| Looking for larger space to store data and easy-to-operate storage medium. Then, pen drive is the right choice |
Transfer of large amount of data from one computer to another has always created problems, one of main reason being non-availability of suitable data storage device. To be precise, Storage mediums like floppy, CD and even Email have always failed during urgency due to their problem causing ability like small storage space or time-consuming ability for data transfer.
A possible solution to end this problem is use of zip drive. With up to 250MB capacity we can store everything we want and more on it. But in order for a proper transfer process to take place, both the computer systems must have zip drives. In addition, it more expensive compared to old floppy disk system. So what is the remedy to all these problems?
Pen Drive is the solution to the problem. Pen Drive can hold more data compared to floppy disk and Email space. Basically, Pen drive is a small key-ring-size device that can be used to easily transfer files between USB-compatible systems. It is accessed through the USB port on the computer. It has a capacity to hold data ranging from 11 to 350 floppy disks depending on the memory stick you choose. You can transfer data faster and easier than ever before. Pen drives are faster than downloading data via e-mail and much easier than using boxes of floppies. They are no bigger than the length of your finger, but hold data from 16 MB to I GB.
USB pen drives provide data, music and video transfers and storage with plug-and-play ease. The best feature of Pen Drive is that it doesn`t require any software to work, enabling the process of reading, writing and copying to or from a disk drive simple. Furthermore, it also doesn`t require any battery to operate. Hence, a pen drive is totally portable. Attach it to your key chain, belt, or wear it around your neck.
Basics about universal serial bus (USB) required for Pen drive.
USB
USB is an external peripheral interface standard developed by the computer industry to allow communication between a computer and external peripherals (digital device) over a cable using bi-serial transmission. Usually, digital cameras and memory card readers connect to the USB port on a computer. USB card readers are typically faster compared to cameras or readers that connect to the serial port, but slower than those that connect via FireWire.
The USB port is usually found at the back of the PC. It is a narrow socket around 1cm wide and 0.5cm high. You can plug a USB pen drive only into USB port. In some PCs, the USB port is located on the front below the CD-ROM drive.
Note:
For Windows 2000, XP, or ME USB driver need not be installed manually as the operating system will do it automatically. But, in case of Windows 95/98/98SE, drivers need to be installed manually (the driver is supplied along with the drive).
How to use it?
To transfer required Data of a P.C into Pen drive or vice-versa, simply plug the Pen drive into the USB port of your PC. The operating system will automatically detect installation of a new device and a new drive will be created. The operating system can access your pen drive just like any ordinary hard disk drive.
Now, Copy all the required files you want into the `new` drive and wait for the response by the Pen drive--indicated by read/write LED on the pen drive, to stop flashing and then disconnect it. Your files are now safely stored on your pen drive. If you want to copy these files to another PC/ Mac, just plug the drive in the new machine, wait for it to be detected and copy the files.
Working and cost
The working of Pen drive is based on flash memory. The flash memory-a type of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) chip.
Note:
Basically, EEPROM is a type of ROM that can be erased electronically and reprogrammed in-circuit (or with a device programmer) consisting of a complex grid of columns and rows. Hence, bytes (words) of an EEPROM can be erased individually.
The main reason why flash memory is quicker than older EEPROM is that entire banks can be erased at a time and subsequently rewritten.
The 32MB pen drive costs around $15, while the 1GB pen drive costs as high as $100; however, the purchase is worth the money.
Transparent pen drive
Flash Dio is a transparent pen drive. Frankly speaking, there is hardly any difference between the two except for few new features such as extra protection for write/delete switch from accidental erases. ¶ 8:59 AM 0 comments
Understanding the RIAA Lawsuits
Since the first round of RIAA lawsuits, there has been a lot of concern and many misconceptions over where the lines of legality are drawn. The following guidelines should help you understand what's legal, what's not, and what you can do to ensure you're not breaking any laws.
Downloading from the Internet is legal
This is a good place to start. No matter what fears may have been stirred up surrounding music downloading after the RIAA lawsuits, the first thing you should know is that it is 100% legal to download music from the Internet.
There are plenty of legal downloading services that offer music for a per-download or subscription fee.Not all Internet music downloading is legal
I hate to say it, but the best red flag that you're illegally downloading music is that your music is free and downloaded from a P2P file sharing network. If it is copyrighted (excluding music designated as free using a Creative Commons license or EFF's Open Audio License), especially from a major label, someone will be upset about missing royalties. While there are places where you can find free promotional downloads and free rights music from popular (and not so popular) artists, this is the exception, and most files shared on P2P networks are not this kind of file.
The Facts
To be as specific/technical as possible, downloading copyrighted material without expressed permission is illegal. Such music must be purchased in order to be legal.
Here are some precautions that you can take to safeguard yourself against an RIAA lawsuit:
- Very simply put, pay for your music. This is by far the easiest and most full-proof way to ensure that you won't be sued by the RIAA. Basically, you won't be sued if you don't do anything illegal. Obvious enough, right?
- So far, the RIAA has only sued users sharing more than 1,000 songs. If you are illegally downloading music, I can't promise you that there is no lawsuit in your future. Keep in mind that, despite the fact that file sharers sharing less than 1,000 songs have avoided lawsuits so far, the illegal downloading of music is still that--illegal.
Hopefully this has cleared up some of the cobwebs of uncertainty surrounding downloading music using the Internet. And now that you know the limitations, get out there and find yourself a digital music downloading service!
Microsoft has released official information about their upcoming Zune brand of digitalentertainment devices and services, which has the unstated goal of toppling the Apple iPod/iTunes empire. The computer software giant stated the products are “designed around the principles of sharing, discovery and community”.
Zune 30GB Player:
The first Zune product out of the gate on Nov. 14, 2006 will be a 30GB portable media player, priced at $249.99, which can play and store up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 digital pictures or 100 hours of video. This device, which will be available in black, brown or white, includes built-in wireless technology so one can share full length sample tracks, playlists, pictures and personally recorded audio directly from Zune to Zune.Sharing of any audio has a set limitation of only being enjoyed by the receiver up to three times in three days and may not work with all sample tracks.
Sample tracks shared in this way can also not be passed along to another Zune from the person who was the original recipient.
Zune Marketplace:
Music which is shared from Zune to Zune and found enjoyable by the recipient can be flagged for later online purchase from the Zune Marketplace, which is Microsoft’s answer to the Apple iTunes Store. The Zune Marketplace will offer “a huge selection of music” which can be bought and synced with the Zune player. This marketplace works with Microsoft Points – a prepaid online currency Microsoft uses currently through Xbox Live Marketplace – so one can purchase music without needing to input a credit card. 
Also, Zune Marketplace users will have the choice of individual music download purchases fo
r 79 Microsoft Points per song or a subscription based model for $14.99 per month, which is similar to the current PlaysForSure type online music services used by a variety of Microsoft allied MP3 player manufacturers such as Creative and iriver.
More Zune Player Features:
Besides the wireless sharing and Zune Marketplace, other features talked about by Microsoft in t
oday’s announcement include being able to customize one of the three base body colors by combining each “with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another” as well as using personal pictures or themes on screen; a 3-inch LCD video screen which allows for viewing in portrait or landscape mode; on the go playlists support; digital photo slide show viewing with listening to music;a built-in FM tuner; and support through included Zune software for importing of existing music, pictures and video from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats (audio files in unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264).This import function can also work with existing playlists and song ratings, though this can vary depending upon the online service the music was purchased from, if any. The previously mentioned software also notifies the Zune owner when new software updates are available for download.
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