I have a Lexar also and in addition to the abuse Mike has mentioned, they also can survive washer and dryer cycles. My son ran mine through (when it was his) and when I mentioned it to a guy at church, his son had done the same with his (also a Lexar). While I don't recommend doing this deliberately, it does show how hardy they are. Try doing that with a floppy! Linda -----Original Message----- From: Mike Fairleigh [mailto:mike.fairleigh@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 4:53 PM To: PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PAF-5] What is a Flash Drive? It's really the greatest thing since beer (er, sliced bread). I have a 256MB one that I used for about a year before I replaced it with a 512MB one. They hold astonishing amounts of data. The ones that conform to the USB 2.0 standard are amazingly fast (assuming, of course, you plug it into a USB 2.0 port). They essentially work just like a hard drive that you can unplug and take with you. They require no additional software or drivers to work (unless you're using Win98), so they're completely self-contained and a no-brainer to use. Unless the USB ports on your PC are easy to access, it's a good idea to invest in a USB hub. Actually, I've found that between digital cameras, GPS's, iPods, iPaq's, external hard drives, scanners, printers, etc., that having a USB hub today is almost a necessity. Both my flash drives are Lexar Media brand, the model is "Jump Drive 2.0 Pro". Amazon sells them in all the various capacities (up to 1GB!) and has always had the best price when I've looked. I wear my 512MB drive on a clip on my belt all day long so it gets banged into door jambs, seat belt buckles, etc. I've never had the slightest problem with it or my 256MB unit. I'm pretty fastidious when it comes to having data backed up, so I created an executable script on my desktop PC so that when I have the JumpDrive plugged in, I can simply double-click an icon and it backs up the JumpDrive to a folder on my desktop. It only backs up files that have changed since the last time I ran the script, so this step only takes a few seconds (literally) to run. Then, every week or so I run a system backup to an external hard drive that backs up everything on the desktop. I'll be putting my 256MB unit on eBay one of these days soon, in case anyone's interested in a deal. It's in virtually brand-new condition. Mike ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List Search http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=PAF-5-USERS

On Thu, 10 Mar 2005, Donna wrote: > How can you find out what speed your USB port is? If you have the slower > port, can nothing be done but buy a newer PC? Donna Donna, the slower port on my 3-year-old Dell (and my 256MB Kingston DataTraveler, which is -- if I have the terminology right -- only "full speed" instead of "high speed") -- are still blazing fast by my modest standards. Loads in a few seconds. My entire largish PAF file takes 2 percent of the flash drive/thumb drive capacity. Perhaps someone with very large photo files would need more. I'll pass along one caution I was given -- some of the "curvy" cases, while cute, will not work on some computers because of inadequate space to plug them into the USB port. (Richard, is that true or nonsense?) My Kingston is just a silvery rectangle, less than 3 inches by one inch, about 1/4 inch thick, very lightweight, weighs less than the thin lanyard. My 12-year-old grandson said it looked "cool." My son-in-law said the pros at his office call them "geek pendants." I'll go with "cool." Cheers, Dolly in Maryland

-----Original Message----- From: Richard Rands <<Someone else mentioned the issue of USB 1 vs. USB 2, so it may be good to provide a little bit more info about this to help some of you avoid problems. If your machine is more than about a year old, your USB ports (if you have them) will more than likely be USB1.1 which are considerably slower than the new USB 2 ports. USB 1.1 runs at about 11 Mps whereas the USB 2.0 ports run at 480 Mps. Before you decide to purchase a Flash Drive, you ought to be sure you know what speed your computer's port is. Also, if you need to purchase a hub to add more USB ports, you need not buy a USB 2.0 hub if your computer is only a USB 1.1 port.>> How can you find out what speed your USB port is? If you have the slower port, can nothing be done but buy a newer PC? Donna

Just adding my 2 cents here. No Donna, you don't need to get a new computer. Although USB 1 is slower than 2, it's not that much slower, it's a matter of seconds. I can use the same flash drive on my 7 yo desktop and on my brand new laptop. I doubt that I'd be able to count a significant number of seconds difference in the time it takes to access or save a file. I'm talking our kind of files here, not huge big data dumps. Our PAF files usually aren't that huge in terms of these flash drives. My geek son just advised me that all USB drives produced now will be version 2 and are backwards compatible, meaning they will work on computers with USB 1. Should you happen to find a USB 1 flash drive, it will be something found in an old backroom and on sale, which will probably be a great temptation; but although it will probably work with the older computers, pre version 2, it will not be compatible on the new computers with USB 2. So you don't need to get a new computer, just a jump drive, assuming you do have a USB port on your computer. Another note though. You do need to check that your version of windows is compatible with the flash drive. If you are running Windows 98, it "may" not be compatible. However, my Lexar says 98SE, but the drivers worked fine on my 98 (non SE) computer. 2000 and above, again according to geek son, don't need any extra driver downloads as those versions can recognize the flash drive. So check the package carefully to be sure it will work with your version of windows. Linda -----Original Message----- From: Donna [mailto:dkcooper6@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 6:29 PM To: PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [PAF-5] What is a Flash Drive/ -----Original Message----- From: Richard Rands <<Someone else mentioned the issue of USB 1 vs. USB 2, so it may be good to provide a little bit more info about this to help some of you avoid problems. If your machine is more than about a year old, your USB ports (if you have them) will more than likely be USB1.1 which are considerably slower than the new USB 2 ports. USB 1.1 runs at about 11 Mps whereas the USB 2.0 ports run at 480 Mps. Before you decide to purchase a Flash Drive, you ought to be sure you know what speed your computer's port is. Also, if you need to purchase a hub to add more USB ports, you need not buy a USB 2.0 hub if your computer is only a USB 1.1 port.>> How can you find out what speed your USB port is? If you have the slower port, can nothing be done but buy a newer PC? Donna ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== RootsWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/

By Flash Drives you mean the USB Thumb drives, right? I don't think they are a fad that will go away soon. They are sooooooooo much better than CDs, I can edit right on it, it is fast, it is small, light, easy to carry (I used a lanyard around my neck). I have never had known someone who had a problem With one of them, but I am willing to accept that some People do, but remember a few years ago the horror Stories we heard about the first CDs? I almost never use a 3" disk, or a CD anymore with the Exception of my periodic backups where I send copies Off to my sisters. Alan Jones alanjones10@cox.net Mission Viejo, California, USA -----Original Message----- From: ENC6@aol.com [mailto:ENC6@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 11:23 PM To: PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PAF-5] CD and/or floppy Hi Sherrie, Just a quick comment.... I don't know how long flash drives will last. Perhaps they haven't been around long enough to know for sure. But I have had one for 4 years now and it is still going with no problem. Take care - Emma In a message dated 3/9/2005 11:07:20 PM Central Standard Time, apperson@ix.netcom.com writes: Both methods have drawbacks, but if we're aware of them we can work around and avoid them as much as possible. I sure wish the 3" CD's were more available and less expensive. And I think you have to be careful in depending on the flash drives for long term storage. They're GREAT for transferring data from one place to another, but I've heard that they eventually burn out after a lot of use. Good luck to us all, Sherrie Apperson ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List http://www.ausbdm.org/p5uindex.php

I think they are talking about the little things that look like a key chain bob. They are about the size of a person's thumb. You plug them into a USB port On your computer and you can use it like another harddrive. Except you can Unplug it and take it with you. I got one that has 256MBs on it, so equal to About 200 floppy disks. Alan Jones alanjones10@cox.net Mission Viejo, California, USA -----Original Message----- From: Mary Gagne [mailto:MaryEllen@satx.rr.com] Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 9:00 AM To: PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PAF-5] CD and/or floppy What exactly is a flash drive? Mel ENC6@aol.com wrote: >Hi Sherrie, >Just a quick comment.... >I don't know how long flash drives will last. Perhaps they haven't >been >around long enough to know for sure. But I have had one for 4 years now and it is >still going with no problem. >Take care - Emma > > >In a message dated 3/9/2005 11:07:20 PM Central Standard Time, >apperson@ix.netcom.com writes: > >Both methods have drawbacks, but if we're aware of them we can work >around and avoid them as much as possible. I sure wish the 3" CD's were >more available and less expensive. And I think you have to be careful in >depending on the flash drives for long term storage. They're GREAT for >transferring data from one place to another, but I've heard that they >eventually burn out after a lot of use. > >Good luck to us all, >Sherrie Apperson > > >==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== >PAF-5-USERS Mailing List >http://www.ausbdm.org/p5uindex.php > > > > ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List Archives http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/PAF-5-USERS/

