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From: Joerg on 2 May 2010 16:52 Tim Williams wrote: > Why doesn't anyone make small flash drives as replacements for floppies? > How is it that CDs are the only cheap disposable media? They're way the > hell too bulky. > Well, there's pocket CDs. Not sure if this is the right kind but it looks like it: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NHGP?tag=ahomeblog-20 As CD-RW they are boutique parts and quite expensive: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-8cm-CD-RW-3-Pack-3MCRW-156A/dp/B00005U241 At least they are smaller than floppies if that's what you are after. [...] -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ "gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam. Use another domain or send PM.
From: Spehro Pefhany on 2 May 2010 18:33 On Sun, 02 May 2010 13:52:29 -0700, the renowned Joerg <invalid(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: >Tim Williams wrote: >> Why doesn't anyone make small flash drives as replacements for floppies? >> How is it that CDs are the only cheap disposable media? They're way the >> hell too bulky. USB drives (small ones) can be cheaper than return postage. But not as cheap as DVDs. CDs are often more expensive than DVDs. >Well, there's pocket CDs. Not sure if this is the right kind but it >looks like it: > >http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NHGP?tag=ahomeblog-20 > >As CD-RW they are boutique parts and quite expensive: > >http://www.amazon.com/Sony-8cm-CD-RW-3-Pack-3MCRW-156A/dp/B00005U241 > >At least they are smaller than floppies if that's what you are after. > >[...] They work fine in most desktop computers, but they can't be used in the type of notebook drive that has just a slot (no tray). It's a bit irritating to get a bunch of them loaded with catalogs at a trade show and not be able to use them right away. Sometimes they're used to hold drivers on physically small products (eg. Bluetooth USB) so the package size doesn't get bloated. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff(a)interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
From: Joerg on 2 May 2010 19:18 Spehro Pefhany wrote: > On Sun, 02 May 2010 13:52:29 -0700, the renowned Joerg > <invalid(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: > >> Tim Williams wrote: >>> Why doesn't anyone make small flash drives as replacements for floppies? >>> How is it that CDs are the only cheap disposable media? They're way the >>> hell too bulky. > > USB drives (small ones) can be cheaper than return postage. But not as > cheap as DVDs. CDs are often more expensive than DVDs. > Yes, occasionally they are even doled out as a freebie. >> Well, there's pocket CDs. Not sure if this is the right kind but it >> looks like it: >> >> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NHGP?tag=ahomeblog-20 >> >> As CD-RW they are boutique parts and quite expensive: >> >> http://www.amazon.com/Sony-8cm-CD-RW-3-Pack-3MCRW-156A/dp/B00005U241 >> >> At least they are smaller than floppies if that's what you are after. >> >> [...] > > They work fine in most desktop computers, but they can't be used in > the type of notebook drive that has just a slot (no tray). > You could probably get them in, but not out again :-) > It's a bit irritating to get a bunch of them loaded with catalogs at a > trade show and not be able to use them right away. Sometimes they're > used to hold drivers on physically small products (eg. Bluetooth USB) > so the package size doesn't get bloated. > Many smaller laptops and the netbooks usually don't have a CD drive anymore. But most of this stuff is downloadable anyhow. -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ "gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam. Use another domain or send PM.
From: Charlie E. on 2 May 2010 20:07 On Sun, 02 May 2010 16:18:41 -0700, Joerg <invalid(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: >Spehro Pefhany wrote: >> On Sun, 02 May 2010 13:52:29 -0700, the renowned Joerg >> <invalid(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: >> >>> Tim Williams wrote: >>>> Why doesn't anyone make small flash drives as replacements for floppies? >>>> How is it that CDs are the only cheap disposable media? They're way the >>>> hell too bulky. >> >> USB drives (small ones) can be cheaper than return postage. But not as >> cheap as DVDs. CDs are often more expensive than DVDs. >> > >Yes, occasionally they are even doled out as a freebie. > > >>> Well, there's pocket CDs. Not sure if this is the right kind but it >>> looks like it: >>> >>> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NHGP?tag=ahomeblog-20 >>> >>> As CD-RW they are boutique parts and quite expensive: >>> >>> http://www.amazon.com/Sony-8cm-CD-RW-3-Pack-3MCRW-156A/dp/B00005U241 >>> >>> At least they are smaller than floppies if that's what you are after. >>> >>> [...] >> >> They work fine in most desktop computers, but they can't be used in >> the type of notebook drive that has just a slot (no tray). >> > >You could probably get them in, but not out again :-) > > >> It's a bit irritating to get a bunch of them loaded with catalogs at a >> trade show and not be able to use them right away. Sometimes they're >> used to hold drivers on physically small products (eg. Bluetooth USB) >> so the package size doesn't get bloated. >> > >Many smaller laptops and the netbooks usually don't have a CD drive >anymore. But most of this stuff is downloadable anyhow. I went to a recent power electronics show in Palm Spings recently, and came home with no less than four of them. Three of them were identlical, I think 2 gig, the fourth was a little, thin dohickey with 4 gig that the connector slid out from the sleeve to insert into the USB slot. I think there were others available at the show, but I stopped picking them up! If you look at them, most of them are pre-loaded with either software or app notes, using about 30-50% of the capacity. You can just erase that if you want more space, but it is nicer than another CD to try and store! Charlie
From: Tim Williams on 2 May 2010 20:36
"AZ Nomad" <aznomad.3(a)PremoveOBthisOX.COM> wrote in message news:slrnhts2q5.so8.aznomad.3(a)ip70-176-155-130.ph.ph.cox.net... > Better yet, give them a URL. Useful online, but only until links move and die. What if you wanted to include videos or sources with a formal document? Links don't work. In the old days you could send a floppy, and books are still being printed with CDs. But when a CD isn't suitable (>650MB, or physical size, or...), what then? Interesting related subject: large quantity products could be programmed in mask ROM instead of flash. Equivalent to CD-ROM. Example: send out a book, plus its electronic (searchable, interactive, etc.?) form. Chip manufacturers should make self contained flash, controller and ESD-protected dies, and create a package which is literally a USB plug with a die glued to it. Dab of epoxy and it's done, no more processing than a TQFP. Lugs could be provided to anchor/ground the plug into a larger device of familiar size. Come on, this isn't rocket science. Someone must've thought of this before*. Why should IC manufacturers let the assembly houses get all the money? They could charge peanuts for these, factory direct, and make a killing. Just imagine how many would sell on DealExtreme. *Copyright Tim Williams 2010, in this post, as prior art, where applicable Tim -- Deep Friar: a very philosophical monk. Website: http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms |