I have a box of assorted 1GB and 4GB USB drives.

Funny how stuff you’ve had for years just feels “normal” even when it’s highly unusual.

  • remon@ani.social
    1·
    1 day ago

    I guess the storage space of the box isn’t an issue there is no acute reason to throw them way … but it feels like hoarding. I see no good reason to keep them.

    They are not reliable long-term storage. Any file that I want to retain long term goes on a redundant disk array with data scrubbing and a proper backup.

    But even if I want to store something temporarily on an USB stick, I’d just use my single 512GB stick (which costs $40 these days) instead of having to potentially plug in dozens or hundreds of low capacity sticks.

    • Cevilia (she/they/…)@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, I throw them away as they break, and I’m not planning to replace them. I just find them incredibly handy as a means of quick and easy data transfer without pissing around with network shares.

      • Prathas@lemmy.zip
        1·
        15 hours ago

        pissing around with network shares.

        What? Why is that a concern when we have tools like Transfer, Mozilla Send instances, etc.? I literally even just use Bluetooth at times.

        I once had a USB flash drive break because the exterior detached from the rest of the body in the housing by, like, 1mm while pulling it out; all the files on it were instantly, permanently lost. I will never again use physical file-transfering that involves frequent insertion and removal if I can avoid it, because you’re physically stressing the unit every time you pull on it (a drive that is always connected is totally fine, by comparison).

      • remon@ani.social
        2·
        1 day ago

        I just find them incredibly handy as a means of quick and easy data transfer without pissing around with network shares.

        Yep, that is why I have one on my key chain. But there is really no need to have more than that.

        • Cevilia (she/they/…)@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
          2·
          1 day ago

          You do know they have limited write cycles, right? Not getting at you or anything. Just checking. I’ve had a handful flip over to read-only mode over the years, would hate for that to happen to anyone else unexpectedly.

          • notarobot@lemmy.zip
            2·
            1 day ago

            Doesn’t larger storage mean that it lasts longer since it can better balance wear on the cells?

          • remon@ani.social
            2·
            1 day ago

            You do know they have limited write cycles, right?

            If you ever reach that limit, well done. You got a hell of value out of that device.

            I have SSDs that are in use 24/7, writing up to 200GB per day and in constant use for 3 years. 99% drive health.