If you have an available PCI slot inside the computer, there are add-on USB cards you can use. I was just looking at a card that has 2 Firewire and 3 USB 2.0 ports for $59.95. See http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=CxDQMl8jwZ!-1164899179?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=289614&is=REG For $15 you can get a 2-port USB 2.0 card. Gary Templeman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Donna" <dkcooper6@comcast.net> To: <PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 5:28 PM Subject: RE: [PAF-5] What is a Flash Drive/ > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Richard Rands > > <<Someone else mentioned the issue of USB 1 vs. USB 2, so it may be good to > provide a little bit more info about this to help some of you avoid > problems. If your machine is more than about a year old, your USB ports > (if you have them) will more than likely be USB1.1 which are considerably > slower than the new USB 2 ports. USB 1.1 runs at about 11 Mps whereas the > USB 2.0 ports run at 480 Mps. Before you decide to purchase a Flash Drive, > you ought to be sure you know what speed your computer's port is. Also, if > you need to purchase a hub to add more USB ports, you need not buy a USB > 2.0 hub if your computer is only a USB 1.1 port.>> > > How can you find out what speed your USB port is? If you have the slower > port, can nothing be done but buy a newer PC? > Donna > > > > > > > > ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== > RootsWeb > http://www.rootsweb.com/ >

The Zippy Pluggy Thing plugs into a USB port...many computers only have one or two USB ports, limiting the accessories you can use...you may want to get a USB hub which plugs into one of the USB ports on your computer but then provides about four new USB ports...sort of like an extension cord with multiple outlets, enabling you to use several accessories that require a USB port.

Someone else mentioned the issue of USB 1 vs. USB 2, so it may be good to provide a little bit more info about this to help some of you avoid problems. If your machine is more than about a year old, your USB ports (if you have them) will more than likely be USB1.1 which are considerably slower than the new USB 2 ports. USB 1.1 runs at about 11 Mps whereas the USB 2.0 ports run at 480 Mps. Before you decide to purchase a Flash Drive, you ought to be sure you know what speed your computer's port is. Also, if you need to purchase a hub to add more USB ports, you need not buy a USB 2.0 hub if your computer is only a USB 1.1 port. That said, you can run a 2.0 Flash drive on a USB 1.1 port, but it will only work at the slower speed. So if you expect to upgrade your machine relatively soon, I would go ahead and purchase a 2.0 flash drive so that when you get your new machine, it will take advantage of the higher speed. Richard Rands At 05:56 PM 3/10/2005 -0500, Nhelbert@aol.com wrote: >The Zippy Pluggy Thing plugs into a USB port...many computers only have one >or two USB ports, limiting the accessories you can use...you may want to >get a > USB hub which plugs into one of the USB ports on your computer but then >provides about four new USB ports...sort of like an extension cord with >multiple >outlets, enabling you to use several accessories that require a USB port. > > >==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== >FreeBMD - Free Access to England and Wales Civil Registration Index >Volunteer as a Transcriber Today! >http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/

It's really the greatest thing since beer (er, sliced bread). I have a 256MB one that I used for about a year before I replaced it with a 512MB one. They hold astonishing amounts of data. The ones that conform to the USB 2.0 standard are amazingly fast (assuming, of course, you plug it into a USB 2.0 port). They essentially work just like a hard drive that you can unplug and take with you. They require no additional software or drivers to work (unless you're using Win98), so they're completely self-contained and a no-brainer to use. Unless the USB ports on your PC are easy to access, it's a good idea to invest in a USB hub. Actually, I've found that between digital cameras, GPS's, iPods, iPaq's, external hard drives, scanners, printers, etc., that having a USB hub today is almost a necessity. Both my flash drives are Lexar Media brand, the model is "Jump Drive 2.0 Pro". Amazon sells them in all the various capacities (up to 1GB!) and has always had the best price when I've looked. I wear my 512MB drive on a clip on my belt all day long so it gets banged into door jambs, seat belt buckles, etc. I've never had the slightest problem with it or my 256MB unit. I'm pretty fastidious when it comes to having data backed up, so I created an executable script on my desktop PC so that when I have the JumpDrive plugged in, I can simply double-click an icon and it backs up the JumpDrive to a folder on my desktop. It only backs up files that have changed since the last time I ran the script, so this step only takes a few seconds (literally) to run. Then, every week or so I run a system backup to an external hard drive that backs up everything on the desktop. I'll be putting my 256MB unit on eBay one of these days soon, in case anyone's interested in a deal. It's in virtually brand-new condition. Mike

Flash Drive, USB Drive, Flash Memory, Removable Mass Storage Device, (or as my daughter calls it, the Zippy Pluggy Thingy:-) that stores data, pictures, and music files. A flash drive is a very small memory device that will plug directly into the USB port of your computer (more convenient when you have a USB port on the front of your computer, but you could run an extension cable from the back). Where a floppy disk holds 1.44MB of data, a flash drive will hold 64MB - 256MB (maybe more). It is small, easy to use, easy to carry around (most come with a lanyard to hang around your neck), holds a LOT of data, and is apparently quite durable as far as the external case is concerned. They usually cost about $30-$60. I've had mine for a couple of years and don't want to do without it. However, I only use mine for transferring data from one computer to another, sharing to someone else's computer, and short-term back-up until I can burn to a CD. I am concerned about using it as a long-term permanent back-up solution because, as Rod shared with us, his developed a loose contact, and his laptop stopped recognizing it. I've also heard (from a large corporation's System Administrator) that they eventually lose the ability to retain data reliably. Think of using a floppy disk over and over and over, reformatting, reusing, reformatting reusing . . . . . You would eventually run it into the ground. However, for the amount and purposes that I use my flash drive, I think it is a wonderful tool, and I will continue to use it and then get a new one if I need to. I just won't use it for long-term permanent storage. Hope this helps, Sherrie Mary Gagne wrote: > What exactly is a flash drive? > > Mel

In a message dated 3/10/2005 8:02:01 A.M. Central Standard Time, PAF-5-USERS-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: I really like my 2 flash drives for backing up & transferring PAF files, but one quickly developed a loose contact in the USB connector, making it unreliable. That connector cannot be protected by the shell. Then, my notebook computer stopped recognizing that drive's software, preventing its use to transfer files between computers. Rod

What exactly is a flash drive? Mel ENC6@aol.com wrote: >Hi Sherrie, >Just a quick comment.... >I don't know how long flash drives will last. Perhaps they haven't been >around long enough to know for sure. But I have had one for 4 years now and it is >still going with no problem. >Take care - Emma > > >In a message dated 3/9/2005 11:07:20 PM Central Standard Time, >apperson@ix.netcom.com writes: > >Both methods have drawbacks, but if we're aware of them we can work >around and avoid them as much as possible. I sure wish the 3" CD's were >more available and less expensive. And I think you have to be careful in >depending on the flash drives for long term storage. They're GREAT for >transferring data from one place to another, but I've heard that they >eventually burn out after a lot of use. > >Good luck to us all, >Sherrie Apperson > > >==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== >PAF-5-USERS Mailing List >http://www.ausbdm.org/p5uindex.php > > > >

When I got my new computer, I found it didn't have the small floppy drive, but I solved that problem. I bought one that just plugs in, rather than get one installed. . Works just great. Mel Sherrie Apperson wrote: > Whether we like it or not, we're probably all eventually going to have > to learn to deal with all the quirks of saving to CD's and flash drives. > > One factor that no one has touched on yet is that most new computers > don't come with a floppy drive at all. We've had at least 6 people > come into our FHC not knowing what to do because they bought new > computers and didn't even notice until it was too late that there was > no floppy drive. It also creates a problem with some of the Church's > software that asks for a floppy -- you have to trick it into accepting > a CD or flash drive. I'm in the process of writing up a "How To" list > for saving and retrieving information on CD's and flash drives. > > Both methods have drawbacks, but if we're aware of them we can work > around and avoid them as much as possible. I sure wish the 3" CD's > were more available and less expensive. And I think you have to be > careful in depending on the flash drives for long term storage. > They're GREAT for transferring data from one place to another, but > I've heard that they eventually burn out after a lot of use. > > Good luck to us all, > Sherrie Apperson > > > ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== > PAF-5-USERS Mailing List > http://www.ausbdm.org/p5uindex.php > >

