Pen Drive - A Companion For All
This tiny little device seems to be the companion of every one today. This can be seen with a student, doctor, engineer, executive, film star, business man, journalist or any one that you can think of. This thumb sized device has very successfully replaced a floppy and to some extent the CD. What is it that makes a pen drive so indispensable?
A pen drive is a flash memory card that plugs into the computer`s USB port. This is a small and portable storage device. The memory space can range from 16MB to as much as 64GB. They can be written and rewritten almost unlimited number of times similar to a hard disk. They are very effectively used to transfer data from one machine to another.
They do not require any power, cable or drive reader. The speed of transfer of data is very quick and it is known by many names. They are also known by the brand names and some have synchronization software that keeps files updated between computers.
The memory of a pen drive is almost five times of a floppy. They are sometimes available in bulky shapes as well. The small sized ones can be carried as a key chain, as a pen hooked on to the outfit or can simply be hanged around the neck. They are very important peripherals of computers today.
Some pen drives have features that link all blue tooth devices, play MP3, WMA, and WMV, has integrated FM and voice recording functions. There is a four in one memory stick available that has built in tuner along with MP3 and WMA. Some are available with cameras and some have foldable USB plug that can be kept in the wallet.
Pen drives are a combination of old affordable technology and new research in microprocessor technology. This device is not very old and was introduced in market only in 2000 by a company in Singapore and later by IBM the same year. It soon became very popular.
They are available in any store with computer supplies. The prices may range from fifteen dollars to two hundred dollars. It is extensively used by youngsters for storage of not only data but also music. It can work as application carrying device without actually installing certain application on the hard disk. One can simply connect to the USB and start work. Lot of files can be archived on to the pen drive from hard disk while formatting or repairing it.
In a recent examination in a MBA institute all the students simply carried their thesis on a pen drive and plugged in to a lap top, which was connected to a projector just before their presentation. I was one of the panel members to judge the students and this was an amazing experience for me because even till ten to twelve years back, we were used to making slides on transparent sheets till just before our presentation. Some students even gave each of us a thumb drive with their data for our reference later.
Another interesting event that was a new experience for me was that of a student who used thumb drive effectively to market a product. He not only suggested some very innovative ideas to attract consumers and increase mind shares and create brand awareness but also handed out some very interesting graphics of the product on a pen drive. These pen drives were low on cost and had certain space for consumer`s use as well. So, each time the consumer would use it he would first see the stamp of the brand being promoted on the pen drive and then the short graphic that was loaded on it. This idea was well appreciated collectively by all.
Pen drive is a trendy peripheral that is used by one and all and is a great idea to gift individuals of all ages.
You can have access to portuguese articles about pen drives from page Pen_Drive
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil