USB drive storage-your input

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
ed4copies

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,734
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
WAY OFF the topic of pens. But, I want to start a library of USB storage "thingys". We can buy these 2 gig devices for $10 each - seems like a great way to start a library of service manuals. Each manufacturer will have one "thingy" for their manuals. We have about 10 manufacturers of copiers, so I need a board to hold 10 "USB storage" devices. My initial thought was to store them vertically. As I look at the device, however, maybe horizontal makes more sense, since that would allow more space for labelling.

Entertaining ideas ---- gimme sum!!! pleze
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Any particular reason you wanted to use USB drives?

You can buy a Terrabyte external hard drive now for less than a $100.00.
 
Ed,
The jump drives usually have a slot or hole to attach a lanyard to. You could attach a jump ring (like a key ring, only smaller) to the device using a braided cord such as fishing line. Then these could be hung from cup hooks screwed into a board.
 
Easier to carry around, tech can take with him.

Also, with each manufacturer separate, less confusion of model numbers when looking for a specific manual.
 
Dario,

Thanks!!! I will only need about 10, but in the PERFECT world, a couple would be larger than 2 gig. Manuals are about 75 megs each, these days. And every copier has at LEAST two manuals - some have TEN!!

But, this would sure beat carrying around the books or CD's (scratch and break)
 
Ed,

Just my $0.02, but coming from a tech support background, I would prefer to have one large capacity thumb drive with all of the manuals, than a different thumb drive for each vendor.

With a few minutes of planning, you can create a directory structure on your local computer and organize the manuals in any fashion that you like. You can then copy that entire directory structure to the thumb drive (or multiple drives). As you receive new manuals, update the "library" on your local computer and then ask the tech to update their thumb drive. This is the method that I have always used, and has worked well for 15+ years in the IT world.

I will also pass along one of my favorite web sites. This site is updated daily, and will give you information on some of the best deals in multiple categories.

http://dealnews.com/

Brad
 
A gigabyte is 1,000,000,000 bytes (1,073,741,824 to be exact) and a megabyte is 1,024,000 bytes. A 2 gigabyte drive should hold 279 manuels if they are 75 megabytes each. One of them should do the job for all 10 manufacturers shouldn't it?
 
Ed, I'm thinking like Brad. Say you send a tech out on a call and he encounters six different brands. He's in great shape if he has all six of his thingies but wouldn't it be easier for him to just worry about keeping up with one?

And while you're at it, would a "Backup" source such as a website be ideal so when the goes off on a call and leaves his thingy or thingies at the office, or his thingy malfunctions and he's 46 miles away with a customer, he can log on and grab what he needs from the web. Afterall, the web is everywhere now right... they could even view the data on their cell phones!

Just thinking out loud... since business is my forte anymore! :biggrin: :biggrin:
 
Texatdurango said:
Ed, I'm thinking like Brad. Say you send a tech out on a call and he encounters six different brands. He's in great shape if he has all six of his thingies but wouldn't it be easier for him to just worry about keeping up with one?

And while you're at it, would a "Backup" source such as a website be ideal so when the goes off on a call and leaves his thingy or thingies at the office, or his thingy malfunctions and he's 46 miles away with a customer, he can log on and grab what he needs from the web. Afterall, the web is everywhere now right... they could even view the data on their cell phones!

Just thinking out loud... since business is my forte anymore! :biggrin: :biggrin:
Click to expand...

All I can say is that I always know where my thingy is, and I'm not going anywhere without it....... :eek:
 
ed4copies said:
Pull over and do a craft show, George!@!!

Pretty good suggestions for an old, cast off guy tho'
Click to expand...
Pull over? I'm not on the road now, I'm working my tail off in my sweat shop 15+ hours a day without proper breaks or meals just to see the light of day! If it weren't for the microwave next to my workbench in my shop to heat my water for my afternoon tea, I don't know how I'd make it! :biggrin:
 
Hi Ed!

I applaud your innovative thinking on this! But I would side with Brad. Set up all your manuals in a directory structure on your hard drive, see how big that all is, buy a thumb drive about twice that size (as room for future expansion) and then transfer it all and keep all your manuals on one drive. Get two for each tech, one to carry and one to switch out when updates are made. Memory is cheap these days. I bought an 8gig thumb drive after Thanksgiving for $16, and I'm sure they're cheaper now. The only labeling you'd need to do is to put the tech's name on them.

Have fun with this!

Scott.
 
Texatdurango said:
Pull over? I'm not on the road now, I'm working my tail off in my sweat shop 15+ hours a day without proper breaks or meals just to see the light of day! If it weren't for the microwave next to my workbench in my shop to heat my water for my afternoon tea, I don't know how I'd make it! :biggrin:
Click to expand...

You'd make your tea in a teapot on a hot fire!!!


Sorry Scott, I couldn't read YOUR entry through the tears. POOR GEORGE!!

(He was born with a silver foot in his mouth!!) Only the old will remember this quote.
 
Last edited:
Ed,

You are welcome. Anytime I am buying new tech, I check there first. Actually, I check it each day in case there was something I did not know that I needed:biggrin:

They also list other things such as clothes and tools. I found a great jacket from Cabela's there for $7.88. Nice and warm!!
 
Ed... Put me in the camp for a smaller number of thumb drives, each with ALL the manuals on it.

You will find organizing files in directories easier and better than organizing physical drives.

You could order a small number of drives (one for each person and a spare). It would be really easy to have a master 'library'. You could then 'sync' the library out to the drives when you have updates QUICKLY.

Either way.. Newegg.com may be a bit overwhelming, but they have drives of any size at good prices EVERY day... from $3.99 1 gig ones to $9.99 free shipping 4 gig ones.

And the web site backup idea is pretty good too. I can help you with a private web site for your techs to be able to get at this if you want. You know how to reach me for mor about that.
 
Ed,

There were very few ideas about how to organize your thumb drives.

I would suggest that you have a corner in your desk drawer in which to throuw them.

No thanks are necessary.
 
Cav,

I believe the forum has OBSOLETED my idea!!!

So much for TODAY - now I have to work on a DIFFERENT idea for NEXT week.
 
Ed,

I can't resist this one.

If you have a tech who is particularly annoying, or you want to prank one in some fashion, order one of these for him to carry around. It will be obvious that he is in the dog house.

Brad
 
jnelson said:
Ed,

I can't resist this one.

If you have a tech who is particularly annoying, or you want to prank one in some fashion, order one of these for him to carry around. It will be obvious that he is in the dog house.

Brad
Click to expand...

ROFL - actually Dawn might like that one!:cool:

Back to a storage note - Most have either a necklace OR keychain mount. I'd recommend a "keys" style hanging board. Hang them on a wall in an obvious spot. This would be good if you get 4 or 10.

Dean
 
We could use the Panda, but if you find a DOG, we will use it for the brands we don't like!!

Thanks for all the input. I'm in "considering mode".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom