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USB Thumb Drives as ... Fashion Statement?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the not-just-for-data-any-more dept.

The Fun Guy writes "The New York Times has discovered USB thumb drives: "In some cases, flash drives have suddenly become so commonplace that, as with cellphones, their owners are adding fashion touches [DNA must be on file to read] to lend them a personal identity." Apparently, the most important thing about thumb drives is not that they are cheap, fast, durable, easy to use or hold a lot of data, but that wearing one around your neck identifies you as one of the techno-congniscenti, especially if you personalize it with stickers."

5 of 455 comments (clear)

  1. No DNA Sample Required by romper · · Score: 4, Informative

    C|Net is carrying the same NYT story here.

    --
    Right is wrong when left is right.
  2. Re:"Durable"? by Lxy · · Score: 4, Informative

    Which manufacturers?

    I like the Sandisk cruzer mini. It's small, has a lanyard, and 3 multicolor caps. The only problem I've had with it is when I pulled it out while data was being written to it and I had to reformat it. If the light is blinking, don't pull it out! :-) If I could post a picture of mine, I would. It looks like it's been through a war, and it works flawlessly. Oh, and did I mention they're the cheapest ones out there?

    Sony Microvaults are complete crap, and Sony finally stopped making them. Lexar Jump drives are rumored to be poorly made, but I have no personal knowledge. Simpletech Bonzais work well, but they have a really ugly shape and size. Our users don't seem to care for them, even though they are reliable.

    As the drives are getting more popular, they're becoming cheaper. Hopefully the manufacturers don't sacrifice quality to compensate.

    --

    There is no reasonable defense against an idiot with an agenda
    :wq
  3. iomega usb thumb drives SUCKS by PhiberOptix · · Score: 5, Informative

    i dont know (or care) about stilish thumb drives, but one advice >>

    dont get near those crap iomega usb thumb drives. Our ti manager thought they looked cool, and bought about a dozen of them. 3 months later, all of them were broken and were replaced by cheaper and better ones made by kingston.

  4. JOGR 1GB... by Physics+Dude · · Score: 5, Informative
    This is the best thumb drive I've seen. It's waterproof, shockproof (encapsulated in superball material so it can take 1000G's of abuse). ;)

    Brand: JOGR
    Capacity: 1 GB
    Interface: USB 2.0
    Price: $105 shipped ;)

    I love this thing!

  5. Re:...and cost. by masoncooper · · Score: 4, Informative

    I got my PQI stick in last week and it's amazing! It's fast enough to compile off of and 1GB means it'll be a LONG time before you run out. The coolest part is that it come with a wallet insert so for the thickness of about 2.5 credit cards you can carry 2 sticks everywhere you go. Someone mentioned that Tiger Direct was sold out. I got mine from Surplus Computers, does anyone know why these cards have taken such a steep drop in price?