Hi Sherrie, Just a quick comment.... I don't know how long flash drives will last. Perhaps they haven't been around long enough to know for sure. But I have had one for 4 years now and it is still going with no problem. Take care - Emma In a message dated 3/9/2005 11:07:20 PM Central Standard Time, apperson@ix.netcom.com writes: Both methods have drawbacks, but if we're aware of them we can work around and avoid them as much as possible. I sure wish the 3" CD's were more available and less expensive. And I think you have to be careful in depending on the flash drives for long term storage. They're GREAT for transferring data from one place to another, but I've heard that they eventually burn out after a lot of use. Good luck to us all, Sherrie Apperson

An Iomega Zip Drive works well. The Zip 100 is inexpensive now, and the discs are frequently on sale. I've reused my earliest ones many times with no problems. Of course, Zip Drives aren't available everywhere as CD drives and floppy drives are, so they wouldn't be much help at FHC, etc. It's nice to be able to pop the back-up zip disc into my home media safe, though. The Iomega Zip Drive is my favorite back-up storage for data and photos. Also consider getting a Google Mail E-mail address. There is a huge amount of storage associated with it. Every day I add to my genealogy file, I send a copy to my Google Mail address and archive it there. Not sure how safe it is from hackers, so may not be suitable for sensitive information, but great for genealogy data. Sorry if I'm repeating suggestions someone else has provided earlier.

Regarding the durability of flash drives, here is an excerpt from a review from C-Net on a SanDisk flash drive: "Besides lending it a dash of style, the SanDisk Cruzer Titanium's "titanium-coated metal casing" gives it an exceptionally high degree of durability. SanDisk says this USB flash drive is "virtually indestructible" and is "capable of surviving a force of up to 2,000 pounds." "We couldn't track down a 2,000-pound weight to drop on it to test this claim, but we stomped on it, tried to crack it in half, and chucked it really hard at a wall. The drive and its contents survived wholly undisturbed, and we concede that the Cruzer Titanium is certainly among the sturdiest USB flash drives around." Richard Rands At 02:22 AM 3/10/2005 -0500, ENC6@aol.com wrote: >Hi Sherrie, >Just a quick comment.... >I don't know how long flash drives will last. Perhaps they haven't been >around long enough to know for sure. But I have had one for 4 years now >and it is >still going with no problem. >Take care - Emma > > >In a message dated 3/9/2005 11:07:20 PM Central Standard Time, >apperson@ix.netcom.com writes: > >Both methods have drawbacks, but if we're aware of them we can work >around and avoid them as much as possible. I sure wish the 3" CD's were >more available and less expensive. And I think you have to be careful in >depending on the flash drives for long term storage. They're GREAT for >transferring data from one place to another, but I've heard that they >eventually burn out after a lot of use. > >Good luck to us all, >Sherrie Apperson > > >==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== >PAF-5-USERS Mailing List >http://www.ausbdm.org/p5uindex.php

Whether we like it or not, we're probably all eventually going to have to learn to deal with all the quirks of saving to CD's and flash drives. One factor that no one has touched on yet is that most new computers don't come with a floppy drive at all. We've had at least 6 people come into our FHC not knowing what to do because they bought new computers and didn't even notice until it was too late that there was no floppy drive. It also creates a problem with some of the Church's software that asks for a floppy -- you have to trick it into accepting a CD or flash drive. I'm in the process of writing up a "How To" list for saving and retrieving information on CD's and flash drives. Both methods have drawbacks, but if we're aware of them we can work around and avoid them as much as possible. I sure wish the 3" CD's were more available and less expensive. And I think you have to be careful in depending on the flash drives for long term storage. They're GREAT for transferring data from one place to another, but I've heard that they eventually burn out after a lot of use. Good luck to us all, Sherrie Apperson

When you use the backup procedure from within PAF you get a .zip file. You can also create a direct copy of your .paf file and burn it to a CD or save on other media. In neither case would you end up with a GEDCOM file. If you wanted, you could export your entire database as a GEDCOM file and burn it to a CD (or tape drive, or even a floppy if it would fit). All three of those file would be *types* of backups in the generic sense, but only the .zip would be a "backup file". The GEDCOM route is more complex and takes more time. The .zip file created by PAF can span multiple files and that is what I use for my routine backups. I have appended below my message of 2/27/05 regarding backups which might give you some additional information Gary Templeman A typical problem I find when working with patrons at our FHC is they try to *open* a backup file rather than *restore* a backup file. When opening doesn't work they think the file is corrupted. The difficulty comes about because we mix terminology. The PRINCIPLE of backing up can be fulfilled either by creating a *backup file*, which is a specific file and uses a .zip extension, OR by creating a *copy* of the original .paf file. By the same token, the terms open and restore have precise meanings but are often used or interchanged incorrectly. If the*backup* is a copy, then it should be *opened*, using the same program that created it. If the *backup* is a true backup file then the way to retrieve it is to use the *restore* command. If you try to restore a .paf file, or try to open a .zip file, neither will work. It therefore becomes essential to specify and understand the differences between a backup copy and a backup file. The second most common error I see with patrons is thinking they are saving their backup (of whatever type) to a floppy, only to arrive at the FHC with a blank disk. Invariably they actually saved the file to their hard drive. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Gagne" <MaryEllen@satx.rr.com> To: <PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 4:13 PM Subject: Re: [PAF-5] CD and/or floppy > When you back up your PAF files, do they always go in a GED format? How > do you just copy them to a CD? > > Mel >

When you back up your PAF files, do they always go in a GED format? How do you just copy them to a CD? Mel Richard Rands wrote: > At 02:09 PM 3/9/2005, alanjones10@cox.net wrote: > >> I think you asked is there a reason to prefer CD-RW over a floppy for >> back-ups: >> >> The answer is Floppies hold 1.44 MB, CD's hold 700 MB. >> Also Floppies are magnetic so a magnet can erase them, CDs are >> optical it would take a laser to erase them. >> >> I save my files like JONES2005-01-01 and then JONES2005-01-02, etc. >> They sort nicely and I can tell by the title what and when it was. >> >> > > This is an excellent naming convention. I would even insert an > underscore between the file name and the date: Jones_2005-01-02 > > Regarding floppies vs CD's, there is a concern that I have already > encountered. CD devices have become the target of virus creators. > There is a known virus out there now that causes a CD device to lock > up, and there are other viruses that cause CD devices to force your > system to reboot every time you try to eject some kinds of CDs. Also, > it seems wasteful to backup a 10Mb PAF file on a CD, so there is a > tendency to backup many versions on the same CD. That can be a > disaster if the CD becomes unreadable because you can lose a whole lot > of backups all at once. Since a CD does not come in a permanent > protective case as does a floppy, it is very easy to scratch one and > render it unreadable. > > Furthermore, there are several different CD read/write formats. And > you have the issue of leaving the CD open for adding more files to it > or closing it off to further additions. All these issues make CD's > something that can and will cause confusion. > > So what's the best way to backup? It really depends on how you work, > how big your file is, and what kind of system or systems you use. I > recommend using a mixture of several different methods to cover your > bases. The little USB thumb drives (flash drives) are coming down in > price so much that I strongly recommend using them. Unfortunately > they are hard to label since they are so tiny, but a 64Mb device can > be purchased for under $20 in quantity. The major advantage is that > there are NO moving parts and they are fast and reusable. I am > considering buying them in bulk and making them available to members > of the Silicon Valley Computer Genealogy Group at cost. > > Richard Rands > > > > ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== > Having trouble with the software? Check PAF 5.x Information > http://www.ausbdm.org/p5uinfo.php > >