Don't Toss Those Floppies!

I am ashamed to admit it, but I have only recently joined the 21st century where computer technology is concerned. Despite the world zooming ever-faster toward technology that continues to shrink while growing more powerful, I held on to my practically outdated form of data storage. While more modern personal computers outfitted with CD-RW and DVD+RW hard drives were flowing off the personal computer assembly line, I clung to my PC that boasted a Windows ME operating system, a CD hard drive, and(drumroll)a floppy disk drive.

It's true--I have just made the leap toward owning a more modern PC within the last two years. But, my leap only occurred because a thunderstorm ended up frying the modem of my old PC. Sure, I could have had the internal modem replaced, or gotten an external modem, but I decided against both of those choices. So, my antiquated but beloved PC was finally pried from my hands, and I entered a new phase of data storage, kicking and screaming along the way.

But the possession of a more modern PC, one with a CD-Writer/DVD-ROM combo hard drive, expansion bay, and other slots for certain types of storage disks that I will probably never use, left me perplexed, at first, and in a dire state, as I wondered how I would ever be able to access the data stored on my floppy disks.

I remained worried until a simple solution hit me over the head, at last.

Before I share that solution, though, here are some uses that I considered for my antiquated but beloved floppy disks:

1. pairs of one of a kind earrings
2. coasters
3. ashtrays
4. paper weights
5. Frisbees
6. wall decorations
7. tea cup saucers
8. rulers
9. puzzle pieces
10. gemstones of one of a kind necklaces

Now, as promised, here is that simple solution: an external floppy disk drive.

I can see you rolling your eyes and asking is that it?! Well, yes, that's it. Since my new personal computer did not sport a floppy disk drive, I fretted about what I would do with my floppies and how I would access the data stored on the floppies until I discovered external floppy disk drives through research. After conducting a little more research, I decided to purchase an external floppy disk drive from an online store whose site made me feel safe in using my credit card. Three days after making my purchase, I received my external floppy drive.

If you find yourself in my former position, then try to conduct a bit of your own research to find the external floppy disk drive that suits your data storage needs and purchase that drive. Like me, you won't have to toss your floppies, after all.

I have come to embrace more modern technology, storing data on rewriteable compact discs and flash drives, but I also still find comfort in seeing an external floppy disk drive plugged into its USB 2.0 port on my new personal computer.

C. M. Clifton is a published fiction author as well as an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

Mobile Phone To Mobile Computer??

With the current mobile phone market in the UK reaching an all time high there seems to be a multitude of handsets on the market. New and updated models hit the market at a rate of around 4-5 per month. Many features seem to bundled into these phones as standard and the costs of making them has soared to the point that many of the mobile phone networks in the UK are now pushing for 18 month contracts to reduce the cost impact. Phone manufacturers are now having to make a choice between producing a handset that covers all the bases at a respectable level to those handsets designed to do an outstanding job in one particular area for a more specific user. How many times have you heard someone tell you that they dont use their camera, multi media messaging (MMS) or that they never listen to the radio function.

No sooner had the general public become accustomed to getting all this extra functionality from their phone, along comes 3G (3rd Generation) with its ability to offer mobile to mobile video calling and better access to internet resources it was almost certainly going to be a hit. The first real push in the 3G market in the UK came from a company who were specifically targeting this new generation of phones, aptly names Three.

A mobile without a camera these days is considered old and out of date, they are getting better and better the number of mega pixels (the higher the number the better quality picture you can take) seems to be getting larger each month and with it the storage capacity increases to cover the larger overheads. Very few models available in the market today are without the now standard features of a camera, sound recorder, alarm, internet browser and of course the much loved games. These days with the addition of organiser functions like calendars, task management and of course your contacts people rely more and more on their mobile.

For those people who are into music then Sony Ericson have released their Walkman phone W810i with a built in MP3 Player and fantastic handset design, or the W850 which also includes two way video calling.

Mobile phones are becoming more and more like a computer, with internet access, the ability to surf the web and pick up your emails, organise your diary and even the addition of instant messengers you really can hold your life in the palm of your hand.

If you want to take a look at what is on offer for the latest handsets and some of the best tariffs available on all the UKs major networks please visit - www.bestmobilesolutions.co.uk

Copyright Stuart Mitchell / Best Mobile Solutions 2006.