PERSONAL Data Transfer:
The most common use of flash drives is to transport and store personal files such as Movies, TV shows, documents, music, pictures and videos. Individuals also store medical alert information on MedicTag flash drives for use in emergencies and for disaster preparation.
System Administration:
Flash drives are particularly popular among system and network administrators, who load them with configuration information and software used for system maintenance, troubleshooting, and recovery. They have also replaced the need to carry a number of CD ROMs and installers which were needed when reinstalling or updating a system.
Application Carriers
Flash drives are used to carry applications that run on the host computer without requiring installation.
Computer Forensics and Law enforcement
A recent development for the use of a USB Flash Drive as an application carrier is to carry the (COFEE) application developed by Microsoft. COFEE is a set of applications designed to search for and extract digital evidence on computers confiscated from suspects
Booting Operating Systems
Most current PC firmware permits booting from a USB drive, allowing the launch of an operating system from a bootable flash drive. Such a configuration is known as a live USB.
While a Live USB could be used for general-purpose applications, size and memory wear make them poor choices compared to alternatives. They are more suited to special-purpose or temporary tasks, such as:
• Loading a minimal, hardened kernel for embedded applications (e.g. network router, firewall).
• Bootstrapping an operating system install or disk cloning operation, often across a network.
• Maintenance tasks, such as virus scanning or low-level data repair, without the primary host operating system loaded.
Audio Players
Many companies make small solid-state digital audio players, essentially producing flash drives with sound output and a simple user interface. Some of these players are true USB flash drives as well as music players; others do not support general-purpose data storage.
Media Players
Many companies make small solid state digital media players essentially producing Flash Drives with a streaming output and simple user interface allowing movies, videos, television programs, etc to be viewed on the Television from a USB Flash Drive.
Music Storage and Marketing
Digital Audio Files can be transported from one computer to another like any other file, and played on a compatible media player. In addition, many home Hi Fi and car stereo units are now equipped with a USB port. This allows a USB flash drive containing media files in a variety of formats to be played directly on devices which support the format.
Gaming
Many of the common gaming platforms, ie Xbox, Playstation, etc allow USB Flash drives to transfer and store data, view external media like movies and video, etc.
SmartPhones
USB Flash Drives allow the movement of data, storage of data and use of temporary programs for use on some Smart phones
Mobile Computing
USB Flash drives are used with Modern Computer Tablets and readers to move, store and backup data, plus operate temporary programs and systems without having to download to the device
Data Backup and Storage
Some value added resellers are now using a flash drive as part of small-business turnkey solutions (e.g. point of sale systems). The drive is used as a backup medium: at the close of business each night, the drive is inserted, and a database backup is saved to the drive. Alternatively, the drive can be left inserted through the business day, and data regularly updated. In either case, the drive is removed at night and taken offsite.
• This is simple for the end-user, and more likely to be done;
• The drive is small and convenient, and more likely to be carried off-site for safety;
• The drives are less fragile mechanically and magnetically than tapes;
• The capacity is often large enough for several backup images of critical data;
• And flash drives are cheaper than many other backup systems.
Brand and Product Promotion
The availability of inexpensive flash drives has enabled them to be used for promotional, Brand building, marketing and educational purposes. USB Flash Drives may be given away for free, sold at less than wholesale price, or included as a bonus with another purchased product.
Usually, such drives will be custom-stamped with a company's logo, business, product or service, as a form of advertising to increase mind share and brand or product awareness.
Flash drives can be set up to automatically launch stored presentations, websites, articles, and any other software immediately on insertion of the drive using the Microsoft. Windows AutoRun feature. Auto running software this way does not work on all computers, and is normally disabled by security-conscious users.
A full range of Promotional USB Flash Drives in both type and storage capacity are available.
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