it at an ideal temperature!
- USB Harddrive-Do you need to prevent data loss? Perhaps you should invest in a USB Harddrive. This could be an essential piece of equipment if you are in a bind at the office.
- USB Missile Launcher-Need a break from all that hard work? Take out your USB missile launder and aim it at coworkers that are bugging you. It’s a great way to relieve stress!
- USB Phone-Do you make a lot of international phone calls at work? Free VoIP is an ideal way to take advantage of the USB on your computer. All you need is a USB phone.
- USB Drum Kit-Make drumming noises using your fingers with the USB drum kit. It is hilarious, entertaining and a great desk accessory. Plug this tool in and play!
- USB Chameleon-Looking for an animal to roll its eyes at you and stick out its tongue? The chameleon will answer your call!!!
Connectivity And TVs
Aug 5th
We live in a day where connectivity has become standard. It is practically vital to be connected wherever you go. This is why people carry around phones with email and facebook in the grocery store line or text their co-workers during lunch breaks. And just like we crave connectivity in our social circles, we also want to be connected technologically.
TV Technology
One of the major areas of technological advancement in the past few years has been seen in televisions. A few years ago tivo was a phenomenon. Now it has become standard. Now, there are people with stereo tuners, apple tv, a dvd player capable of streaming Netflix movies, and 3 tivos to ensure that nothing is missed. If that isn’t connectivity, who knows what is? The last thing someone wants is to miss something that is on tv, especially when they have the tools available to ensure it will not happen.
How Does A TV Support All Of These Tools?
Do you ever wonder if your tv will go into overload after using all these tools everyday? It is a scary thought – especially if you own an expensive plasma. However, there are gadgets that can help connect the devices properly from their power source to the tv. This way, you won’t have an overload. Instead, everything runs smoothly. Most likely your cable guy can helped you out with this.
For The Best Connectivity
However, for the best connectivity, new tvs will have USB capability. This means that they will have USB plugs much like your computer. In fact, there are already 2 tvs that support this technology. Check out the Toshiba REGZA and the Samsung B700. With USB technology, you will be even better connected to your tv devices. This means faster and more reliable transfer of data – something any tv lover will definitely appreciate.