Uses and Functions of USB Flash Drives
Flash drives serve the same purpose as the floppy disks of years ago. While they are much smaller in physical size, they have a much larger data capacity than floppy disks. They are also more durable. Other names for a USB flash drive are: flash drive, thumb drive, or sometimes just USB. However, “USB” actually refers to the type of port used to connect the drive to the computer. Also, since the device plugs in through the USB port, there is no need for a battery or any more wires to get mixed up with any thing else. These devices are simple to use and a convenient way to store and transport data from one computer to another. You can save and transport documents, pictures, PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets and pretty much any other data that you might want to save. They can also serve as a back up for important files in the event that anything happens to your computer. USB flash drives are very small (most are about the size of your thumb, hence the name!) and come in a variety of sizes, colors and designs. Many also come with a lanyard or a key ring so you do not lose it.
Using a flash drive is very easy. Simply plug the drive in to the USB port (it is a rectangular shaped port, usually on the front of the computer, but possibly on the back) and go to “my computer”. When that dialogue box opens there will be a subheading that will say something along the lines of “devices with removable storage”, under that heading you should see your flash drive icon. It will probably say “Flash drive” or something similar. Click on the icon and up will pop a window of everything you have stored there. Click on the file you want to access, and you are good to go! And they are so small that you can throw a bunch of them into each of your laptop bags so you always have some when you head off.
