The many features of a USB Pen Drive
USB drives are great to transfer data from one computer to another. While many IT professionals already use memory sticks for advanced functionality, many consumers don’t even know that additional functionality exist. For example, you can host a lot of mobile applications on your pen drive. One of the most popular applications for this purpose is the portable Firefox. Firefox is a great open source web browser and the portable version allows you to use it even on locked down computers at work or in a public library. Just plug-in the memory stick and off you go. Even more applications are available – Such as FTP software.
If you develop websites, it would be a great idea to install a LAMP configuration on your memory stick to use it on multiple computers. LAMP basically means installing Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. One install and you can carry your development environment with you at any time. It’s even possible to install an OS on your USB stick.
Another great feature is that you can use your memory stick for increased computer security. This is one of my favorites actually. Search the web for the Predator application and you can turn your USB stick into a device that is needed to log into your computer. Once you pull the USB stick out, nobody can log into your computer. The USB Stick (and the associated application) is needed to unlock your computer.
USB memory sticks can be used to be a multimedia player or as a movie player with movie library. If you run Windows Vista a memory stick can be used to expand your computer’s memory – as long as it is Ready Boost certified. Many older computers cannot carry more physical memory and so the memory expansion via USB memory stick is a cheap and easy way to make that old computer go the extra mile and to reduce the need for a new computer.
